Saving Calen

8.

Aylah's POV

Dorian gets a call mid meal and ends up having to leave. I praise whatever god allowed that to happen and follow Riot out to his jeep.

He opens the door for me, his face so far away I'm afraid he's not even in the same universe. He gets in the drivers seat and drives in silence.

His back is pin straight and his jaw clenches and unclenches constantly. He snaps a small rubber band against his wrist over and over.

"Riot—"

"Stop."

His hands shake as he snaps the rubber band harder and faster.

"Why are you doing that?" I ask.

"I'm trying to follow your order, ma'am." He says tightly.

My brows furrow in confusion until I remember I told him he couldn't harm himself while working for me.

Tears almost spill from my eyes.

"Pull over." I demand.

"It's not safe."

"Riot, pull the fucking car over now."

He steps on the gas and cuts over two lanes of traffic, coming to a screeching halt on the shoulder.

His breathing comes out in bursts as his knuckles turn white from gripping the steering wheel so hard.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I'm so sorry." Tears flow now.

He doesn't say anything.

I open my door and round the car to his side. I go to throw it open, but he's far faster than I am. He opens it and picks me up. He spins both of us so that he can set me in the drivers seat.

"Dude! You're in the middle of a fucking panic attack and you still put yourself last to take care of me!"

He looks down at his feet. "That's what the contract says I'm supposed to do, ma'am. Put your life before mine."

"Stop with this ma'am shit!" I yell. His eyes take a harden look to them as he remains still.

"I think we just proved where I stand. He could've told me to shoot myself, and I would have. I'm not even in the same realm as you are. Ma'am." He says, venom laced in his words.

My heart shatters as I grab his shoulders and bring him to me. I wrap my arms around him and press my head to his chest. His entire body is stiff and then, if only for a moment, he relaxes ever so slightly into me. His hands tremble has he circles them around my body.

Then, as if snapping out of a trance, His body returns rigid. "Don't." He gently, but firmly, grabs my shoulders and shrugs me off of him. "You have to stop doing things like that. It's too dangerous for both of us. I won't be responsible for putting you in harms way."

" Riot, please." I whisper, not really sure what I'm pleading for.

"Are you ready to go, ma'am?"

And just like that, his entire demeanor shuts me out. His eyes go cold, his shoulders pull back and his jaw sets.

"Yes." Is all I say.
...

Calen's POV

I drive her back to the house.

My mind winds down from the days events as we drive.

Nothing like a good show of power to remind you what you're worth.

Exhaustion clouds my senses as I follow her up to her room.

She goes in and gets into house clothes while I try desperately to quiet the dangerous thoughts that are now ravaging my mind.