“Shane?” Carmen mumbled, looking up at me.

I stared down at her and did something that surprised the both of us.

“You,” I paused, unsure, though I continued to caress her face,

“I what?” the latina asked, leaning into my touch.

“You’re beautiful”

 There was a light blush on the brunette’s face and she smiled.

“Thank you”

I returned it with a small smile and rolled off her to lie on the bed, taking the cigarette from the dresser and putting it in my mouth.

“Do you have a lighter Carm?” I asked quietly,

“There are matches in the kitchen” she told me.

I pulled my pants on and moved out of the room to the kitchen and found the matches on the counter.

Just as I lit the cigarette, my phone beeped once and I sighed, digging it out from my pocket.

Got word some of Chris’ men want your head. I want it still on your neck when you come home.

Fuck.

I strolled back into Carmen’s room to find her staring up at the ceiling, the sheets at her hips, conveniently exposing her full breasts. And as much as I was enjoying the view, I stepped over to her.

“I need you to get dressed” I said, voice calm.

“Why, what’s going on?” she asked, confusion clouded in her eyes.

“Don’t ask questions, I need you to do exactly as I say”

In less than 5 minutes we were out the door and I quickly jumped into my car, reaching under my seat for my trusty desert eagle and tucked it at my waist before Carmen occupied the seat beside me.

I revved the engine and began the drive home that was spent in a somewhat awkward silence, with her obeying my rules not to ask questions.

With my apartment in view, I noticed the front door open and gritted my teeth. I parked the car a couple of houses away before getting out, making sure that I had my knives strapped to me.

“Come” I took Carmen’s hand with my left and reached for my handgun with my right. I had my back against the wall beside the front door and poked my head in once, quick and swift taking in the view of our wrecked lounge, our sofas flipped, coffee table on the floor in pieces.