Trigger - Part 1

CHAPTER 14 - Do You Understand Me

"I'm sorry Aiden. I thought it'd be best if I just put it out there right now..."

"No I get it... cops girl and all..."
"Oh... No... He's not... Um... He hasn't been around for a while, But-"

"-Am I interrupting something?" A sudden voice croaks behind me; I turn around and a jolt shoots through my stomach.

"Nik! No, not at all. This is Aiden. He was keeping me company until Ashley gets here." Nikolai keeps his gaze on Aiden not moving a muscle.

"Aiden, this is Nik... My Boyfriend."

"Oh, hey Nik, pleasure to meet you." Aiden says as he holds his hand out towards Nikolai.

Nicolai's eyes follow Aiden's hand, but quickly looks Aiden in the eyes again, not taking his hand.

"It's Nikolai... and don't you have something better to do?" Nikolai steps closer to Aiden half towering over him.

"Nikolai what are you doing?" I grab his shoulder but he grabs my hand and shrugs it off. Aiden stands up aligning his eyes directly with Nikolais.

"Hey man I don't know what your problem is but you don't do that to a lady. We were just talking."

"I know guys like you!" They start pushing their chests against each other with their foreheads touching.

"AIDEN! NIKOLAI! STOP IT NOW!" I try to squeeze myself between them.

"Get out of my face!" Aiden pushes Nikolai forward as he speaks. In a sudden movement Nikolai grabs Aiden around the neck and slams his head on the counter. I stumble to the side as Aidens body hits against me. I regain my balance and my heart drops as I see Aiden grab Nikolai and they start throwing punches.

"STOP IT! NO STOP!" My lungs burn; trying to get their attention. A couple of guys grab them and start walking them outside and I run after.

As I get outside I see them being held apart but keep chirping each other. I run and stand in front of Nikolai grabbing his face: "Babe, please look at me! It's enough ... I'm sorry!"

His eyes feel like they burn through mine. I turn towards Aiden seeing his eyebrow oozing: "Just go please."

"I'm not leaving you alone with this clown!" The tone of his voice sounds shaky as he pulls himself away from the guys holding him.

I feel Nikolai press against me as his voice echoes through the air.

"She is mine!" I grab Nicolai's arm and pull him from the guys holding him. As I turn to where the car is I see Ashley's face drop staring at me.

"I'll explain later Ash... Let's go Nikolai!" He grabs my arm and starts pulling me towards the car.

I get a glimpse of Aiden while we drive past and my heart sinks seeing him in that state.

"Don't you ever do that again!" I look at Nikolai and see his face taut, gripping the wheel.

"What do you mean Nikolai? I was just talking to him. Why are you acting like this?"

He shoots his head towards me and I see anger swimming in his eyes.

"And if he didn't want to just talk? What would you have done hey? You think you can hide this from me? I was watching you smile at him!"

My heart stops as I try to process and reason with myself.

"Nikolai... I wasn't going to do anything! I am with you! Why were you watching me? Don't you trust me?"

"You are with me! But you go around talking to other men! Clearly I was right for watching you. He could have done something to you! Spike your drink. I know men like that! I don't want that to happen to you! Don't you get it?"

My brain starts hurting, I look towards the window. I feel my cheeks starting to warm; the road in front of us feels like it's never ending. Nothing but silence.

I look towards Nikolai as he suddenly stops the car. Sitting motionless my skin jumps at his sudden movement taking my hand and lets out a deep sigh.

"My Sage-love, I'm sorry about tonight. I just don't know what I'll do if anyone hurts you. I guess I just got a bit protective and that caused me to overreact and say stupid things. I didn't mean to shout at you or fight with him... I just... I love you Sage..."

My heart melts instantly hearing those three words for the very first time.

He moves closer to my face wiping my tears with his thumb.

"I didn't know that's how you felt Nik.... I'm so sorry, I love you too!" I say feeling my heart beat faster.

"You have no idea how much you mean to me Sage... My sage... just the thought of you being with another man-"

He pulls me close and wraps his lips around mine, breathing heavily and slowly releasing, staring deep into my soul.

"-You are mine, do you understand me."