Hollow

Six | Fair

I bump shoulders with someone as I walk inside Azur, the impact causing me to drop my phone. I pick up my phone before turning to glare at the person. He apologizes and walks away. Sighing, I proceed to the counter and sit on one of the tools, placing my phone in front of me.

The bartender stares at me questioningly.

"Your strongest."

After a few minutes, he comes back with my drink and hands it to me. I take a sip, feeling the liquor burn down my throat. I wince at the burning sensation but order one more, chugging it as fast as the first one.

I feel eyes on me and turn my head to the side to see River staring at me, making me sigh in exasperation. I break eye contact but can still feel his eyes on me so I decide to lock my gaze with his again, only to have him smirk back at me. I look away, raising my hand to order another drink but his hand grabs my hand, stopping me mid-air. I roughly snatch my hand from him and lay my head on my arms.

"I heard about Roman. I'm really sorry."

"It's all my fault." I mutter under my breath. "I would have never got him involved him if I had known he'd die before even getting on the damn plane."

"Blaming yourself won't do you any good."

I cup my cheeks and release a breath. "Doesn't change the fact that he'd still be here."

"The value of a thing sometimes lies not in what one attains with it, but in what one pays for it —what it costs us."

"Nietzsch?"

River nods. "I know you never let anything get in the way of what you want but let go of that guilt or it will eat you away."

"What brings you here Assistant Director?"

"I just needed to get away." He answers, his voice coming out a bit hoarse.

"Tough day?"

"I'd gladly share my worries with you but it's classified."

"I have clearance."

He chuckles. "I'm afraid it's above your level of clearance."

I smirk, gesturing for him to get closer and he leans in. "We both know I'll find out whether you decide to tell me or not."

He pulls back, looking at his half empty glass before looking back at me. "All you need to know is that there's this kid in the Russian mafia who wanted to come clean and expose the dirty deeds of his employers. He was placed under witness protection by the US Marshals but somehow the Russians still got to him."

"Isn't the Marshals' database one of the safest in the country, how d—"

"The paperwork for ex-filtration takes 48 hours."

I nod, holding his hand as I mouth a 'sorry' that he catches and smiles back. I let go of his hand, leaving a shocked or is it a hurt expression on his face as he watches me stand and grab my belongings.

"Leaving so soon?"

I lean in and place a chaste kiss to his lips. "Goodnight, River."

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Walking inside the house, I place my keys on the counter and suddenly feel a presence behind me. I know it's not Luca because his car is not in the drive way. I turn around and come face to face with my boyfriend.

"Sage!"

"I heard about your cousin." Sage says, walking toward me opening his arms wide. "I am so sorry, sweetheart. I came as soon as I could."

I take a step back and let my phone fall on the floor, silently praying it cracks to simulate an accident. The sooner he leaves, the sooner I'll sleep and forget this day ever happened.

I gasp, picking it up. "Fuck! I think I cracked it."

"Let me see."

"It's fine, I'll just buy a new one." I wave him off dismissively.

He starts to walk toward me again and places his hands on my waist, leaning in slowly. A loud ringtone echoes around the room making Sage groan before reaching for his pocket.

"I just got here...no...okay." He hangs up and gives me with a sad look. "I have to go."

"It's alright, I understand."

He leans in, giving me a light kiss before walking out the door. I pour myself a cup of tea and head to bed.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Unknown POV

"Are you out of your mind?" I hiss as I make my way inside her apartment, walking past her and heading straight to the bar to make myself a drink. "You knew I was with Zahra and you decided to call? Do you want a bullet in your skull that bad?"

"I just want it to be over." I yell, crossing my arms across my chest.

I chuckles dryly, tilting the ice cubes in my scotch. "Everything in due time, love."

"That bitch doesn't deserve to live a second longer. I worked my ass off and how am I rewarded? That incompetent little girl is put in charge."

"He promised you Pierce Industries, didn't he?"

She nods.

"When the time is right, you'll get it."