Wronged

• 17 •

Dakota never specified what he actually did in these jobs. Obviously it wasn't legal, because he was making tons of cash and his first task was moving illegally brought-in guns into a back alley and underneath a tarp. But he never told me what he had to do once he grew up a little more. All he said was that he couldn't leave the business, and he didn't want me wrapped up in its craziness. Apparently he was "protecting" me. Only my life was hell and torment - the exact opposite of safety and protection.

"Excuse me?"

I gloomily glance up and see a guy in his early twenties - pretty attractive - wearing a confused and sheepish smile. "Have you seen a really tall guy come by here? Tattoos? Kind of...pissed off looking?"

I let my eyes trail along this dude's body, starting from his feet and all the way back to his eyes. "Are you talking about Aiden?"

The guy sighs in relief and lets a real smile take over. "Yes. Yes, that's him. You know where he is?"

I notice a small drizzle coming down and nod, curling my legs up to my chest. I let my gaze travel over to the large windows of the cafe and land on two guys inside. The conversation is very heated, and I can almost hear their whispering angry tones amongst the clanking of silverware against pancake/syrup-covered plates and steaming coffee pots.

I point to the table lazily. "There."

"Thank you so much," He praises. "I've been looking for him everywhere."

I just look at him for a moment, and he looks uncomfortable before saying an awkward goodbye, waving, and heading inside.

You won't find him, I want to say. He's buried deep inside that panty-drop-worthy body over there. He's found a way to stay inside forever, without a single person able to trace him.

I only know this because I'm the same way.

I watch as the guy goes over to the table and interrupts Dakota and Aiden's heated talking. The stranger immediately starts flapping his mouth in a frantic manner (which is definitely quiet enough so the rest of the place won't hear because no one stops their day to listen in). His hands make wild gestures, and although I can't see Aiden's expression, I'm sure it's either really ticked or eerily calm.

The talking goes on, and I sigh, losing interest. I turn around again and let the soft wind gently bring my hair out of my face. Annoyed with it (like usual), I pull it up into a ponytail with the hair tie left on my wrist at all times. It's typically worn up everyday, but I didn't have the effort to do so this morning- what with everything that's happened.

I watch as a small spider crawls across the dampened ground at its quickest pace possible. He/She scatters in zigzag formation, making incomplete sense as he/she heads toward my foot. Once it reaches the tip of my boot, it swerves the other direction.

Damn. Even the insects think I'm ugly.

Suddenly I feel something latch onto my arm. I flinch and snap my eyes over to the hand, recognizing the scarred posture and roughness of them. He's tugging me up, and he does it easily too, considering how much lighter I've gotten over the past few weeks due to the lessened diet I've assigned myself.

"Hey!" I shout as Aiden pulls me to my feet wordlessly, lips set in a straight line and eyes darkening in concentration. I look over my shoulder, stumbling as he drags me along. Dakota is talking with Awkward Dude, arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed. Awkward Dude is still speaking in frantic motions.