Aidan Weber

‘Peace of mind’ still might be a stretch. I am aware. More so than I’ve admitted to anyone else. Working with them has been getting more and more difficult by the day. You need to be careful too, Miss Quinn. If you end up hurt I can’t promise to keep my distance.

I live in the crossfire. That’s been my job for years. I’m not going to feel right walking out of here knowing that you expect to be attacked sometime in the future. At least... take my other phone number. Put it on speed dial. It’s a burner phone, so I’ll let you know when the number changes. Use it if you’re in immediate danger, if you need “no questions asked” aid. That’s the only way I’m leaving your office. And like I promised when you signed me onto this job... no one else will know what we talk about.

Did somebody attack Julia again? Why are you being so cryptic? Is somebody trying to get to you? Olivia, I’m probably on the radar of half a dozen abusive, violent, and/or sadistic Dominants by now with all of the “investigating” I’ve been doing for you, for others, and for myself. I’m going to be in danger no matter what. I at least want to have the choice of being in the kind of danger that can save other people. If you need protection, if someone is in danger, then you need to tell me more than that so that I can help. And I’m going to be honest Olivia, you look like you need it. With all the discussions we’ve had together about your safety and this investigation, I’ve still never seen you like this. 

My sister? What does she have to do with any of this? What are you talking about? 

With how deeply this might run into the city’s police force and your own company, this isn’t trivial at all. That’s a huge part of why I took the case. And I’d like to point out again that it was also your attempted murder. You’re in danger, Olivia, and have been since you were a child. Lately I’ve been afraid that I haven’t been figuring things out fast enough. I appreciate the concern, but don’t ask me to stop, please, because I don’t want to refuse something you ask of me.

I won’t take up much of your time. I have a lead.... Olivia. Any paper trail is nonexistent. We’re dealing with someone who might’ve done this before, or knows people who have. Hell, I might even be working in the same precinct as their connections. It’s getting technical. But my contact who helped me with those calls from Q-Tech before might be able to trace them more accurately if I can convince a legend of a hacker I’ve worked with before to get in contact with him. I’m going to have to pull some major favors, but I’m getting close. We’re getting close to knowing who was responsible for your parents’ death. And... your attempted murder. 

Hope I’m not interrupting anything, Miss Quinn. And I hope you’re in the mood for some coffee from across the street. 

I’m sorry I’ve been taking it out on you. And... maybe a lot of other people. I’m glad you’re here with me, Riley.

Then Cristiana’s place it is.

This world’s gone to shit. I won’t bother you about texting me anymore, and I’ll work on the controlling thing, I promise. Now answer me this and I’ll believe you because I think she is, but... she’s taking care of you, right? You’re good with her?

And they had the audacity to send you away. It wasn’t an excuse, Riley... it wasn’t you disobeying your Dominant. You know that, right? He was– he should be behind bars. 

Riley.... I’m so, so sorry. I don’t– did he try to get you back after you left him? Did you tell anyone?

...Yes. And I won’t hold you hostage or force you to tell me anything you don’t want me to know, but I want to plead my case on the way. You know I had someone before. A very important someone. It wasn’t just a claim. I loved her more than anything. I wasn’t over protective or controlling. The day all of that ended, I was called to handle a protest gone violent. My first and only arrest that day was her. I can’t help but think... maybe if I was a little more controlling, more attentive, then none of that wouldn’t have happened. I guess you’re taking the brunt of that now. Seeing you, someone I love, again, at a protest is terrifying. Knowing my sister is a submissive and a fierce, force of a woman in this political climate is terrifying. But what’s even more terrifying, is thinking that I’ve been making you feel like this since you got here. I don’t want to be a monster. Not to you. Maybe I can deal with being an ass like mom and dad if it means keeping you safe, but I can’t deal with being like someone who once made you feel like the opposite. Please, Riley... talk to me. Help me to understand so I can do better. So I can help. Please.

The texting me if you’re not coming home at night is so I know who I have to murder if you disappear, not so I can judge you or tell you that you can’t do something. Riley... please help me understand. You’re... crying. I just want you safe. That’s all. But I obviously touched something I shouldn’t have. I’ve never seen you like this before.

But you are looking back at it. You’re doing it right now. Every time I– ...you get like this. You not texting me so I know you’re safe... all of that is because of something that happened at school, isn’t it?

No, you don’t get to say something like that then shut down. Is that why you’re doing this? Someone was controlling you at school? It can’t be mom and dad ‘cause there’s no way you’d put up with that long distance. 

I’ll deal with it if it means I won’t ever be called to arrest you. What do you mean you were unsafe in Boston?