Deadly Alliances

Chapter 6: Break Character

A/N - It's a short chapter, but hopefully it'll make up for not posting for a while lol.

Song: Talk is overrated - Jeremy Zucker ft. Blackbear

Flynn's POV

There used to be a time when tears didn't bother me. I was immune to people crying from the years of work I'd done for the mafia. I've been called heartless, so a minuscule thing such as liquid flowing from the eyes shouldn't ruin my reputation. I wouldn't let it.

But seeing Juliette cry was like being stabbed in the heart. I'd take more than a bullet graze to prevent that beautiful face from crying again. Whether it was because she was about to be my wife or because I felt obligated to, I wanted to do everything possible to keep her happy.

Which is probably why I felt terrible when I walked past her door and heard sniffling. I stood at her door, listening for a few moments. What did I know about comforting people? How was I supposed to comfort my future wife?

We'd gotten home hours ago; the sunset turned pitch black, and my wound had long been wrapped in white cloth. She didn't seem upset when we got back, just a little shaken. How long had she been crying?

I was going to walk away from her. I should have left and gone to my room, never to think of this fragment of time ever again. But her sniffles came quicker and turned into sobs. Such a strong woman in a fragile time. I couldn't help but knock on the door and wait for her small voice to say "Come in".

She sat up quickly in her bed, wiping her face dry.

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

She shook her head, clearing her throat. "N-nothing."

"That's a lie," I responded. "You've been crying. About what?"

"Just a little shaken up after the sh-shooting," Juliette struggled to say.

I closed the door behind me, walking closer to her bed. The lamp closest to her was on while the rest of the room was dark. I observed her body language, noticing her tear-stained cheeks and messy hair.

Now standing next to her bed, I stopped to wipe her face off. "You can tell me the truth."

"No, I can't." Her eyes became watery, looking almost like stained glass with its green pigment.

Again, I asked the question that had been on my mind since the night I met her. "What did they do to you?"

"I don't know," she replied, sadly.

Taking a moment of silence, I decided to speak. "What can I do to help?"

"Please don't leave me alone." Her eyes begged me to stay, lips trembling harder with every second that passed without me agreeing.

"Fine," I grumbled.

A small smile played on her lips. "You're such a grump sometimes, you know."

I rolled my eyes, sitting on the edge of her bed. I slipped my shoes off, thinking this situation through. Juliette wanted me next to her. Of all people, me.

As I turned back to face her, I realized what she was wearing- very exposing black shorts with a white bow and trim. A matching short shirt with white buttons hung on her body. The thin straps were falling off her shoulders, revealing smooth, tanned skin.

She was truly a beautiful sight. Green eyes and curves that could bring any man to his knees. Innocence that I knew wasn't real; only an act. I wanted to see her break character.

Juliette laid on her side under the covers, facing me. Her breasts nearly pushed out of her shirt as she shifted around to get comfortable.

"Should we watch a movie?" she asked.