SHOPPING WITH A TEENAGE GIRL IS LIKE BEING DRAGGED THROUGH HELL. Tate could confirm that as he stood impatiently waiting for his sister to finish up trying on dresses.

"How far are you" he groaned, they were at Ilarias favorite store in town and she rolled her eyes while turning around to look at the dress she had on.

She bit her lip, she'd tried on 5 others - she wanted one that wouldn't make her look out of place at a college party, one that would make her look right at home.

The dress she had on was a burgandy red, silk with a open back. It shaped her body perfectly and brought out the deep brown of her skin, she tilted her head and examined herself one more time before deciding it was the right dress.

She quickly changed and stepped outside "I helped you buy an anniversary gift so your girlfriend won't run away, as far as I'm concerned I could've left you waiting for 3 hours"

"it's been 2" Tate rolled his eyes and instinctively took the dress from Ilaria aswell as her other bags.

"you're such a sweet brother sometimes" Ilaria teased as they went to the till "you're paying by the way"

"no I'm not!" Tate glared at her "I just spent enough on Sophie's gift, come on."

"don't keep this nice lady waiting" Ilaria said leaning on the counter with a grin at the woman behind it.

With a defeated sigh her brother paid for her dress and shoved her bags at her "you're an asshole."

Ilaria laughed and kissed him on the cheek "and you're a life saver"

As they got into Tates car her brother turned to her seriously "college opens soon, I won't be here to take you to therapy. Promise you won't skip?"

Ilaria hummed and tapped at her chin, as though in thought. Her brother glared at her impatiently. She grinned at him "I won't skip"

"I don't trust you" he told her with a shake if his head, Ilaria frowned - she messed up a couple times but she never broke a promise. Ever.

"I'm serious, I won't skip" she told him and hoped he could hear the sincerity in her voice.

Tate nodded and pulled out of the driveway, on the way home they spoke about all sorts of things. Argued the way siblings usually argued and laughed the way siblings would at an inside joke they'd had for ages.

It was a profoundly deep relationship that one had with a sibling, you get annoyed at them, you fight, you get angry, might even wish that you didn't have one but then you wonder what you'd do without a sibling. What would life be without that overwhelming sense to protect them at all costs.

They stopped oustide their house and Ilaria got out after wishing Tate goodluck with his girlfriend and made her way inside.

The weather had gotten warmer so Ilaria was hoping she wouldn't freeze to death in her dress, her mother was at work but she told Kai to pick her up 2 hours before the party just for extra measure.

Her mother wouldn't let her out in a dress, come hell or high water.

She sighed and flopped onto her bed, her face buried in her pillow. Her brain was in shambles, every night, she dreamt of that cabin and that man and everyday she couldn't figure out why.

But if her instinct was correct then she knew whoever had been showing up in her dreams and she'd been to that cabin before.

Ilaria had no remembrance of a cabin from her childhood before and she'd tried convincing herself that maybe it was just her brain messing with her, that dealing with so much death, so much mystery - was just messing her up.

The nagging feeling in her gut told her otherwise. They were getting closer to finding them... So why did she feel so far from it?

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"Its been literally an hour, Ilaria - what are you doing, making the dress?" Kais voice floated from oustide his bathroom door and Ilaria let out a laugh, she was just finishing up the last of her makeup but just because he was complaining she decided to wait a good ten minutes longer before going out.

With one last glance at her dress, which she'd paired with two gold necklaces, a few rings and black doc Martin's to tone down the fanciness she decided it would just have to do.

Her hair was left curly but she immediately regretted it as she unlocked the door, there was no way Kai was going to resist messing it up - no matter how much she protested.

She stepped out, still looking down while shoving her extra lip gloss in her handbag. When Ilaria looked up Kai was already staring at her.

"you look... Nice" he said and shoved his arms through his leather jacket.

"NICE!? DUDE I JUST SPENT AN HOUR GETTING READING?" Ilaria groaned.

"we're investigating a murder not going to a fashion show" Kai rolled his eyes, a smile was playing on his lips though "okay so maybe you look a little more than nice"

Ilaria shoved him at the shoulder "you look nice too"

Kais eyebrows shot up "I put in zero effort"

Ilaria shook her head and stepped closer to him, grabbed his glasses off his desk. She slid them on for him, standing on her tip toes since Kai was much taller than her.

"hey, those are breaking my bad boy persona" Kai pouted.

"you give off absolutely zero bad boy vibes no matter what you do"

"my feelings are hurt."

"i like the glasses" Ilaria told him fluffing his hair.

"in that case, I'll wear them everyday" he replied with a grin.

"oh you smitten boy" Ilaria teased and shifted her bag over her arm before turning to leave.

Once oustide the party, Ilaria could hear the music from where they were parked she looked up at the building of the all boys college with distaste. She hated parties, they were loud and sweaty and just not her scene.

Sometimes one has to do a number of distasteful things to get the job done.

"one, stay close to me. Two, don't go near the drinks, they spike shit at parties like these all the time, three don't go off anywhere alone." Kai  counted down on his fingers.

