Part of Your World

Interruptions

I pinched my eyes shut, trembling in quiet rage.

"She mostly talked to Ellie. I just interpreted..." he admitted. I nodded to the dark, glaring at the shiny floor.

"Good. She needs someone to talk to."

"She has you, Maks."

I snorted, staring at the violets on my shaking hand.

"She's surrounded by men, and dangerous men at that. I'd be unwilling to talk if I was her, too," I said.

"How are you going to handle this?" he pressed.

"I'm going to kill him," I said, matter of fact. I knew Nick wouldn't challenge me—not on this. Not when it came to Aria. He understood more than most.

"Do you need me to come back?"

"Nah, I think Serg and Niko are chomping at the bit for a little fun," I said, malicious smirk curling onto my face.

"How are you going to find him?"

"Should be easy enough, since he's clearly stalking us. I'm just hoping we nab him before the club opens."

"What'd you decide to name it?" he said with a chuckle, knowing it had been stumping me since I'd been given the task.

"Aria voted on The Well, since apparently I am too snobby to drink well vodka," I said with a snort. She had me pinned there, but I wasn't about to drink cheap shit and waste a good buzz. He let out a laugh.

"Well, I'm too snobby to drink at all, according to Ellie."

"Women," I muttered with a shake of my head. I glanced up, the door to my office sliding open a bit, the light from the living room seeping in. Aria stood, eyes blinking half open as she rubbed her face.

"Sleeping Beauty has arisen, I'm being summoned," I said, pushing off my desk and sauntering forward to my muse. She glared at me.

"Tell her to feel better. We'll talk more tomorrow," he said.

"Sure thing."

I hung up, pocketing my phone and reaching for her. I hugged her to my chest, chaffing her back.

"Bed?" I asked. She nodded against me. I bent and swept her into my arms, nestling her into bed before locking our door and going to change. The lights low, I rolled into bed, feeling for her across the blankets.

"Come here so I can make good on my word," I said, voice low and rasping in my tired state. I felt her tremble, but she obeyed, scooting closer, facing me. I tucked her head under my chin, wrapping her in my arms and throwing my leg over both of hers, my toe nudging her thick, wool socks.

"Oh God, do you always wear socks to bed, or is this a sickness thing?" I said, pulling away to glance down at her. She gave a small, silent laugh, shaking her head.

"Thank God. Socks in bed are so weird," I chuckled. My decent mood was fleeting, though, when I remembered the story Nick had relayed to me. My smile faltered.

"I...Nick told me, what you told him..." I said, searching her face in the bluish light. She frowned a bit but nodded.

"You can trust me, Aria, you can tell me anything. I'll never look at you any differently," I said, waiting. She bit her lip, looking down between us, nervous. I sighed, giving her a gentle squeeze.

"We don't have to discuss it now, but I hope you will soon," I said, eyeing her. She peeked up at me and nodded, blushing. I decided a change of topic was needed at this point.