Saving Athena ✓

34) Provoke

A c e

"Ronan!" I call out, "are you ready?" I turn to see him coming in, throwing on his jacket over his dress shirt.

"Ready to eat cotton candy and steal your girl," he swoons. I roll my eyes, biting back a laugh. I grab my keys, I usher for him to follow me, we head down the stairs. Zella peeks her head out from behind the room. "Sissy," Ronan smiles and pulls her to his chest. He runs his hand through her hair and kisses her forehead.

I'm about to open my mouth to say something but Darnell walks in. I shut my mouth and turn away, sitting on the cushion to tie my shoes. He sighs and rubs his eyes. Ronan glares at him while he's hugging Zella.

"Why does everyone here look like they wanna kill me?" Darnell asks, throwing his phone onto the counter.

"Because we do," Ronan answers bluntly.

Darnell scoffs at him, I refuse to look at him, I get my shoes on. I fix my rings and get up. "Zella," I pipe up, turning to her. "Want to come with us?"

"I would love to, but, I have a special someone coming over." Her cheeks turn pink and Ronan pulls away and glares her down.

"Name?" He asks.

"Her name is Cleo." Her cheeks turn even pinkier.

"Age?"

"My age."

"Is she nice?"

Zella nods. "She's very nice."

"If she hurts you," Ronan's eyes narrow. "I'll kill her my fucking self."

"Don't be so vulgar, Ronan, Jesus," I comment, smirking slightly before looking up at Zella. "She hurts you, I'll help Ronan."

"Okay," she laughs and rakes back a piece of loose hair. "Got it."

Ronan turns to Darnell. "I would tell you to take care of her, but we know how that would play out."

Darnell slams his cup down. "You know what-"

"I'm not arguing with you," Ronan shakes his head. "Stupid bitch, I'll deal with you later, Ace," he flicks his fingers at me. "Let's go." I shoot Darnell a glare, turning on my heels and following Ronan out the front door. "My car, or yours?"

I wave my keys, "mine." He nods and follows me to the passenger seat. We get in, I start the car, and reverse out of the driveway. "You alright?" I ask, peeking over at him.

"Do I look alright?" He raises an eyebrow.

"I don't really know your "alright" face," I say, turning onto the highway. "Don't let Darnell get into your head."

"How do you deal with him? I've been with him for a few days and I already wanna strangle him."

"I fight the urge to strangle him every day, trust me, you get used to it."

It stays silent for a bit before he shifts and smirks arrogantly. "Anyway, onto more devious manners, Athena's pretty little friend, Eve."

"What about her?"

"What are you? Blind? I like her."

"Okay...?"

"I was thinking I could pistol-whip Oscar, lock him in the back of my truck until the carnivals over-"

I cut him off by laughing, I wipe at my tears from giggling so hard and turn to him. "You want to put Oscar in the trunk so you can flirt with her?"

He nods.