Celia

10 Deadly Defenders

Gio

"What do you do if you want to come home?" I kneel in front of Ari outside the gate before the school bus arrives. She's wearing a shirt Chase got for her birthday that says 'Her Royal Sevenness.' He even Face-timed with Oscar last night to wish her good luck.

"I tell the teacher to call and tell you I have a toothache," Ari drawls, rolling her eyes.

"And if the kids say anything mean—"

"Punch them in the face⁠— no wait, that was Celia. You said to tell the teacher."

"Exactly, listen to daddy. Celia's a buffoon, she doesn't know what she's saying."

Ari giggles and I'd smile at that sound, but Chanel with her boy comes out just as the school bus stops in front of our house.

"Well, good morning you two!" She waves, her thin robe reaching the wet grass. On the contrary, the boy with combed-over hair seems like he can't breathe in his checkered button-down up to his neck.

"I like your hair!" Ari smiles at him and I resist the urge to pull her behind me, instead I hug her and help her up the bus. "Maybe I can do a mohawk on him, huh?" She wiggles her brows at me as the boy goes in, passing her without a glance.

"Liam's just shy." Chanel pops beside me. "Have a great first day, you two! Make sure to behave!"

I don't know if it's because I haven't slept last night or because I've been around Celia too much, but a part of me wishes she really set her hair on fire.

"Don't forget⁠—" I tell Ari, but the doors close, taking her and my soul away with it.

"They grow up so fast, huh? What are you doing this fine morning? Working those muscles out? I'm about to have my green smoothie and go for a jog," Chanel laughs, causing her caked makeup to wrinkle.

"I have to go to work, have a good day Chanel." I muster a civil tone before heading inside. Ari will be home in eight hours. That's the longest she's been away for months, I don't know how I'm going to go through the day. Especially after what Celia told me last night.

Child protective services? Drugs? The fuck? Arthur said this place is a safe and quiet place.

"No, I said this place is cheap," Arthur corrects an hour later in my office at the auto shop. "I said I got your back, but if you go and sabotage things, I can't help."

A tight rubber band squeezes my entire head as hot shivers run through. Fucking hell, I think I'm getting sick.

I look up from the papers on my desk as Arthur adjusts his uniform then the gun around his belt. "Is this about Celia again? Because I told you, Ari's in love with her."

"You sure Ari's the only one? Alex saw you drop her off last night on your bike."

"And who the fuck is Alex?"

"My boss's son, that's who. A rich brat, blindly obsessed with Celia. They're childhood friends, not to mention, their dads are close. Trust me, you don't want to mess with them."

I pinch my nose, keeping my voice calm. "I'm not messing with anyone and I'm not getting involved with Celia. The last thing Ari needs is to lose another person she loves."

"Well, I'm glad you realize she's unstable." Arthur takes a drag from his cigarette and exhales it while I scowl. He chuckles and leans his palms on my desk. "I'm telling you man, you gotta listen! I've been looking after this town for seven years and I'm not putting my career on the line for you to mess it up. All I'm asking is to not cause any attention and blend in."