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  One thing I hated about England was that it was always cold and gloomy, particularly in Manchester. Everything was dark like my past.

  My past is my nightmare.

  Each night without exception, I find myself waking up with screams, my chest feeling constricted as I gasp for air. My bed would become wet from the sweat, making me have to take a cold shower until my teeth chattered and my skin felt cold like ice. Following that unsuccessful attempt at sleeping, I sat by the window with my dog on my lap and a cup of coffee, watching the rain and city lights outside.

  I was constantly tired but had to stay busy to distract myself. I also thoroughly enjoyed my job. I have recently completed my hospital shift while undergoing training to become a pediatric nurse. I'm currently heading to my second job at the nearby underground pub from where I live.

  Ignoring the flirty whistles and crude comments I pushed open the door, the heat hitting me immediately which I welcomed, glad to be out of the rain.

  "Nice for you to grace us with your presence Mae."

  Perry stood at the bar with a scowl on her face as she poured one of the lads a pint. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her, I already wanted to pour that drink over her head. and I hadn't even begun my shift.

  She is someone I tolerate just because we work together. We don't talk or see each other outside of work because she's either spending most of her time with her squealing, obnoxious friends or opening her legs for any guy who looks her way.

  Pathetic really.

  Perry was your typical blonde, with big boobs, plastered in makeup and doesn't give a damn about anybody else's feelings but her own.

  "Sorry if I kept you from Michael, wait or was it James or Matthew this week?" I asked with a bright smile to piss her off more.

  The guy with a scruffy white beard which is covered with the foam from his beer slapped his hand against the bar as he barked out a laugh. Something told me he's been smoking twenty packs of cigarettes a day or just very unlucky.

  He's new, as I've never seen him before which is rare. We usually have just the regulars that come into this pub. The men that come in here hang around at the underground illegal fights. I've never stepped foot in there, and I don't intend to. If you're looking for a broken bone or a hookup then yeah that's the place to be.

  I'd rather stay away from that.

  I made my way around the bar, took off my coat, and pulled my black hair into a tight bun at the top of my head.

  "You're hilarious Mae, anyway Harrison will be here soon so I'm gonna go."

  "You're shift isn't over Perry." I pointed out.

  "I'm leaving since the boss is absent, I have a date," she said, shrugging. "You are always late so just keep your trap shut and I won't say anything either."

  Oh, the nerve of this girl.

  Don't punch her.

  Even though she deserves it.

  "Well unlike you, I was saving a little girl's life and making her parents were okay. You leave so you can suck some guys dick."

  "You're just jealous, and a prude." Now she was facing me, looking down as I'm shorter but that doesn't mean I couldn't rip her hair out.

  I scoffed, "Jealous of you? You do think highly of yourself. Just leave Perry, I've had a shitty day and having this stupid argument with you is making me want to rip you a new one."

  I'm not naturally aggressive, she just triggers it in me. I was so caught up in arguing that I didn't notice the door open or the three men entering. Harrison, my best friend and my person was one of them.

  The remaining pair mumble quietly to each other. One of them was distinctive with his auburn hair, curly at the top and shaved on the sides. Above a shining nose piercing, he stood taller than his friend.

  Harrison was staring at them as if they were a piece of meat. Looking up, they saw Harrison hurry towards me, smiling.

  "Well if it isn't my favourite girl and the slut."

  I couldn't resist chuckling, Perry huffed and left quickly with her coat.

  "Thought I would save you before you clawed her eyes out, and that would be messy to clean up."

  "But worth the mess nonetheless." I grinned at him and then embraced him with my arms.

  For the past four years, he has been my closest friend and the only person, aside from my therapist, who is aware of my past. The only information he lacks is my actual name.

  Now nobody knows that.

  "By the way you owe me a new dildo." He whispered in my ear.

  "Why do I owe you one, maybe you should stop using it all the time." I stood back, gazing at him with a raised brow.

