Run Away

8

Nick Sanchez was not a fool and he certainly wasn't stupid. He was well aware of Aaron Dominguez's lack of loyalty. With Aaron staying behind in New York while Nick and Katherine prepared for the move, a man could only assume disloyalty. Nevertheless, Dominguez was useful. To be useful, though, required incentive something Nick had so easily discovered. Incentive was a funny way to spell Caroline although he really didn't care who it was.

So he set out to tag Caroline. If he couldn't tag her as one of his, at least track. Nick needed to know where she was and who she was with. He needed audio, he needed visual, he needed it all. His best tracker had been his brother, but family and business don't mix well. Fresh blood was needed, that he found in the all too eager Awsten. While unconventional, seriously unconventional, Awsten had enough personality to do the trick. Awsten trained easily, having no real ambition other than his music career ("It'll take off one day, I swear, I'm going to be in God's favorite boy band"). If things went well, Nick was considering making Awsten's dreams come true.

Nick learned from Aaron that the head shop she worked at with Harry needed another employee. Serendipity played her hand and soon Awsten was working beside Caroline. Literally, beside her. He found her self-hatred to be pleasant and the way she didn't take shit was nice too. Awsten always followed her around fluttering his lashes at her in play, though he wouldn't mind going upstairs to actually play. Caroline proved to be tough, she kept a lot to herself. Yet, no amount of daddy issues could shelter her from calling in sick when clearly she had been crying.

While he really wanted to be the one to go and comfort her-shit talking was his favorite past time- he was getting paid to let Nick know. Nick, in turn, was the best friend to Aaron. Aaron was quick to Caroline, eyes softened in a sympathetic way as she sniffled about Jared.

"I don't blame him, I mean I'm so young and he's ready to settle down but it hurts." She sniffled, her frame shaking as she worked her way down. That was a damn lie but it hurt.

"You have me, you'll always have me." Aaron licked his lips quickly as he inched closer to the young woman. His arm resting close but not too close.

Caroline laughed, it was older than a young woman's. "You aren't the first man to say that and you certainly won't be the last."

Aaron frowned but tried not to let it show. This was too soon, she was too jaded. He had to wait, be patient. "I meant in the way you have Harry."

She made a small noise, was it a scoff? Aaron could only hope. The sooner this Harry mess was over, truly over, the better. He wanted out, he was tired of two grown ass men fighting over a woman like she was the last one on Earth.

"Yeah well, he's too in love with-"

Aaron could have kissed her. He still might if she spilled. All he would have to do then if play it back to Nick, Nick would make his move after realizing New York was a disaster and they'd be happy.

"Who?"

"Himself."

Caroline was not a fool, and she certainly wasn't stupid either. She was loyal to her deepest foundations, Pottermore proved it by sorting her into Hufflepuff. Aaron was little more than a pawn, a pawn that she could not only get attention from but could help her friends with. He was useful.

After Katherine's confession with the father, the plan was put into motion. Jared, for his safety and sanity, parted ways with the younger woman. He loved her and wished her the best but he needed something more. Caroline knew he'd find it and for that could not hold a grudge.

Katherine was planning to leave Nick, easier now than once they got married. Leo would remain in Nick's custody, something that didn't sit well but with Harry back in the picture that could be fixed. She needed to run now, if she ran with Leo that would draw too much attention even though leaving him broke her heart.

Harry would be waiting in the church. He would be alone in his car with a bag packed. They would leave before word could slip out. Was he being too optimistic? Sure. Did he care? Not really. Father Way assured his safety which wasn't all that assuring when he saw the made men Way used to run with, but it was help nonetheless.

Caroline knew she was just as much a pawn as Aaron, but she didn't mind. She was to play Aaron, find out what he knew and under absolutely no circumstance tip him off about the plan. Aaron was a snake and Caroline was meant to be his charmer.

A/N: so there's that. There will be more Kat/Harry action real soon! Also, a few boys from another band might show up. A special treat if anyone can guess who they are or what band they'll be from 💕