The Alliance

Chapter 7

Imaan Gani

I watched her as she slept.

Long, dark eyelashes rested on tear-streaked cheeks the color of caramel. Pink lips parted as soft breaths escaped from her mouth. Dark hair flowing in angry waves around her. Ariah Rmah looked at peace. And she was undeniably beautiful that way.

That was until she opened her eyes.

Sharp grey was riddled with confusion as they caught sight of me. Those all too familiar frown lines gracing the space between her eyebrows. They seemed to be her natural reaction to my presence, and it didn't take long for her to reach to her side. In search of a weapon, I suppose. The woman seemed to always be in need of a weapon. Be it a gun or her now familiar knife that I was well acquainted with.

"For once, can we have a civilized conversation?" I asked. The words teasing yet serious at the same time. She only scowled.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I didn't know either, unable to form a response to the question. After finding what I was looking for I should have left immediately after but instead I quietly searched the closed doors that lined the empty hall until one led me to her.

I debated telling her the truth. But then remembered that I was trying to gain her trust. "I wanted to make sure you were alright." The words didn't soften her frown like I thought they would.

"Now why would you do that?" She laughed humorlessly her slender fingers combed through her mess of brown curls.

The memory of her on that podium, eyes screwed tightly, chest heaving heavily as the heated rod didn't leave her skin flashed behind my eyes. Her parents had left the room without their daughter. Her mother following her father who wore a faint smirk on his face as they made their exit from the grand hall- their daughter barely remaining conscious at the front of the filled room.

I figured they'd do just as bad of a job at the aftercare part of it.

Her eyes widened as I stood up from the armchair, unbuttoning the white dress shirt I wore that was neatly tucked into my black pants. "What-" She was cut off by the sight of the logo identical to the one now on her neck on my midriff. The large gulp she took impossible to miss.

"Let's just say I know a thing or two about being branded. And the aftermath happens to be worse than the process." I sat back down after tucking the loose fabric of my shirt back in.

She smirked cockily, "Imaan Gani, are you trying to console me?"

My shoulders shrugged, "That depends on if it's working or not."

"It's not. But it's the thought that counts right?" I chuckle as she moves to lie down on her back. Not missing the winces and hisses she lets out. She's managed the position when she lifts her arm. Gun in hand. "Don't try anything." I smile at her threat not willing to risk my life to find out whether it was empty or not, I raise my hands in mock surrender as I get comfortable in my seat.

"I wouldn't dare."

I softly closed the door. Leaving a sleeping Ariah on the other side. I was startled by her sister, leaning against the wall with her arms folded in front of her. Me. Startled? "Hey, Nez." I shook it off as I greeted the younger Rmah daughter.

"Hey," She greeted unenthusiastically before her tone turned skeptical, "what are you doing here?" I internally groaned, this was supposed to be a quick in and out.

"I came to check up on your sister." Nezrah had a shit-eating grin on her face. Great, now I seem compassionate.

"I don't think Ariah would like that very much."