Part of Your World

Down All the Darkest Roads

Aria glared at the TV, arms crossed as she sank lower into the pillows, so sullen and pissed at me as little yellow minions ran around on the screen. I only knew what they were because Niko'd had to explain it to me the other day, the movie childish but sort of entertaining. I sat on the edge of the bed, bending to tie up my shoes. I'd called and made her an appointment after a really shitty night's sleep listening to her teeth chatter and her never-ending sniffles. She really hated the doctor.

I glanced at her, gripping my jacket.

"Don't give me that attitude, Aria."

Her deadly eyes flashed to mine. She was dressed and ready, and I could see she was hurting, but she needed to just fucking relent so she could feel better. That, and I was actually getting worried about her—she was too small to handle being this sick. I sighed, softening as the fear behind her tough exterior showed through.

"I'll be with you the whole time, pipsqueak, and then we can come home and spend the whole day together."

A slow, small smile began to build on her face, a blush rising along with it. She swung her legs over the edge, shoulders hunching in pain. I stood, tugging on my jacket before I bent and scooped her into my arms. Exhausted, she let me without protest, resting her sweltering cheek on my chest.

"Let's get your boots. It's raining pretty good," I said, walking us to the elevator. I set her down, helping her into her rain jacket and boots, retrieving my keys from the hook. She gazed up at me, dark circles under her eyes, her bruise fading nicely. My heart seemed to swell as I stared on her with affection. Even with her disheveled appearance—her orange locks thrown into a bun with hairs sticking up all over the place and her nose bright red—she was still beautiful enough to take my breath from my lungs.

"Don't look at me like that," I teased. She smiled a bit again, sighing. We made our way down and into the least ostentatious car I owned. I opened her door and helped her in, reaching over her to start the car and turn on her seat warmer. She smiled a bit, nestling in as I pecked her on the lips. Her sallow cheeks turned a bit pink. I loved how easy it was to make her blush with the simplest of intimate gestures. No woman I'd been with was this easy to fluster.

I got in and backed out, preparing to sit my ass in traffic for a while. I glared through the rainy windshield as we drove, my phone ringing, Niko's name flashing on my dash. I pressed the car's bluetooth speaker.

"Privet," I answered, hoping he'd pick up on the language and keep it that way.

"Everyone you need is hired. Shipment will be here on opening night, it's massive," he said.

"Good, good, thanks."

The pause was weighted, and my hand tightened on the steering wheel.

"What's wrong?" I hissed.

"Where's Aria?"

"I'm driving her to the doctor as we speak."

"Serg and I went out last night, ended up crashing with the De Luca crowd. You know he's in prison?"

"That's not why you called," I growled, glancing at a curious Aria. He sighed, the sound angry.

"I found out some more about her father and his shady-ass businesses. It...uhh...well it sort of confirmed my suspicions."

"Explain."

"All of his businesses are named after his daughters in some cheeky way. About three years ago, the one named for Aria changed...he owns, like, boats—as in cargo and cruise. He's stacked."