Scarlet Springs (Ari Levinson) AU - 18+

6

Ari

We're both lying through our teeth and we know it. At least, I know that Margot is - she doesn't know I am. Ok, what I said about my wife was true, but not the part about running to the motel. I've technically only owned it for the last few weeks, ever since the bounty was sent out and her last location given. It was evident she'd come this way sooner or later. The former owner was more than happy with the offer Sammy and I made and gladly fucked off that very same day.

Now here I am sat across a table in a diner with a woman who is going to pretty much rake in the big bucks for me and my friend. I could easily drag her ass back to her ex right now, however I wanna have some fun first, and like I said before - find out who she really is.

She says she's a dancer. Whether that's the whole truth or not I don't know, but I don't think it is. There's more. She's hiding from the enemy so she thinks, yet right now she's blissfully unaware she's walked straight into the lions den. It was easy to tell back in the store that she's scared of being traced, just from her attire. Her hair is pulled back into a simple ponytail with a cap and sunglasses to try and conceal her identity. Yet she'll think that I think she's dressing for the weather.

I've become way to good at this shit.

Deception.

She'll eventually conceal nothing to me. I plan to unravel her in every way possible, but I need to do it tactfully. She doesn't trust me, at least not yet. But the more I keep on spinning some made up bullshit to her? The more she'll open up to me - and eventually so will her legs.

She's my reward after all, and there's no way I'm sharing that half with Sammy.

We don't stay long at the diner, as I need to get back for the time I've put on the sign on the office door. Not that I need the money. I've brought in plenty with my job over the last few years. So if we get no guests? It's no loss really. Not to me. Sammy may say differently though but he's more concerned that this investment won't be worth our while. Hence why I'm keeping the fact that Margot is pretty much in our hands from him for a while.

I'll just have to make sure he doesn't run into her if he decides to make another unannounced visit any time soon.

I occasionally watch Margot as she eats - probably her first proper meal in a while. Sometimes she'll look around the restaurant, and me, being the concerned gentleman that I am reassure her that everything is fine. Anything to get the trust between us flowing. There are mometns where I'm sure that I can feel her eyes on me, as though she's trying to figure me out or something, but I choose to pretend that I don't notice.

Still, the feeling is mutual.

Once we've finished we make the rest of the drive back to the motel, the irony earlier being that 'I Ran' by A Flock of Seagulls was playing. At which point I chose to discreetly look at her reaction.

It was telling to say the least.

Still, she didn't comment on it, choosing instead to make small talk about music and look out of the window until we made it to the diner, at which point she was probably relieved.

I take my bags of groceries from the back of the truck once we're back and she takes hers, both of us pausing at the door to the reception as we prepare to go our separate ways.

"Thanks for taking me into town. I appreciate it a lot". She says as I unlock the door and take the BE BACK SOON sign down.

"Hey, any time you wanna go? Just let me know". I brush it off. The offer is there and I can only help with the trust building that I'm going to need to undertake, "and if you ever wanna join me at the diner or something, you're welcome to".

I will find out every last secret about this woman, even if I have to buy her a thousand dinners.

"I need to double check, but I'm sure we have a couple of reservations for this week. I'll need you to get their rooms ready". I continue, needing to get down to business if I'm gonna play my part.

She nods at this. "Ok, just let me know what rooms and what needs doing and I'll do it".

"Alright, well - have a good rest of your afternoon". I say, not knowing what else there is to at this point.

"You too, and Ari?" She stops me as I go to walk in. "Thanks again, for everything. You didn't have to give me a job or anything but I'm grateful".

I shrug it off. "You looked like you could use a bit of luck"

She sighs at this. "You have no idea".

Yes I do. You're gonna need all the luck in the world to try and hide from a boyfriend like yours. Shame that you don't know it's already run out before it's even begun.

"No big deal. Just get yourself settled in and we'll talk more tomorrow". I tell her with the same reassurance as I gave her earlier.  Then I watch her head down the walkway to where her room is before going to out the groceries away.

It begins and ultimately ends now.