"someone's protective" She chimed and got out of the car, Kais door shutting followed suit soon after.

"need I remind you there are two serial killers on the lose" he threw up his arms exasperated, following on Ilarias heels.

"yes yes I know that" Ilaria stopped dead at the entrance "this better be worth it"

Kai frowned "I'm being serious, don't leave my side."

Ilaria grinned "I won't, I'm just messing with you now can we go get this over with?" she didn't wait for his reply before pushing the door open.

The music immediately deafened her and she resisted the urge to cover her ears, the feint smell of vape and sweat filled the air making her nose crinkle, there were people dancing, some sitting around doing WAY too much to not be in a room by then and some just sat drinking and talking.

Her eyes scanned over the crowd, searching for someone who fit the picture of Michael that l Kai had so happily found through yet again hacking the fbi. She really had to tell him to slow down on that.

He slipped his hand in hers and she tried ignoring how amazing his hand felt in hers, how perfectly their hands fit like the last two pieces in a puzzle.

"is that necessary?" she said "you're chasing away all my potential boyfriends"

"good"

Ilaria rolled her eyes and dragged Kai through the crowd, the best view over everyone was the kitchen so she took him there.

"no drinks" Kai said "we can't be  drunk and trying to find a killer"

Ilaria shrugged and looked around, she ran a hand through her hair "what if he's not here?"

"he's here" Kai replied, he had let go of her hand but still stood close - he leaned against a counter, arms crossed, eyes focused and Ilaria did the same.

They'd been standing there for Atleast 10 minutes when a blonde girl showed up, she reached behind Kai for a glass and Ilaria scoffed - she could've asked him to move.

The girl smiled at Kai "you new here?" she was tall and extremely pretty but Kai paid no mind - he simply nodded his head.

"are you here with anyone?" she continued, still standing extremely close to Kai, Ilaria could smell her perfume from where she stood.

Before Kai could answer Ilaria did "so apparently I'm invisible, that's funny isn't it?" she looked up at Kai and he chuckled and tugged at a piece of her hair - a habit that Ilaria had accepted he'll never get rid of, Kai turned back to the girl with a lazy smile "that answer your question?"

The girl bit her lip and frowned "if you want, you can come find me, over at the pools"

"I'll have to pass on that offer" Kai grinned and with a spin of her heels she left.

Ilaria relaxed and shifted closer to Kai, she didn't know why - oh who was she kidding? She knew exactly why she felt that twisted annoyance at any of the girls who tried speaking to Kai, she'd shot so many glares at so many girls for the night she feared her face was going to freeze that way.

Kai laughed and fluffed her hair "are you jealous, agent?"

"no" Ilaria lied "but we have to focus you can't do that if you're paying attention to girls"

Kai smirked "the only girl I'm paying attention to happens to be 5'4 and chasing away all my 'potential girlfriends'" he air quoted Ilarias previous words.

Ilarias cheeks burned and she'd just begun answering when Kai pointed behind her "looks like Michael found us"

And indeed he was grinning at Ilaria in a way that made her want to run and never look back "I haven't seen a pretty face like yours in a while"

He was tall with bright blonde hair and green eyes, Ilaria wanted to slap him - to think this was the man who'd lifted his hand to Kenna before.

Michael reached out a hand to touch her arm and she moved back "well, that's a shame" Ilaria answered "I supposed Kenna's was the last, hmm?"

He visibly tensed and Ilaria grinned triumphantly but he covered it up and pulled on a strand of Ilarias hair, harder than was necessary "such pretty hair"

"don't touch her" Kai pulled Ilaria back "and don't lie to her either, you're going to follow us outside and you're going to answer all her questions and if you try touching her again i will personally make sure you go home crying or in a coma, whatever works."

Michael stared at Kai, suddenly taken back as if he only then realized Kai was standing there "now step back" Kai said slowly eyeing the proximity between Ilaria and Michael.

"and if I don't?" Michael spat.

Kai looked around at the party, seemingly not paying much attention to Michael "I guess we'll just have to see."

There was a beat of silence and Ilaria swore she would start choking on the testosterone levels filling the air but Michael stepped back and Kai spun around, his hand was back in Ilarias as they made their way outside.

Ilaria leaned up on her tiptoes to talk in his ear so he'd hear over the music "now look who's jealous" Kai never answered her but he smiled, she turned around briefly to make sure Michael was still following and he was, surprisingly.

Once oustide Kai shrugged his jacket off and handed it to Ilaria, Michael stopped infront of them.

"what is this about?" he asked impatiently "I'm shit faced right now"

Ilaria slapped him "that help sober you up?"

Michael glared at her, his hands balled into fists and Ilaria smiled at him.

"that's for Kenna"

"what?"

Ilaria examined her nails with a sigh "this would go so much faster if you didn't attempt acting stupid"

Michael clenched his jaw "Look bitch"

"say that again" Kai stepped closer with barely contained rage.

Ilaria rolled her eyes"Kai, we have questions you can do whatever you want when we're done"

Kai stepped back and gestured for her to go on.

