Fire vs Fire

Fire vs Fire

By: Raelyn Taylor

By Raelyn Taylor

Copyright 2017 Raelyn Taylor

Smashwords Edition

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

About Me

Dedication

To Irene, who listened and remembered. Who read and edited, who tried her best. Thank you, my friend.

To the Father who made promises and always delivered. I am blessed.

Playlist

Angel By: Three Days Grace

All These Lives By: Daughtry

Lost in You By: Red

Bleeding Out By: Imagine Dragons

Say Goodbye By: Theory of a Deadman

Never say Never By: The Fray

Savior By: Rise Against

Breath of Life By: Florence and the Machine

Never Let Me Go By: Florence and the Machine

Far From Home By: Five Finger Death Punch

Prologue

I didn’t think it was possible, but it happened. He stole my heart even when it was black and dead with decay. He breathed life into the useless organ. One look into his eyes and my heart slowly, but surely began to heal.

He turned my head, distracting me from the one thing that kept me going.

He set a fire in my heart. A blazing fire of love and kindness. His fire battles the fire of rage that consumes my body with hatred and vengeance.

He is the only thing that makes me want to be good again.

How can I be good though? Every second I’m with him, my father’s killer goes unpunished. The clashing wants and needs rage for dominance. Confusion blinds my mind, clouding my senses.

Every minute of every day, the fires wage war. My heart is a battle ground. I don’t know which fire will win. I don’t know which fire I want to win.

Chapter One

Iron clamped around my stomach. Worry ate at me. Like a sharp blade being held at my throat. I had just done something that had a high probability of getting me killed. I checked the rearview mirror. Watching. The blade loomed closer, the weight heavy on the soft flesh of my throat. I drove further and further from the blood, decay, and death.

I waited, hoping the farther I get from Chicago, that the blade would release. Freeing my body and mind from that wretched life.

Chicago is notorious for being home of gang bangers and the mafia. A fact I was all too aware of.

I focused forwards. I got what I needed. I finally found a lead. All it required was infiltrating and befriending the Antonoly family. Destroying them and extorting the FBI.

One step, I was one step closer to my reason for breathing.

My stomach growled and churned. Before I could do anything though, I needed to eat. Through the heavy downpour I saw a restaurant sign. Veering to the right, I followed the signs to a small diner and even smaller parking lot. I pulled into a spot in the back.

Shutting off the engine. I prepared to step into the wet morning. The phone rang, I settled back into my seat, and accepted the call. Miss me already? I ask.

How could I not? Not only did you advance my career but you also got me in trouble with not only my boss, but my boss’ boss, the state police, and a sheriff’s department.

Ah. You do miss me. Admit it, life would be boring without me. I might have extorted the FBI, but I did manage to make one friend.

You’re right about that. He took a breath. Something is wrong. There’s chatter on the black web. There’s a price on your head. Do you need help?

Scenarios ran through my head. Planning was second nature. I had been driving at eighty miles an hour for five hours. I was on the out skirts of St. Louis. Far enough away I wouldn’t accidentally run into people I knew but close enough that any decent professional killer could track me down.

No. I’ll be fine. This is an opportunity to clear a path so I can follow those leads. Just keep an eye on your people. I don’t need criminals and Big Brother chasing me down.

He laughs, there’s been questions, but so far I’ve been able to distract them.

When I approached the FBI, I went through on man. I gave him the information he needed to take down a powerful mafia family on two conditions. The first that he would never reveal my identity to anyone, ever. The last, I wanted a file, a very important, specific file. Good.

How’s the cut doing? I still think it needs stitches.

Geez, how could I forget. Looking in the rearview mirror. The cut was red, angry, jagged, but didn’t appear to be infected. A parting gift from the mob.

It’s fine. I heal quickly. My stomach rumbled. I’ve got to go. I’ll keep in touch. I hung up without a proper goodbye.

Digging through my bag, I found a first aid kit and some salve. I pulled off the butterfly band aids, wiping the area down with an alcohol swab. I stroked on the salve and reapplied butterfly band aids. Next issue was my hair. My long locks were matted into a rat’s nest of a French braid. I picked apart the braid strands and ran a comb through them. Once done, the blonde hair was wavy and frizzy.

Grabbing my bag, I opened the doors and jumped out into the storm. Striding to the entrance. I pulled the door open for an elderly couple, exchanging gratitude and pleasantries, I continued into the retro diner. Peeling my soaked hood off, I pulled my hair to the side of my neck. Checking the room, half of the diner was occupied. With only a dozen booths, handful of tables and a dozen bar chairs. Booth lined the walls, tables in the center, and a bar in the back. An emergency exit on the left. Picking a booth in the back right. I sat up against the wall, with a view of the entire diner, and both exits.

The waitress dropped off a cup of coffee. I glanced up with surprise. She caught my questioning look.

Secret of the trade. She-Mary- said with a smile. I nod my thanks.

After she leaves, I raise the mug to my nose, waving the fragrance towards me. Nothing smelled off. I took a small sip, rolling it around my tongue, the taste was fine as well. No poison. It was early for hits to begin, but better paranoid than dead. Drinking the rich liquid, I went through the menu. Lots of calories, carbs, and grease; perfect.

The front entrance door chimed. Peeking up through my eye lashes, I observe the newcomer.

Damn. That’s all I could come up with as I scanned him from head to toe. Sandy brown hair, defined cheek bones and jawline, with sea green eyes. All on top of a fit, tight body. Double damn.

Mental muscle memory kicked in. Switching from checking him out. I looked for weapons. No suspicious bulges nor did he inconspicuously check to see if his weapons were in place.

His eyes scanned the room, landing on me. Sea green eyes light up. A slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Not good.

He walked towards me; back straight, shoulders proud, and walk confident. Without hesitation or pause he slid into the seat across from me.

Do you mind sharing? Since were both eating alone. I thought we could keep each other company.

Was this guy for real? I snorted. I really hope that wasn’t a pick-up line.

His eyes sharp and clear, eyes widened and his breath rushed out between clenched teeth. Guess he finally noticed the cut. His eyes narrow, jaw clenching; he was pissed. Boyfriend?

Cocking my head. No. Not interested in one either. Not a subtle hint.

Neither am I. He grins, revealing straight teeth, except for one incisor that was crooked. It endeared him, giving him an innocent illusion.

I shook my head and sighed.

Come on, what’s the worst that can happen? Me ordering meat, cheese, and milk, and you ending up to be a vegan? He leans forward. If you are a vegan, you choose the wrong place to stop for breakfast. I’m pretty sure the short order cook here, has no clue what a vegan is.

I can’t help it, I laugh. I’m not a vegan.

Good. I’d hate to offend someone I’m interested in. That interest was obvious in his tone, posture and most importantly his eyes. Eyes are the window to the soul after all.

I raise an eyebrow. Awfully forward, when I’m not even interested in sharing a table.

He leans forward and grins. Now that’s cruel.

I never claimed to be nice.

He just smiles. The waitress, Mary, came up and took both of our orders. He won this round and he knew it.

New to the area? He asks, his slim fingers fiddling with a fork.

What makes you ask that? I can’t help it, I’m intrigued and suspicious. Any fool would be, especially after that phone call.

The SUV in the parking lot is filled with totes. You look tired, as though you’ve been driving a long way. Plus, the injury most people run away from the person that hurts them. His tone darkens and his fingers clench.

He’s familiar with abuse. The realization softens my heart.

I might have recently come into the area. Like fifteen minutes ago. Not sure I’m going to stay though.

That’s a shame.

I don’t reply. I drink my coffee, I