Avriel Kaplan: Well dressed, well groomed, beautifully handsome, quiet and brooding and exactly the kind of man Ariel Declan doesn't need to know. But, that is not for her to decide.
Alexander Kirk: wickedly handsome, well known and well liked, egot...
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Several nights passed. Ariel remained at Avriel's house, her dreams got worse every night. She would cry out in terror every night until Avriel began just sleeping in the chair beside her bed, eventually, he just joined her in bed. He began to teach her meditation techniques that would help her guard against the night terrors. It was slowly starting to work. After every lesson, she grew a touch stronger. They took their meals together as often as time permitted and talked frequently, sometimes solely with the power of their minds. Often, they walked the grounds of his estate late at night, holding hands and laughing. To Ariel, it felt like a dream come true.
For Esther and Scott, it was business as usual. They didn't speak about the day she spent in his bed or the pleasant little things they did to each other there. They behaved as if it never happened. They met at the club again on Monday night and watched all the players in their secret little game. All the players save one. That player always sat quiet and alone in one dark corner or another, unnoticed and watching. Always watching.
Alex hadn't been to the club in more than a week. Scott was well past the point of being concerned and worried for him, he was downright terrified that the worst had happened to him. He went to Alex's Studio several times and each time no one was home. He had to fight back tears. He was positive that he would never see his friend again.
Per usual, Avriel sat at the end of the bar on the first floor, Ariel's bar, and nursed his drink. He went through bouts of watching Ariel move and work to doing all that was in his power to avoid allowing her to catch his gaze. Scott recognized it for what it was. Avriel was in love with her. And if he was in love with her, that meant he would do anything to protect her. That would include killing one of his own that broke the rules and threatened her openly in public. Alex had done just that, right there in the club at her bar, in front of God and everybody. Scott started to connect dots. Alex hadn't been to the club for over a week, not since the night he went after Avriel's little pet. Perhaps Avriel was responsible for Alex's odd disappearance. His anger and frustration grew until he had enough courage to finally confront Avriel about the whole situation.
Ariel looked up just in time to view an amazingly beautiful man walking down the mezzanine stairs and headed straight for her bar. He walked with long confident graceful strides. He had a general air of arrogance, power, and strength. He was undeniably beautiful, smooth and graceful. His beauty was caught somewhere between Angelic and dangerous as if one wrong turn with him could take you straight to hell. His short blond hair was perfectly styled and well kept. His blue eyes were bluer than blue. He locked those eyes on hers and absolutely refused to let her go. His eyes, they didn't just smolder, they burned. He knew exactly what he was doing with those eyes. His nose formed a perfect line down his elegant face and was delicately placed over soft pink kissable full lips. His chiseled jaw was host to a short well-kept blond beard. His broad shoulders sat squared over a perfect narrow waist. He wore two small black disks in each ear. He clenched his teeth as he walked flexing the muscles of his jaw. He turned every head in the room as he walked so elegantly down the stairs.
His long lean legs carried him closer to her with every step he took. His attire was crisp and clean. He looked like every piece of clothing he wore was made specifically for his form and no one else's. It was apparent that each piece of clothing or jewelry that he wore, from head to toe, was carefully selected and coordinated. Ariel found his beauty intriguing and nothing more. Other's found it alluring and to others still, he was blinding. They found themselves filled with the desire to just be near him.
He watched Ariel, his eyes remained locked on her alone for every step he took that carried him to the bar, then his eyes pulled away from her when he turned and sought out Avriel. Avriel looked up, made I contact with her, then looked at the tall blond man that approached him. His expression was none too kind. Ariel noted the flawless beauty that Avriel possessed. Even in anger, he was beautiful. She noted how his eyes were an exceptional color that was easy to get lost in, as she often did. She thought about how his nose was perfect for his face, and how sweet his lips tasted after he drank wine. Then there was the matter of his teeth, how straight they were with his canines gently pointed and slightly longer than his surrounding teeth, just the way she liked. His long dark hair drew her to him and his demeanor and kindness kept her by his side. She thought of the strength in his hands as he held hers and the tenderness and care he shared with her when they were quiet and alone. All of that was washed away by the expression he wore as the man approached him.
"Avriel Benjamin Kaplan," the man all but spat at him.
Avriel's green eyes darkened and he squinted hard at him. "Scott Richard Hoying. To what do I owe this pleasure?" His smile was as fake as his friendly and polite tone.
"We need to talk."
Avriel scoffed. "We have nothing more to discuss."
"I believe we do."
"Then you are mistaken." His words were clipped, his eyes hard and unreadable. Ariel saw nothing but anger and hurt in them.
"Alexander." The other man said as if it were some secret code that was supposed to unlock the door to Avriel's icy demeanor.
"What about him?"
"We should talk in private."
"I'll not be going anywhere with you," Avriel stated flatly.
Scott wisely lowered his voice.
"He is missing. Did you have anything to do with that?" Avriel instantly softened when he saw the small tear in Scott's eye.
"No. Did you check his loft?" His voice matched the shift in his expression as all anger faded and was replaced by honest sympathy and concern.
"Yes, he does not answer."
"I gave him a choice. I told him he could leave and live or he could die outmatched. He chose to leave."
"You were the last one to see--"
Avriel shook his head and cut him off. "We both know it was you." Scott took a seat at the bar. Alex was the key that unlocked that door, or rather it was Scott'sheartache over him.
"You fought." Scott seemed almost defeated as he slumped on his stool.
"We did."
"You broke his jaw." Scott's tone was soft, his voice softer.
"I did." Avriel denied nothing.
Ariel brought him the double scotch that Avriel had ordered for him and set it on a napkin square. Avriel paid her, his fingers touching hers and sending small shocks through her body as they did. He almost smiled. Then returned his attention to Scott.
"You love her."
"That is not open for discussion." Avriel slammed the door shut with a cold stare. He lifted his glass in salute to Scott. Scott mimicked his movements. Avriel sipped his drink after gently tapping the glass to Scott's. Scott downed his in a single swallow and ordered another.
"You cannot help him if you are drunk." Avriel took Scott's wrist in his hand. "I did not hurt your friend more than I had to." He pulled away, a look of frustration and disgust crossing his handsome face. "Perhaps Scott you should leave." He turned cold in an instant. Ariel had never seen him so animated and alive. Scott stood, finished his drink and politely excused himself. Avriel didn't give him a second look.
From a safe distance away, prying eyes watched the hushed exchange between Avriel and Scott, just as they watched the night Avriel sent Alexander running with his tail tucked between his legs. They heard every word that was said between them. The dynamic between Scott and Avriel was far more interesting than the squabble Avriel had with Alex over the girl. They wondered if humans were really worth that much. They supposed they had some value.
