Stalker

Chapter 34- Call

Aiden

"How is this sad?"

Maria looked at me like I was crazy, mouth open. "It's so sad!"

"How? she gets to live forever which one, is amazing, and two it's not even physically possible"

"She's watching everyone she loves die Aiden!" Maria wacked me with a pillow before snuggling into my chest, huffing. "What would you do if you had to live forever and I aged."

"Make out with you in the nursing home hallways." I suggested, Maria shaking her head.

"Gross, plus my lips would probably fall off."

"Never gross and you have a backup pair of lips." I winked at Maria and she smacked me with another pillow, this time sitting up and not snuggling back in. "Come on loveeee, I was kidding."

I wrapped my arms around Maria as she tried to squirm away, pushing my body weight on top of her and letting my head land on her chest. "Don't be mad at me, I was just joking."

"You're gross." Maria leaned down and kissed the top of my head, rolling her eyes as she looked down at me. "But you're also really cute."

Maria had practically begged me to get matching outfits, so we were currently wearing plaid pajama pants and black t-shirts, watching some movie about a never aging woman named Adaline.

I met her brown eyes and smiled, feeling her fingers run through my hair. I could feel her chest underneath my chin, heart thudding rapidly.

I picked my head up and leaned forward, kissing her lips slowly. Maria's hands paused in my hair, now grabbing hold of my curls.

I slid my hand to Maria's hip, pushing my body against her as Maria's mouth began to move against mine. She was pulling my face closer, somehow managaing to get me in the mood despite what happened last night.

and then my phone began to ring, a huff of annoyance leaving my mouth as I pulled back from Maria, who seemed to find my annoyance amusing.

"Who is it?" She asked, sitting up as I picked up my phone from beside us.

I froze as a number I recognized shined across my screen. There was no saved name, but I knew that number anywhere.

Maria noticed my reaction as I quickly climbed off of her, the number calling yet again. "I'll be right back."

Maria frowned in confusion as I kissed her cheek before standing up, quickly leaving Maria's room and shutting the door behind me. I picked up the call and pressed my phone to my ear, heading downstairs.

"Aiden." The voice came through the phone, same as ever.

"Charlie." I answered, watching my tone. I didn't want to let my anger show. "How did you get this number?"

"You should know. You were in a gang. Actually, you were in this one. You know how easy it is for us to get numbers."

Now I was mad. "What the fuck do you want?"

"There's been some buisness that needs to be finished. Jack's in Italy doing some weird Mafia shit." Charlie explained, as if that would make me want to come back.

"No."

"I know you're involved with the Sanchez family."

"Stop it." I thought of Maria, someone from the gang hurting her. "Leave them out of it."

"Very powerful family." Charlie noted, laughing into the phone. "Jack doesn't know but I do. You show up for this, the Sanchez family stays off our radar. And after this, you stay off our radar. Consider this your final job, since you never did one when you were younger. You just took off. You're lucky we didn't come after you. Are you in? Or should we make a trip over there?"

"I'll be there by tomorrow."

I hung up and immediately was hit by what I just agreed to. This could be a trap, but I had to protect Maria.

Maria came downstairs then, as if hearing my thoughts. She stopped in front of me and looked up, a look of sadness in her eyes. "Somethings wrong."

I wrapped my arms around her and leaned down to kiss the top of her head, holding her tight against me. "I have to leave."

"What?" She froze in my arms, now looking panicked. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know how long, but I have to think of you. I can't protect you if I'm the one putting you in harms way." I spoke softly, placing one hand on Maria's cheek. "I love you."

"You can't tell me what's happening can you?" Maria asked, her cheeks turning red as if she were about to cry. "Does Marco know?"

"I don't even know what's happening, I'll talk to Marco but all I know is that if I don't do this, you are in so much danger." I sighed as I thought of how to explain the situation to Marco, hoping there was someone who could take my place for a while and look after Maria.

"Stay safe, okay?" Maria leaned up on her tip toes and kissed my lips slowly, passionately, a goodbye kiss.

"Always."