SARIYAH MARTIN North Carolina

Two months passed in the blink of an eye. North Carolina felt less like a temporary hideout and more like home—a quiet escape from the chaos they'd both left behind.

Kaelix and Sariyah spent their days planning their future. After all, the holidays had solidified how close they'd become. Christmas with his family had been small but warm—Dede's excitement over her gifts, Malik cracking jokes at everyone, and even Kaelix's mom softening toward Sariyah.

The holidays also gave Kaelix a chance to make everything right. He had gave his mom a stack of money, a thanks for allowing both him and Sariyah for staying there. Although she thought it was too much and they had to convince her for two hours to take it.

Kaelix also bought a new truck, mostly because the old one he had was way to detectable but also because he just wanted something of his own.

Now, in late January, the festive air had been replaced by quiet determination. Sariyah had mentioned one night over dinner that she didn't want to keep staying at his mom's house.

"She's been great, but it's time for us to figure this out. For real," she'd said, her tone firm but soft.

Kaelix had agreed. It wasn't just about finding a place—it was about staying ahead of anyone still looking for them.

Kaelix had a hand on the wheel as he drove through a neighborhood they'd been scouting for apartments. The sky was overcast, casting a gray shadow over the streets lined with modest buildings.

Sariyah sat beside him, her feet tucked under her as she scrolled through listings on her phone. A semi-automatic pistol rested on her lap, partially covered by her jacket. It was her idea to keep it close during outings like these—a habit that seemed both paranoid and necessary, given their past.

"You like this one?" she asked, holding up a picture of a sleek, two-bedroom apartment with hardwood floors and tall windows.

Kaelix glanced at it briefly. "Yeah, looks nice. What's the rent?"

"$1,500 a month," Sariyah said, tapping her fingers against the screen.

Kaelix snorted. "That's light. We'll check it out."

Sariyah smirked. "You real casual with money for someone who hides it in offshore accounts."

"Yeah, well," Kaelix said, leaning back in his seat, "I told you—I ain't never had a reason to spend it before."

She let out a low hum, turning back to her phone. But before she could click on the next listing, she noticed something out of the corner of her eye.

A black truck.

It had been behind them for the past ten minutes, keeping a steady distance but never making a move to pass.

"Kaelix," she said quietly, her voice low but alert.

He glanced at her, then at the rearview mirror. His jaw tightened.

"You see it too?" he asked.

"Yeah."

Kaelix adjusted his grip on the wheel, his eyes flicking between the mirror and the road ahead. "Could be nothing. Could just be someone going the same way."

"Maybe," Sariyah said, her hand brushing against the pistol on her lap. "Or it could be something."

Back at the house, Kaelix's mom was bustling around the kitchen, preparing for the cookout she'd been planning for weeks.

"You're back," she said, glancing at them as they walked in. "Find anything?"

"Maybe," Kaelix replied, his tone noncommittal.

Sariyah lingered in the doorway, still unsettled by the truck.

His mom didn't seem to notice. "Good. You need to be settled somewhere before spring."

Kaelix nodded, but his mind was elsewhere.

"Hey," Sariyah said softly, pulling him aside as his mom turned back to her cooking.

"What's up?" Kaelix asked, his eyes searching hers.

Sariyah hesitated for a moment, then said, "We should still come to the cookout. Let your mom see everything's good. Keep things normal, you know?"

Kaelix studied her for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. You right." She turned to walk off but he could tell she was unsettled.

"We gone be alright." He tilted her chin up so she would be looking at him. "I gotchu" he mumbled.

_

Later that afternoon, they went to see a penthouse listed for rent. It was in the middle of downtown, perched high above the streets, with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased a panoramic view of the city. The space was sleek and modern, with clean white walls, dark hardwood floors, and a minimalist design that made it feel open and endless.

"This it," Sariyah said, her voice tinged with awe as she stepped into the open living area. She walked to the window, pressing her hand lightly against the cool glass as she stared out at the sprawling view below.

Kaelix stood a few steps behind her, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he surveyed the space. "Yeah," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "This it."

The landlord, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a clipboard tucked under her arm, led them through the rest of the penthouse. She gestured toward the kitchen, which featured sleek stainless steel appliances and an island big enough for two people to comfortably share a meal.

"It's newly renovated," the landlord said, her tone clipped but professional. "And you'd be the first tenants since the remodel. Two bedrooms, two and a half baths, and a private balcony off the primary suite."

Kaelix nodded, his expression unreadable. Sariyah followed him into the primary bedroom, her breath catching at the sight of the balcony. The sliding glass doors opened to a spacious outdoor area that overlooked the city skyline, the faint buzz of traffic far below.

"This is crazy," Sariyah murmured, her fingers brushing against the glass.

Kaelix stepped beside her, his jacket shifting slightly as he moved. The grip of his gun peeked out from beneath the fabric, catching Sariyah's eye. Her hand darted out, tugging the jacket back into place before glancing over her shoulder to make sure the landlord hadn't noticed.

"Subtle much?" she muttered under her breath, shooting Kaelix a pointed look.

Kaelix smirked, leaning down slightly so only she could hear him. "My bad. Relax."

"You tryna get us evicted before we even move in?"

He chuckled softly, his voice low. "You stressing for no reason."

Sariyah rolled her eyes but didn't press the issue. Instead, she turned her attention back to the room, letting herself imagine what it would be like to live here—to have a place that was truly theirs.

As they stood near the balcony doors, Kaelix stepped closer, his voice soft. "You like it?"

"Yeah," Sariyah said, nodding. "I really do."

Kaelix's gaze lingered on her for a moment, the light from the setting sun catching in her eyes. Then, without warning, he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. It wasn't hurried or rough—just soft, deliberate, and unspoken.

When he pulled back, Sariyah blinked, caught off guard. "What was that for?"

Kaelix tilted his head slightly, his hand brushing her cheek. "For you. For us. And because I'm gonna fix this."

"Fix what?" she asked, her brows furrowing slightly.

He hesitated, his jaw tightening briefly. "Everything. My past. All of it. I don't want anything hanging over us."

Sariyah stared at him, her chest tightening. "What does that mean?"

Kaelix didn't answer right away. His gaze drifted toward the skyline, his profile sharp against the fading light. "It means I'm gonna handle it," he said finally, his voice quiet but firm.

Sariyah's fingers brushed against his jacket, her eyes searching his face. "Kaelix, you can't just—"

He turned to her, cutting her off with another kiss—this one slower, deeper, carrying a weight she couldn't quite put into words. When he pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against hers.

"I can," he murmured. "And I will. For you."

Sariyah didn't know what to say. Her heart pounded in her chest as she searched his eyes, seeing nothing but resolve.

"Okay," she whispered. "But just... don't do anything stupid."

Kaelix chuckled softly, pulling back and brushing a thumb against her cheek. "Stupid ain't never been in my plans."

The moment was interrupted by the landlord stepping back into the room. "So, have you made a decision?" she asked, her tone professional but tinged with curiosity.

Kaelix glanced at Sariyah, then back at the landlord. "We'll take it," he said simply, pulling out his wallet and handing over a stack of cash for the deposit.

Sariyah watched him, her mind still spinning from his words. Whatever Kaelix meant by "fixing his past," she knew one thing for sure—he wasn't the type to make empty promises.

As they left the penthouse and walked back to the truck, Kaelix reached over, lacing his fingers with hers. It was a small gesture, but it grounded her in the moment, reminding her of the one thing she did know.

They were in this together.