Collateral Damage

- SIXTEEN -

"You don't have to come," I whispered snuggling into Scott's arms, "You didn't know him."

"I want to baby," he said, "You need me there and no matter how much you deny it I know you too well." I looked up at him and he placed a lingering kiss to my lips. It sent sparks through my body. I felt safe in his arms.

"What did I do to deserve you?" I asked and he chuckled, letting me go.

I watched him walk in the direction of the bedroom and pull out a pair of black skinny jeans and a black button down shirt. He wandered into the bathroom, winking at me before shutting the door. A dorky smile crossed my face as I mascara to my lashes. I had already curled my hair and finished my makeup. Now was the practical impossible task of sliding into the skin-tight dress I had selected to wear tonight.

The bathroom door opened as I struggled to zip the dress. "Do me up babe?" I asked pushing my hair to the side. His finger traced the promise mark on the back of my neck before his fingertips glided over my spine as he pulled the zipper up. He placed a kiss to the molnija marks that adorned the back of my neck and my eyes fluttered closed.

"Thank you," I said turning around to face him. His eyes raked over my body and I smirked, "Like what you see?" I seductively whispered as I walked away, swaying my hips a little more than normal.

"Such a tease," Scott muttered while reaching for his converses from the end of the bed. I laughed and slid my feet into a pair of black pumps. "Ready?" he asked helping me to my feet.

"Yeah," I whispered looking at the ground. I couldn't believe it, I was going to a funeral of someone who I held high respect for.

"Hey," Scott soothed, "It'll be okay." I looked up at him, he pulled me into a tight hug before letting me go. "We should get going Rosie."

We walked hand in hand towards the masses of black cars, people were getting into the cars and standing around in dull clothing. My eyes caught Lissa's and she said something to the people she was talking to before making her way to us.

She wore a black floor length dress with a gold belt. She looked as stunning as always. I pulled my hand out of Scott's before wrapping my arms around my blonde friend. She smiled at me before holding her hand out, "Hi, I'm Lissa, Rose's best friend, you must be Scott." He smiled and took her hand, kissing the back of it.

I had told him about Lissa, well I referred to her as the princess most of the time but he knew that I loved her. "Pleasure your highness."

"Please, call me Lissa." She smiled. "You two can travel in this car, it will take you to the funeral, I'll be there soon." She gestured to a black car with tinted windows. Scott held my clutch bag as I slid into the back of the car with him following shortly after.

The drive to the cemetery was quiet apart from the sound of the heater in the car. Scott's hand never left my own and he glanced at me as we pulled into the car park, "You ready?" I nodded my head and he slid out of the car, holding my clutch and the car door open until I had adjusted my dress and hair.

We walked hand in hand to the front of the crowd standing by the whole his body would soon be stuck in. It made me sick.

Like Lissa said, before long the ceremony was starting. Scott stood behind me with his arms wrapped around me while they spoke. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Guardian Stan Alto." My phone began to buzz and I pulled it out of my clutch to see Louise's name flash across the screen. I looked up at Scott who was already looking at the caller ID. He furrowed his brow and shrugged his shoulder.

"I'll be back." I whispered to him as he nodded and unravelled his arms. I walked away and pressed my ear to my phone. "Hey Lou what's up?"

"Have you spoken to Andrew recently?" he voice sounded sweet just like it always was.

"Who?" I asked.

"Your boss," she said.

"No? Should I have?" I muttered looking over at the ceremony to see Adrian and Scott walking towards me. In the distance I could see Dimitri watching me, even though he could see me looking at him, he didn't look away. It made my heart flutter.

"I got a phone call, he is dead."

The sinking feeling in my stomach made me feel sick. "What?" I asked, not sure that I heard her properly.

"No-one had seen him all week. But his body showed up in an abandoned apartment." Matilda, Stan, Andrew. What the hell is going on?

"I'm coming home." I said as I hung up the phone. I walked straight past Adrian and Scott and towards the cars. As I bypassed the procession of mourning people I could feel Dimitri's gaze pierce me.

"What is going on?!" Adrian yelled, "ROSE!"

Eyes fell upon me and I wanted to leave. I reached the cars and turned around to find Scott and Adrian right on my ass. Before I knew what was happening, my arms were pushing Adrian back. "Leave me alone," I muttered.

"Baby, what's wrong?" I ran my hand through my hair completely ignoring the fact that I spent ages on it earlier.

"It's Andrew," I said. Adrian looked at me and I could practically read his look, "Not Lissa's boy. My boss."

"What about him?"

"He's dead, the same way Stan died."