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She doesn’t react other than a slight widening of her eyes but it’s enough to know my warning is clear.
Smirking, I enunciate each word carefully as I promise, “Get between me and my girl one more time and I will remind you why I’m the best at what we do.” My eyes burn into hers, daring her to test me. I’ve had too many emotions lately. More than I ever cared to experience in a lifetime, let alone the span of a few months.
Arriana subtly gulps, lowering her hands to her sides. “Got it. Big scary monster.” Winking at me, she tries to hide the fear shining in her chestnut eyes. Clearing her throat, she turns and gestures toward the door again. “I can always pick the lock if you’d rather a more subtle approach.”
Looking me up and down, she shakes her head before turning toward Fallon who is currently cowering back against the far wall. “Baby.” Arriana purrs, beckoning toward the frightened girl.
Fallon takes a tentative step forward, eyes darting between Arriana and me.
“Shh, it’s okay,mi vida.His bark is much worse than his bite.” She reassures her girlfriend, throwing a glare my direction, all traces of fear having been replaced by the protective fire burning within her.
Fallon murmurs something too quiet for me to hear. Arriana responds in like, rubbing soothing circles on her back. A few more whispered responses later, Fallon pulls a couple hairpins from her long hair and hands them over.
Smiling at her, Arriana places a soft kiss on Fallon’s cheek, a blush spreading across the girl’s face. “Thanks baby.” Arriana murmurs before turning back my way. “Here, make yourself useful.” She quips, shoving one of the pins into my hand. “Just bend it-”
“I know how to pick a fucking lock.” I snap, angered by the implication I wouldn’t know such a basic skill for our trade. “Trust me, I’ve been lockpicking since before you were born.” I snatch the pin, bending the small piece of metal into a right angle before shoving it back at her.
Shrugging, Arriana takes the offered hairpin. “Okay. Coulda fooled me by your brute force approach but touché I suppose.” She turns toward the door, prying apart the other hairpin with her teeth.
I watch impatiently as she slowly picks the lock, each second ticking by with a thundering reminder of what I might find on the other side of the door. “Hurry up.” I growl as she continues to struggle.
Huffing, she glares over her shoulder at me. “It’s not my fault you installed such good locks. Why the fuck did you need these forinsideyour home?” She turns her attention back to the lock, leaving me to ponder the answer.
Even before all the shit that’s happened lately, I knew I couldn’t trust Charles. I didn’t survive this long by ignoring my gut, so I opted to up the security in my home. If someone did manage to get past all the safeguards the building itself offers, I have several of my own defenses set up.
A grunt breaks through my thoughts shortly before Arriana leaps to her feet, triumph shining on her face. “Fuck yeah.” She exclaims, throwing up a middle finger at the door. “Made that door mybitch.”
Striding forward, I go to rip open the door, pausing briefly as Arriana’s words run through my head.
What if she is leaning against the door?
With this in mind, I call out, “Baby girl, I’m gonna open the door now.” Soft shuffling sounds on the other side and I find myself irritatingly grateful for the pain in my ass currently standing behind me.
Prying open the door, I peek into the room, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I look around and see Avamarie curled on the floor next to the bed, head cradled against her knees. Slipping inside, I shut the door behind me. Cautiously walking towards her, I hold my hands up, hoping to appear as least threatening as possible as I slowly sink to my knees in front of her.
Avamarie doesn’t respond, still leaning into herself, quiet sniffles coming from her.
I take a deep breath and will myself to calm down as I can feel the anxiety building up inside again.
Avamarie looks up at me, pulling her head up just enough so her eyes can see me over her legs.
My heart breaks as I take in her face. Tears slide silently down her reddened cheeks, her auburn hair stuck across the damp skin. “I’m so sorry.” I whisper, knowing I am going to have to say this many more times and even then it won’t be enough. Sheglares at me and I see some of the old fire return, a little of the heaviness on my chest lifting at the sight.
“Fuck you.” She growls. “You can’t just come in here and apologize and think it’s going to make everything better. You fucked up. You hurt me.” She hiccups, wiping the back of her hand across her face. “You destroyed us. I-I don’t know if there’s any coming back from that.” Her voice breaks at the admission.
I’m momentarily stunned to silence from her words just before red hot anger flares. “Excuse me?” I growl back at her. “What I did? You think whatIdid was fucked up?” My voice grows louder with each word until I’m shouting. “What about you? Whatyoudid.” Avamarie’s eyes widen and it feels like a slap to the face as I see fresh tears fall down.
Fuck.
Pulling her into my arms, I whisper into her ear. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I know. I didn’t mean…” My voice trails off. I don’t have the words to express the emotions running through me.
“Get off of me.” She growls, pushing me away with her palms.
I tighten my arms, refusing to release her, not right now.
“Let me go!” She screams, her hands curling into fists and pounding against my chest.
I grunt from the impacts, surprised by the strength my little firecracker has despite her emotional state. Avamarie continues her assault, thrashing wildly in my arms until I can’t take it anymore. “Okay fine.” I snap, releasing her and leaping to my feet. The sudden movement makes her fall backward, banging her head against the wooden baseboard of the bed.
