Paper Trails 2 | Draft

20.

"I'd stand in the shadows of your heart and tell you I'm not afraid of your dark."

*****

The door to my bedroom was wide open, making it easier for me to hear whispers coming from the kitchen. I rolled over, not really surprised when I saw the bed was empty. I sat up, my eyebrows knitting together when I realized I was wearing a shirt. Niccolò must have put it on me at some point.

My teeth sank into my bottom lip as images from last night flashed in my head. I didn't even have words to describe it.

Yawning, I stood up and stumbled out my room towards the kitchen, stopping short when I heard Niccolò, Raven, and another voice I didn't recognize speaking in hushed tones.

"I don't know," a girl said. "Why does it matter?"

"Because he's dangerous. And you still associate with him anyway."

"Niccolò's dangerous. Do we not associate with him? And I don't associate with him. I love him."

"Nico's different. He's like family."

"And Maven is my boyfriend. He wouldn't hurt me. He protects me, that's all he's ever done. Why are you so quick to judge him?" There was a short, bitter laugh. "Oh, right. Because he's—"

"I know what you're about to say. Don't even go there. That is not it at all." Raven sounded annoyed. "I'm trying to look out for you."

"You haven't looked out for me in a long time, Raven."

I peeked my head through, catching Raven's attention. She sat up straighter and sighed, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Neila."

Everyone turned to look at me. Partly embarrassed for being caught listening, I blushed and ducked my head.

"I just wanted some..." I trailed off and looked around, stopping at the coffeemaker. "Coffee."

The girl sighed, her eyes closing.

Raven stood up and reached in the cabinet for a mug. I walked over, took it from her, and went to pour myself a cup of coffee. It was silent while I filled my mug.

Raven was the first to speak up. "Um, Neila, this is my sister. Alaida. Alaida, this is Neila."

I took that as an opportunity to look her over. She was pretty. I could see the similarities between them, as well as the subtle differences. Alaida had a little beauty mark by her lip. Her hair was chopped in a really cute pixie cut that only someone with her facial structure could pull off. She was gorgeous. Honestly, I felt a little self-conscious now that I was really looking at her. She had a great figure—kind of thick—and one of those sexy but innocent faces.

Her dress hugged her body and I frowned when I saw Niccolò looking at her. Dick. Where the fuck is his shirt?

"Hey," I muttered, putting the mug to my lips and drinking so I didn't have to say anything else.

She lifted her lips up in a small smile, but it was clear she was too upset to put effort into it.

"Um..." Raven cleared her throat. "Nei, do you mind giving us a minute?"