Scarlet Springs (Ari Levinson) AU - 18+

17

Margot

I take a look at myself in the mirror and nod with approval. I look good, dressed up a little nicer than usual but not too over the top for a diner. My stomach is fluttering with excitement as well as nerves - a mixture of being taken on a date for the first time, but also wary of whether anyone in there will see me and recognise me.

The only person I can really trust these days is Ari.

Now he's knocking on the door to my room and I try not to fall over my own feet as I answer it.

"Hey" I say, taking in his attire of jeans and a blue shirt sleeved shirt that makes his arms look huge. "You look nice".

"And here was me thinking you couldn't get more gorgeous - ready to go?" He asks, chewing on his bottom lip as he takes in what I'm wearing. No doubt that he'll be ripping it from me later.

I nod. "Let me grab my purse and lock the door".

Once I'm done, we get in his truck and make the short drive to the diner. One of his hands rests on my thigh while the other is on the wheel.

The diner itself is busy but also not. Well, busy for where it's located, but I remember as I hitchhiked in, I noticed the signs for it. Perhaps Ari should invest in some ad boards so as people know where the motel is. That's up to him though. At the moment, just getting the place painted is enough.

The waitress comes over and takes our order before disappearing back into the kitchen. Ari looks around and then to me. "Gotta admit, I'm a little rusty at the whole date thing. Haven't done it in years".

"Least you've had one". I remind him. "I, er - I don't really know what's expected".

"A good night hopefully". He smiles as the waitress returns with our drinks and then heads off again. "No one's ever taken you out - I still can't believe that".

"At least you can say that you were the first". I make light of the situation.

He looks seriously at me. "I shouldn't have to though. Girl like you? You should've been out in the clubs with your friends, taking men home and having fun. Instead that bastard had you dancing to fill his own bank account and not giving you shit in return".

I sip my drink and try not to think about the stuff that was worse than just the dancing. Not that Davy ever gave a crap about my feelings when he had none himself. Still, I'm trying to move onto better things now. I don't want to have to run my whole life, and Scarlet Springs seems to be the best place to hide.

If I had to run again, would Ari run with me?

It would be too much to ask - but it would show how much he cares at least. I'm it asking for a ring on my finger, a fancy house or nothing. I've seen just how much money can corrupt people.

I just want someone to protect me. Love me. They're the things I've never had, even though I thought I did. At least I'm no longer naïve. My eyes have been opened wide enough to see just what is right and wrong.

Davy was wrong.

Ari? Well, he could be right.

"I know..." is all I can really say.

He sighs. "Sorry. I know it's the last thing you wanna talk about, especially as it's meant to be a date. So let's move onto...I dunno, favourite childhood toy".

"Easy, Barbie" I smirk. "Gotta say the kids today have better shit than I did growing up". As my eyes scan the diner again, someone catches my eye and I freeze...

No. It's not - surely one of Davy's men wouldn't be seen dead in a place like this. But the guy looks awfully like Lorenzo - his right hand man if you wanna get technical. Ari senses me watching and then before he can say anything, I quickly hurry to the restroom and lock myself in a cubicle, heart pounding so loudly that it's a wonder I can't hear it echoing around the room.

"It's not him...it can't be" I tell myself as I crouch on top of a toilet, hoping to not hear him come in and start looking under the doors for any sign of me. "He's not sent out for this kinda shit. He doesn't get his hands dirty - just like Davy".

The more I try to convince myself, the more I begin to feel like I'm spiralling - fear consuming me and making me just freeze in the position I'm in.

The restroom door opens and then closes slowly. Feet walking the same pace past the cubicles before I hear a voice. "Margot?"

I manage to breathe as I realise it's Ari and not the man who could possibly be Lorenzo. "In here..." I say and open the door cautiously. He squeezes in and then looks at me. "Davy?" He questions, knowing exactly why I made a quick retreat into here.

I shake my head. "Lorenzo, but he wouldn't come all the way out here. He doesn't do that kind of shit. It unless it involves burying a body..."

Yeah. Mine.

Ari thinks for a moment and then jerks his head to the door. "Come on - I'll shield you and when we get back to the table, you can cover your face with a menu, then if you know it is him. We'll take the back way out".

I'm shaking but know I can't leave this diner without confirming whether Lorenzo is here or not. I follow Ari out cautiously- his body shielding me as we slide back into the booth. He passes me a menu so I can discreetly try to see.

"Well?" Ari asks quietly as he pretends to study the menu.

I nervously now take a closer look and then breathe a sigh of relief.

It's not him.

My panicked state told my mind that it was before even getting a proper look, and now I put the menu down. Ari nodding. "Well, least we're safe in the knowledge that he's not found you".

I sigh. "I'm sorry, I've put a downer on our evening".

"Hey, no you haven't - if it had been him then we'd have just left out the back and gone straight back to the motel. Okay?" I nod and then feel better as our food arrives. "C'mon, don't let it affect your appetite". He tells me, thanking the waitress as she sets the plates down. "The night is still young".

I feel better as the evening goes on and once we're back at the motel, we stop by my door. "Get some sleep". Ari tells me, giving me a gentle kiss on my lips.

"I'd feel safer if you stayed with me". I admit. He's like my security blanket now.

He hesitates for a moment but then nods. "Come back to my apartment then, least that way I can be in hand if we get any new guests or something".

I prefer his apartment to my room anyway. Not just because it's bigger but because at least he's near, and it's not lonely. I take his arm and he leads me back to his, ensuring all the doors are locked once we're inside, and that his arms are safely locking me against him as we lie in bed together later on.

And that's how he stays. Never once letting go of me all night.