"you were with Kenna the day before she died, yes?" Ilaria asked cutting straight to the chase.

Michael nodded, his face contoured  in confusion "yeah."

"you abused her, correct?" Ilaria twirled a ring on her finger, leaning half of her body weight against Kai for warmth.

She never gave him time to answer "like you abused all the others before her."

Michaels eyes lit up, his jaw was clenched, his lips pursed "watch what you say." he said lowly "I didn't touch  your friend"

Kai grinned and elbowed Ilaria "listen to that, first he has no idea what this is about and now he knows you were her friend?" he looked at Michael with a tilt of his head "I said don't lie to us, you're making yourself look stupid"

Ilaria could see Michael's anger simmering, a anger that Kenna had surely felt for longer than Ilaria could even be sure.

"did you enjoy it?" Kai pushed "did you like the feeling of making her scared, making her watch her every word?"

Ilaria piped in "did you like that she started taking drugs because of you? Was it so fun to buy roofies right infront of her and just know she'll be too far gone to even noticed, to even ask what you're using them for?"

Kai was rigidly still, Michael was getting too close to him, he was barely holding himself back - Ilaria could tell the only reason Kai hadn't already punched Michael in the face is because they needed a reaction from Michael.

If they got a reaction from Michael, they'd know he's one of the killers.

"how much of a low life scum bag do you have to be" Kai tsked "does it make you feel powerful? To take advantage of someone who you know isn't playing your game."

That was it for Michael to snap, for that tape holding his anger together to break, for him to give himself away.

He punched Kai so fast Ilaria never saw it coming but Kai was faster and before she knew it, Kai had Michael pinned under him, he was punching Michael repeatedly - Ilaria didn't try stopping him - she knew Kai well enough to know that he'd come to his senses soon enough and besides, Michael deserved every blow he was dealt.

She was feintly aware of the crowd surrounding them, of the flash lights going off but she couldn't have cared less.

When Kai stopped Michaels face was so bloodied and bruised she could almost feel that pain for him - Kai leaned his face closer, almost like he was about to kiss Michael and then he smiled.

"don't ever fucking cross me ever again" Kai told him and pushed himself up, Michael must've been extremely disoriented because he didn't even try going after them as Ilaria and Kai left, aware that the crowd around them were watching them all the way back to the car.

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They drove back to Kai's place, he was so unusually quiet Ilaria didn't know what to do with herself so she sat down on his bed and stared out of the  window.

They got a reaction out of Michael, Kai must've read enough to pick up that Michael had to be there second guy, she certainly had - but she didnt know if it was the same for Kai . He hadn't spoke yet. He was standing by his door, only his cheek was bruised from where Michael punched him, his hands were bruised and Ilaria couldn't tell if the blood on his knuckles was more his or Michaels.

Kai seemed to be collecting himself, a minute or two had passed and Ilaria had zoned out so much that she didn't notice Kai moving over to her until he dropped on his knees infront of her and crossed his arms over her thighs.

He leaned his head against his arms and let out a shaky breath, his whole body was still shaking, the anger that had consumed him earlier still lingered"I'm sorry"

"for?" Ilaria asked completely startled.

"I shouldn't have lost it like that" he mumbled, his head still on his arms like he was too tired to lift it "I just blacked out, it used to happen alot after my parents. You have no idea how long it took me to control all this rage" he looked up at her "I'm not sorry for what I did to Michael but I didn't want you seeing me that way"

"sometimes people lose control" Ilaria rested her forehead against his "I don't see how I can blame you."

"I just don't want you to view me any differently, that's not who I am."

"now why, pretty boy, would I do that? You're still my boy genius, I wouldn't view you different"

Kai stayed quiet, his body had stopped shaking so he must've calmed down, Ilaria tilted his chin up so he could look at her, she carefully traced his bruise and shook her head "there's nothing wrong with losing it sometimes, if we didn't then we'd all go insane"

"so, you think he's our guy? Well one of them?"

Kai nodded "I do but now we have to figure out how to prove that" there was a long brief silence, both of them processing the fact that they may have just found one of their killers, that the silent war they'd been fighting could almost be over.

Kai smiled slowly "and to think you thought I should stay away from you."

Ilaria shrugged "still do but I'd probably chain you up if you tried that now"

"that's very dirty of you, agent"

Ilaria laughed and ruffled his hair "go wash your hands"

"yes mam" he said and pushed himself up, suddenly lighter

"I'm keeping this jacket by the way" Ilaria told him "it looks better on me anyway"

"whatever makes you happy, agent" Kai called back.

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Hey heyy

Saw this and immediately thought of Ilaria and Kai :

What do you guys think of this chapter?

I had so much fun writing it cuz Ilaria and Kai are just so chaotic lmao also Ilaria is an actual QUEEN😭also the fact that Kai was KNEELING infront of her made me so giddy idk

What do you think of Ilaria and Tate?

I'm sorry if my writing sucks more than usual in this  I've been having major writers block

But 3000 words? let's goooooo

Okay don't forget to comment and vote if you enjoyed this chapter

love you guys <3