The Freedom Search: Kai & Gloria's Story (Search Series Book 4) (3 page)

“Don’t go there, Gloria,” she whispered. “Kai Lukas it double trouble.” She tried to explain things to her heart, but just the thought of Kai sent her heart into a tailspin.

‘Shit. Fuck. Damn. She was a goner.’

Kai

He didn’t go straight home, he couldn’t. He drove around for hours trying to clear his head of everything Gloria Keller.

When he finally walked through the front door of his house he knew it wouldn’t be good. “Where the hell have you been?” his father snapped.

“Driving around,” Kai hissed.

“Did you fuck that human?” Kai’s eyes widened and he quickly shook his head.

“Please, dad, I’m not a moron,” Kai snapped, storming past him.

“I’m not done with you!” His dad hollered after him. Kai didn’t even acknowledge him. He had to get away. He needed a cold shower, because the truth was, he should’ve jumped Gloria one more time before leaving. Kai knew he was screwed, but that didn’t change things. He would use her and get some benefits out of it. When Raiden was taken down Kai would walk away. If he was strong enough.

Gloria

It was early and the knocking on her door was causing a pounding headache. She climbed out of bed and didn’t even bother to throw her robe over her pajamas, if you could call what she slept in that. She assumed it would be her mother.

Gloria had moved from the capitol to Aishan two years ago when she was just twenty-two. She needed to get away from her mother’s toxic personality. Sadly though, Gloria was already so far gone she masked her feelings with
‘the bitch.’

“Where are you going, Gloria!” her mom hissed through the cigarette smoke.

“I’m moving,” Gloria replied distantly.

“Where the fuck are you moving to?” Her mother snapped standing up.

“I got a job in Aishan.” Gloria just wanted to get out before…well before her mother got madder.

“How the hell can you afford that?” She staggered in her drunken state towards Gloria.

“The money dad left me, I’ve saved it!” she snapped. Her mother gently stroked her cheek and Gloria flinched because she knew what was coming. The gentleness always was followed… ‘SLAP’! The force caused Gloria to fall against the wall.

“You ungrateful little slut. Trust me, you are nothing. You are me. You will never be anything, but a bitch.” Her mother’s words caused her to wince more than the slap across the face did. “Get the fuck out!” she hissed one last time and Gloria didn’t need a second invitation, she rushed out the door. Her car had been packed while her mother was passed out earlier. She wasn’t looking back, she was done.

Kai

He got up earlier than usual and showed up at her door. Sitting on the sidewalk outside her apartment trying to figure out what he was doing. “Playing with fire, Lukas. This is playing with fire.” He muttered to himself pulling a drag on his smoke. He only smoked when he was stressed and he had a feeling he was about to become a chain smoker. It was still early, but he felt enough time had passed. He had a proposition for Gloria Keller. One that would most likely sink his ass, but it was worth a try.

“Time to play your hand,” he whispered as he knocked on her door
and waited for it to open. “Kai?” She asked in wonderment and confusion.

“Good morning, doll,” he said leaning in to give her a quick kiss.

“Come in. I wasn’t expecting you this early,” she said as his mouth left hers stepping to the side.

He rung his hands. This was something he had been thinking about since he left her yesterday. Now she just had to go for it.
“What can I do for you, Lukas?” she asked bringing him back from his thoughts.

He gave her a smile and rung his hands again before turning away from her. “I want to make a deal,” he finally said.

Gloria

She crossed her arms in front of her. Kai Lukas wanted to make a deal. Somehow she didn’t think this was going to be good. “Lukas, what kind of a deal?” she questioned with her bitchy tone, trying to hide the fact that she was scared and thrilled at the same time.

He faced her before speaking. “You know I can see right through that,” he sneered.

“See through what?” she hissed. If that was his game she could play it.

“Don’t even, doll.” He laughed.

She shook her head, “What’s this deal?” She still was playing ‘the bitch’ around Kai Lukas. She needed to be careful he was likely to use her then spit her out.

“Yes, that,” he purred. “I enjoyed yesterday and I want to continue that...”

“But...” She cut him off leaning against her apartment door.