  "Number one, I don't use it too much, I've got plenty of guys who would like to fuck me." He raised one finger.

  Potty mouth.

  He held two fingers up, "Two, your dog chewed it up to pieces. Maybe he's gay too."

  I have a dog named Shadow, a German Shepherd I love more than anything. He's larger than most, but an absolute softy—at least with those he likes. I brought him home a few years ago for companionship and protection.

  "You have a dildo collection, Harrison. Seriously, one missing toy isn't going to set the world on fire," I said, rolling my eyes. But inside, I felt a twinge of something—was it jealousy? "Just admit it, you're a bit of a hoarder," I added with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood even as my heart raced. He shot me a glare, but I could see the corner of his mouth twitching, betraying a hidden smile. "Hoarder? Please. These are collectables. Each one has a story," he replied, his tone mock-serious, yet the glint in his eyes spoke volumes about the ridiculousness of it all. I couldn't help but chuckle.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Are you gonna serve us or not?" A deep voice cut through the air like a knife.

  I turned slowly, my heart racing, and met the gaze of one of the new guys who had just walked in—his eyes glimmering with a mix of arrogance and impatience.

  "Yeah, I'll be right with you," I replied, forcing a smile, the warmth in my voice lacking the sincerity I hoped to convey.

  "Make it quick, sweetheart," he shot back, a smirk playing on his lips. "We're not here for a social hour." Stifling my frustration, I clenched my fists beneath the counter, determined not to let him get to me. "I'll serve you when you learn some manners."

  Then it hit me, I knew him

  The man who broke my heart four years ago.

  He left me for work, but I sensed there was more beneath the surface. He was my first love, my first everything. He was my anchor during the darkest times when my brother—and my whole family—was taken from me.

  Kaiser O'Hara stood before me, a smile spreading across his sun-kissed face, his eyes twinkling with recognition as he slowly pieced together who I was.

  "Leilani."

  Oh no.

  He said my name.

  My real name.

  Shit.

  In the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Harrison, his brow furrowed in bewilderment, a flicker of uncertainty shadowing his eyes like a storm cloud gathering on the horizon.

  "Who in the hell is Leilani?" He asked loudly, catching the attention of some people who sat nearby.

  "I have no idea..." I could feel myself panicking.

  I turned to Kaiser, my heart racing with urgency. "Can I have a word?"

  "Come on," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath as I tightened my grip on his hand. I shot a quick, tight smile at the guys before tugging Kaiser toward the shadowy nook of the bathroom, hidden just around the corner.

  "Wipe that smug smile off your face," I snapped, jabbing my finger into his chest. "Don't call me that—my name is Mae. And what are you even doing here? I thought you moved to Cornwall."

  "Why are you called Mae?"

  "It's not rocket science why I changed my name after everything," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

  "Do you really think I wanted to carry that past with me? Every time someone called me by my old name, it felt like a noose tightening around my throat." I paused, biting my lip, my eyes shining with unshed tears.

  "I needed to shed that skin, to find a part of myself that wasn't tainted by what happened. Can't you understand that?"

  Looking at him just reminded me of what I had, and what I lost.

  What I endured is etched into my very being, a haunting reminder that no amount of therapy or even the cruel twist of amnesia could erase. Each scar on my body tells a story, a visceral testament to the nightmare Tyler inflicted on me, and every single day, they whisper his name.

  "I wasn't expecting to see you, but god, I'm so glad you're here. I've missed you more than you can imagine."

  My eyes narrowed, and a mix of hurt and anger flashed across my face. "No. You don't get to say that. You don't get to tell me you miss me, not after you walked away. I have a new life now, one where you don't belong."

  I could see he was hurt but I don't care, he hurt me first and I can't let that happen again.

  I pivoted to leave, but his hand closed around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. He drew me against his chest, his other hand gently tracing the scar on my cheek. A shiver ran through me at his touch, and memories of how I acquired the scar flooded back.

