Execution (Off Balance 2)

Hayden released his hold and stepped back, staring at the wall behind me. I’d blindsided him with my bible-sized list of confessions.

He ran a hand through his hair again and said, "Let's get another drink, and then maybe that will be it for the night. We don't want to wake up with a wicked hangover."

Before I could respond, there was an insistent tap at my door. My heart dropped. Blood drained from my face and Hayden observed me with a confused look.

I knew who it was. It could only be one person.

Chapter Four

The rap on the door sounded again, followed by Kova’s muffled voice. "Adrianna, open the door."

"Oh hell fucking no," Hayden bit out, and casually tossed the small box of morning after pills onto the coffee table.

He stomped toward the door, and by some miracle, I got there before him and stood in front of him.

"Hayden, please, stand back," I begged, my hands flat to his chest trying to push him away. His pecs flexed against my palms, but he didn't budge. "Don't say a word to him. He obviously already knows that you know and I'm sure he's worried."

"Why are you sticking up for him?"

"I'm not." Maybe I was just a little. "Just let me talk to him and see what he wants."

He cracked his neck to the side and gritted out, "Fine."

"Thank you."

Hayden took a small, small step back. Taking a deep breath and praying for the best, I unbolted the door with trembling fingers and pulled it open.

My lungs burned at the sight of Kova. I hated him. I hated the ground he walked on, the air he breathed.

At least, I wanted to. That's what I told myself.

The unexpected presence of him caused a stirring inside my belly and a drumming in my heart. For a split second, I forgot all the turmoil he's caused, the havoc he's wrecked. One look into his green eyes and his raw emotion was on display for all to see.

He was overcome with despair. Distraught.

There was something downright magnetic about Kova that drew me to him. An allure, a fascination.

And something as powerful and as captivating as him could only ever end in utter destruction.

I stepped back to let Kova inside and bumped into Hayden. His chest was flush against my back, his arm stretched around my abdomen and rested possessively on my hip. It was then that Kova lifted his stare and looked behind me. His jaw tightened and his eyes darkened at the sight of Hayden. Something flickered in his gaze, a shadow of knowledge, but it was gone as quickly as it came. Kova pushed his way into my condo like it was a natural thing for him.

Hayden released me, and before I could stop him, his fist flew toward Kova in a blur of motion. "Hayden, no!" I gasped at the sound of his knuckles connecting with Kova's sharp jaw, the crack splintering the tension in the room.

"Oh my God!" I barely had enough time to move when the back of Kova's larger than life body fell toward me like a building about to collapse. Luckily for my sake, he quickly regained his footing and stood upright. I walked to stand between them and put my hands out. I wasn't sure I had the ability to stop them, but I was sure as hell going to try.

Kova brought the back of his hand to his mouth, his eyes gleamed, a wicked grin spread across his face. He would smile.

"Are you crazy, Hayden?" I cried out, shoving him back with a huff. He didn't stumble. I shoved again, this time pushing with everything in me. "Get back!" Trying to move a giant boulder while tipsy proved to be harder than I anticipated.

"You're really going to ask me if I'm crazy right now?" he asked, his eyes like poisoned daggers trained solely on Kova. The air was combustible between the three of us and the dense silence made it even more volatile. Hayden resembled an untamed animal. I'd never seen this side of him before. So protective and defensive. If he could spit bullets, I had no doubt he would.

Hayden moved fast and stepped around me. I knew I didn't have it in me to hold him back, so I positioned myself in front of Kova. I plastered myself to him and wrapped my arms behind me and grabbed on to Kova's legs. My heart beat wild and frantic against my ribs. I held my breath and watched as Hayden raised his fist in the air.

"Hayden! Stop!" I screamed, but he didn't hear me.

Kova draped one arm over my chest and cuffed my shoulder as he blocked the punch from Hayden with his forearm. I gasped in horror as he ducked, shielding my body with his as Hayden's fists tried to strike again. Kova flung me to the side and out of the way.

I braced my fall with my arms outstretched and turned my head as my knees scraped across the carpet. I sucked in a breath, wincing from the rug burn and listening to the grunting of curse words between the two men. I glanced up and brushed the loose strands of hair from my face that blocked my view, tucking them behind my ear. Eyes wide, my knees trembled