“But, doll,” he said walking towards her. “I need your help; no questions asked.” She inhaled at his closeness.

“And, we could...” She gulped unable to think clearly.

“Yes, doll,” he leaned in even closer. “You and I can do whatever we want. However, I’m very possessive.” He growled in her ear. She swallowed hard losing her edge, losing her bitch. When Kai Lukas talked like that it was impossible.

“No questions asked,” she repeated.

“No questions asked,” he answered, trailing his lips across her cheek and meeting her lips. She opened her mouth and allowed his tongue to slip inside. His fingers dug into her hips as he pulled her closer. She started for the button on his jeans when he stalled her.

“No,” he growled. “We have somewhere we need to be.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the apartment.

She was disappointed but reminded herself,
‘no questions asked.’

Kai

As usual, Kai had driven by Raiden’s place this morning. He noticed Raiden was leaving with the new girl arm-in-arm. No doubt, Prince Charming was giving her the grand tour. This was going to be Gloria’s first test. Kai needed Raiden rattled.

He drove towards the park, no doubt with the market setup today he would take her there.

“So, doll, did you catch a name?” He asked as he looked around for them.

“Huh?” she questioned. This was one he’d have to answer.

“The girl, doll, outside Raiden’s. Did you get a name?” he restated.

“No sorry, just warned her to get out of line because he wasn’t looking,” she spat out bitterly. Good, that was the emotion he wanted or was it? Did he want her to be bitter about Raiden? In truth, HELL NO. He wanted her to be his, but if the bitterness towards Raiden made this easier on her, then he for sure needed that in order to play the game.
He finally stopped the car spotting Raiden and whoever she was.

“There.” He pointed. Gloria turned her focus towards him and the direction he was pointing.

“Ha!” I knew it.

“Go confront them. Get a name if you can, doll. I really need a name.”

“What?” She asked, but he shook her off and nodded towards the car door. He knew she wanted answers but they had a deal. He would keep her warm at night in exchange for helping him no questions asked.

Gloria

She wanted to know more, almost forgetting that she agreed to no questions asked. She would’ve agreed to anything at that moment Kai had her pinned against door; his breath warm on her neck, she was on fire. She needed him so her task was to do what Kai said and get rewarded for it in the process.

She walked towards Raiden and whoever she was, stopping when Raiden’s hand came to her cheek. “Yes, Tai we are.” Okay, check one,
‘get her name.’
She had that now. Check two,
‘confrontation’.
What was she supposed to say? She didn’t know, but seeing him so affectionate with her sent a searing pain through her. He tossed her out like a stray dog only to take in this...this....whatever she was.

“So you were in line for him?” she hissed from behind the new girl.

Raiden glared, “Gloria, leave us the fuck alone.”

She watched Tai jump at the harshness in her tone. Hopefully this was what Kai wanted.
Raiden leaned in and whispered something to Tai. Gloria couldn’t hear it though, all of this was making her boil. “What are you doing, Raiden?” she questioned, it was the first time she had actually seen Raiden Wyrick on a date.

“I was on a date, but I could ask you the same question, Gloria. What are you doing talking about me to Kai?” Gloria was a little shocked Raiden knew she had been talking to Kai and she wanted to make a mental note to talk with Kai, but she had to remember their deal. Tai looked confused about the mention of Kai, maybe this was what Kai wanted.

“Kai and I have known each other a while. He found me yesterday while I was bitching about you. so I talked to him. What’s it matter to you?” Tai was staring at Raiden trying to gauge something. Had she created doubt?

“Look, do whatever the hell you want but don’t mention my name to Kai.” Raiden snapped. “And just so you know, he isn’t the good guy he pretends to be. Come on, Tai, let’s go get some lunch.” Gloria watched Raiden drag Tai away. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“I hope you know what you are doing, Gloria Keller” she admonished herself. She knew Kai Lukas was trouble. She wasn’t sure that mattered after yesterday. It was fucking incredible and right now in her life she needed fucking incredible.

She began walking back towards Kai’s car slowly hoping she had given him what he wanted just then, because she desperately wanted him. She knew that his deal was only on the terms of if he was pleased with her help. “Fingers crossed,” she whispered as the car came into view.