  "How many damn times have I warned you about getting anywhere near Kaiser?" Tyler bellowed, slamming his hand against the wall beside my head. My stomach churned.

  Tyler was a volatile storm, unpredictable and dangerously explosive. He was controlling and downright malevolent, with not a shred of goodness in him. "I can't stop him from coming into the house. He's my brother's best friend! Unless you want to explain to him why Kaiser can't come over. All he did was ask how school's going; he didn't exactly fuck me on the kitchen table!"

  In an instant, my head snapped to the side, a metallic tang flooding my mouth. I cradled my cheek, trying to dull the sharp sting spreading across my skin. His hand seized my chin, forcing my face closer to his.

  "If you ever dare speak to me like that again, I'll do more than just strike your pretty face. I'll make sure you can't speak to anyone ever again. Now, be a good girl and steer clear of Kaiser, or I'll kill him."

  He pleaded, his voice filled with desperation, "Please don't shut me out. I know I hurt you, and I wish I could explain why—I will. But you were in such a dark place, I couldn't tell you then. I couldn't risk bringing more darkness into your life. I don't blame you for being angry at me, Leilani, but give me a chance to explain. Tomorrow, over coffee?"

  I cringed at my name, the name I once loved just felt like poison on my tongue now.

  "It's Mae, and fine, I can meet for coffee in the morning before my shift at the hospital."

  He smiled at my answer, and I had to look away. His smile has always been so beautiful, the kind that lights up a room and makes everyone around him smile too.

  "How does ten thirty sound, at Costa just over the road?"

  I nodded and stepped back, trying to refocus on work, but my mind was already racing. I needed to come up with answers—Harrison was going to have so many questions, and I wasn't sure I was ready for them.

  "I'll see you tomorrow Mae."

  He walked past me, his hand grazing my arm as he headed toward the friend he'd come in with. Just before he left the building, he turned back, offering me one last smile before the door closed behind him.

  Harrison stood in front of me, tapping his foot against the floor, arms crossed, like he was gearing up for a lecture.

  "You have some explaining to do, Leilani."

  ___________________

  We closed the pub early tonight since it was unusually quiet—probably some big underground fights drawing the usual crowd away. But even with the early night, Harrison hasn't stopped firing questions at me for the past few hours.

  I refused to answer him. Anyone could be listening, and I couldn't risk anyone knowing the truth about my life—or why I ran away. If the wrong person found out, my life would be in immediate danger.

  We made our way down the cobbled road, the uneven stones slick beneath our feet as we headed toward a small, twenty-four-hour café. The air was crisp, the kind that hints at snow, but instead, a steady drizzle fell, soaking into our coats. Christmas was close, you could feel it in the festive lights strung along the streets, but the snow hadn't arrived yet.

  Only the cold, persistent rain.

  Harrison and I live together and for the past few years, it's just been us and my dog Shadow at Christmas. He would cook and I would bake.

  I love baking, but I couldn't cook for a shit. Odd I know but it is what it is. This year I'm working Christmas day, and I'm dragging Harrison with me for the special Christmas Dinner the hospital host for all the children and their families that can't go home.

  We try to make it as special as we can for them.

  "Okay, now tell me everything."

  We both sat down at a table in the corner of the room, I noticed Jasper who owns this place walk over to us with a massive grin.

  "My favourite customer." He began.

  "Why, Jasper, don't make me blush," Harrison said with a light chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he spoke.

  Jasper gave him a look and took his notepad out, "I was talking to Mae, you boy are just a nuisance. God knows how Mae puts up with you." He shot me a wink which I returned.

  Harrison began mumbling to himself before ordering a coffee that was "extra sweet, just like him." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Harrison epitomized the term "man-whore"—he flirted with anything that had a pulse. He even tried his charm on Perry once, but that didn't end well.

  Jasper is completely straight, he's in his forties and is one of the sweetest guys I've met. He's always inviting me to his home to have dinner with his family which I always attend. It's nice to see such a happy normal family life and feel like I'm a part of it, even if it's only for a few hours.

