Saving Calen

6.

Calen's POV

She leads me up to her room and I sit in the chair outside of it.

"What are you doing?" She asks.

"Waiting for you." I answer.

"No, you have to help me so you have to come in."

"Absolutely not."

"Yes."

"No." I say sternly. She rolls her eyes and disappears into her room.

This girl is insane.

...

5 minutes later a scream sounds from inside her room. I draw my gun and burst through the door.

"Aylah!" I yell.

I scan the room but see nothing. She comes out of the bathroom.

"Shoot, did I yell? My bad."

My breath comes out in pants as my adrenaline subsides. I holster my gun and start back towards the door, kicking myself for falling for the oldest trick in the damn book.

"But, while you're in here, tell me of this will be okay?" She says, peeking her head around the bathroom door.

Little minx.

I roll my eyes and nod.

Aylah's POV

I smirk as my plan works. I know, I know it's cruel, but what can I say.

I'm a sucker for tortured souls.

I look in the mirror one last time. I decided on a dark green corset top with a black over-sized blazer and a black skirt with a pair of black Louis Vuitton's.

I have access to all of my father's  cards.

I take a deep breath and step out.

Riot, I can't believe he hasn't told me his name, turns around and tries to act casual, but I can see his breath hitch in his throat. His green eyes rake down my curves as he bites the insides of his cheeks.

"Well?" I ask with my 'I'm so very innocent' smile.

"That's good." Is all he says.

"Just good?" I ask, batting my eyelashes.

What? I'm bored and he's hot.

He nods.

"Well, I think that the heir of the Galantes family deserves better than 'good', don't you?" I tease. I raise my eyebrow slightly and cock my head to the side.

His eyes flash with emotion for just a second and then he returns to his normal stoic face.

Gotcha.

"He'll love it." He grits out.

"If you say so." I shrug and go back into the bathroom. I quickly change into some sweats and a crop top.

"What do you want to do today?" I ask.

"Whatever you'd like." He responds.

His short answers drive me insane. I can't seem to get a rise out of him for the life of me.

"Sit." He looks around for a chair and when he doesn't see one, he realizes the bed is the only option. He carefully sits with a rigid back.

I plop down beside him. My curiosity peaks as I get comfortable.

"Tell me one thing about you."

He goes to try and argue, but I guess he's slowly learning.

"I have 3 brothers."

I roll my eyes. "I know that. Tell me something else."

He furrows his eyebrows and thinks for a minute.

"I - I don't know. Um.." he stutters, his eyes searching for something. My heart cracks as I realize he doesn't know anything he actually enjoys. He's been used as a tool his entire life.

I gently place my hand on his.

"How about this, I'll ask specific questions and you answer."

He sighs in relief and nods.

"How old are you?" I ask.

"22." He responds.

"Only 22? And you're already a professional body guard?"

"Yes. All boys in our family are trained to be them our entire lives. We don't go to school. We train."

I look at him curiously. Wow.

"Okay, you're turn." I say.

"Do you have any siblings?"

I freeze and suddenly find the comforter really interesting.

"Oh, shit I'm sorry Aylah. I wasn't thinking."

About half a year ago, my brother and I were caught in a house fire. Some low level rival set fire to the house in the middle of the night.

The building went up fast and my brother and I were upstairs. He carried me out, but not before my lower back and hip got charred. We both made it out alive, but he passed in the ambulance on the way from smoke inhalation.

"We all heard about the attempted assassination of the Giovanni children. I'm so sorry for your loss."

I steel myself and push back the tears.

"Don't mention it. Anyway, my turn."

He nods.

"Why are you so willing to put your body in harms way for someone you don't know?"

He doesn't even hesitate.

"Because your life is more important than mine. If I die, there's 2000 more where I came from. I'm replaceable."

He says it as if it's been burned behind his eyes. It's the most tragic thing I've ever heard.

Before I can stop myself, I grab his face in my hands, but he immediately averts his eyes and flinches back.

Hard.

I've never been one to be able to sit and let someone speak so poorly about themselves.

"Look at me."

He doesn't.

"Look at me." I repeat.

He finally brings his eyes to mine. They're green with small flecks of gold in them and sadness swirling in their depths.

"Your life means something. I promise I'll make you see that one day."

His eyes flutter. His sharp features seem to soften as he almost lets himself relax into my touch.

Almost.

He clears his throat and stands.

"We can't , Aylah. This is how people get killed in this industry."

He starts to walk towards the door.

"I'll be right outside, ma'am."

Welll???????????!?!????!?