  "What can I get for you sugar?"

  "I'll have my usual, thank you," I said, glancing around and noticing that we were the only customers in the café.

  "You got it, I'm just gonna put the closed signup, nobody else is gonna come in with devil eyes fighting tonight."

  Devil eyes.

  Every time I heard his name, a shiver ran down my spine—definitely not the good kind. Whispers had it that he was the head of a gang, and in this part of Manchester, there were rumours of several such gangs operating in the shadows.

  Not only that but he's one of the most ruthless illegal fighters, most of his opponents don't make it out alive. If they do, they end up blind.

  Hence the name Devil Eyes.

  I'd never seen him in person, and I had no desire to. Nothing good could come from it, and I had no intention of finding out what might happen if I did.

  As Jasper walked away Harrison kicked me making me yelp, "What the fuck." I narrowed my eyes at him and kicked him just as hard.

  "This isn't the time for a kicking contest, tell me why you lied about your name." He hissed.

  I glanced over at Jasper, who was absorbed in a phone call while waiting for one of his workers to prepare our drinks.

  "Look, technically I didn't lie about my name. Mae is my middle name."

  "Then why didn't you tell me? I know everything else, but why keep that a secret?"

  I could see a flicker of sadness in his eyes, a familiar glimmer that always appeared whenever my past was mentioned.

  "Nobody knows why real name, not even my therapist. My name is unusual, so if somebody was to look for me they would easily be able to find me. The name Mae is so common, so I can't easily be found."

  Jasper came over with our drinks, we said our thank yous and he headed in the back to start packing up.

  "I have no idea what happened to Tyler after that night, and I know for a fact he didn't do it alone which means there's more out there that probably want me dead so I can't risk it."

  "Tell me again how you know your brother didn't do it."

  "My brother is innocent, Harrison. He loved us all. I saw how devastated he was when the cops took him away that night. I'm his only family now, and it tears me apart that I can't prove his innocence." I took a sip of my hazelnut hot chocolate, the warmth of the drink offering little comfort.

  "You know he doesn't want you digging into it because it could put you in danger, and he can't protect you. He'd beat my ass if anyone hurt you. I still remember his threat the first time I met him during one of your visits." He visibly shivered at the memory, and I couldn't help but laugh.

  My brother Jaxon had said to him if anyone was to hurt me, he would rip his balls off and feed them to him.

  It's probably why Harrison wears extra boxers whenever he does visit him with me.

  "I know, I just really want my brother back. He's the only family I have left. Well apart from Milo."

  Milo is my nephew, Jaxon's son.

  Harrison took my hand gently and gave me a soft, understanding smile. His gaze drifted away from mine, focusing on something over my shoulder.

  I glanced in the direction Harrison was looking and saw Perry standing with a menacing figure dressed entirely in black. His posture was tense and aggressive, and though it was too dark to make out his features clearly, his aura was unmistakably intimidating. They seemed to be in a heated argument, and then he gripped her hand tightly, dragging her away with a forceful pull.

  "Let's follow them." Harrison jumped up from his seat, pulling his coat on before downing his drink.

  Is he nuts?

  "No way, I'm going home to my warm bed. Also, Shadow will need feeding soon, you know he doesn't like being alone for too long."

  "Oh come on, it'll be quick. Where is your sense of adventure."

  I finished the last of my delicious drink before turning to him. "That's not an adventure. We don't even know who that guy is—he could be a killer for all we know."

  Harrison stood there, a weird look on his face till something inside him clicked. He literally jumped over the chair next to me, his hand sliding into my pocket. My keys flashed before me.

  "Now you have to come 'cause you can't get into the apartment."

  Why is this child, my friend.

  "Fine," I huffed, "but don't be surprised when you come home tomorrow to find all of your dildos chewed up into pieces."

  I waved goodbye to Jasper as I headed to the door.

  A deep, unsettling feeling told me that after tonight, everything in my life would change irreversibly.