OCTAVIA

“If I behave?”

Oof. She was still mad. Titulated by her retort, as he set his drink down after downing it, a sudden darkened glare—the devil’s mask in which he chose for the evening was well thought out, as hands gripped her hips, spinning her torso to face him.

“I know I’ll behave, I always do, baby. It’s you I’m concerned with. Planning to run off with the next available man?”

Not on his watch.

One hand dropped, seeking hers as he tugged her. “One dance—and you’ll forgive me.” He knew it. “Unless you’re planning on making me work for it.” And it’d be an easier win.

It was like being pulled back in to something she knew she had to stay away from. His scent alone was enough to die for but his proximity made the skin she wore burn with desire, a thick lust and need for the raven haired man had been implanted deep within her core some few years ago. But as she stood before him, feeling his grabbing hands on her bony hips she had to will herself to not get any closer for the fear of her heart hurting like it had only a month prior. 

‘‘You only behave when there is something in it for you.’‘ She states; first hand knowledge from working with over a long period of time. He was selective with his people and time, and for that she was always honoured that he’d kept her around.

For reasons she was still unsure of. 

But Luthor knew how to reel her pack in like fish to a baited hook as her mouth watered for him; but it was her mind that was too far out of her reach. Body alone craved him close enough to symbolise the need for a drug. But Octavia had talked herself into knowing what she had to do to keep him interested. It had been words from others as she’d poured herself to them over drinks alone in a bar. The yearning from him which had grown over the space of one lonely month had known changed her perspective on some things.

But she knew her will power only went so far. Mouth opened and closed as her woodland eyes gazed up at him for a moment. It all flashed back, the nights of wishing he’d look at her the way he was right now --- but she knew he wasn’t looking at her how she wanted. It was his game to keep her close enough but still far away. 

It hurt her beyond comprehendible words.

‘‘I actually already had a request to dance by the gentleman you so rudely interrupted.’‘ although her tone was sweet and kind; innocence that she had perfected herself. Reaching up and blindly fixing his tie as she had done so many times previous. 

‘‘I always plan on making you work for it.’‘ She states sourly as she presses up onto her tones and plants a kiss to his cheek before pulling from his touch and flashing her pearly whites as she begins to head back to her conversation. 

Ha. Octaiva one. 

It’d been enough, as Luthor lurked, as he considered many an option to the crowd. He didn’t care. Didn’t matter to him, as he lifted the glass of the amber liquid to his lips, watching. Waiting, really. It was his pickings, like a child in a candy store.

Which treat did he want today?

But there was one in mind, as he slipped an arm around her waist, a tilt of his head. “What do you think, you’ll save me a dance?”

@theconartistx

Octavia had been in conversation delving deep into the town’s politics. The Black Rabbit had just re-opened after the catastrophe not too long ago; she had not heeded the words of her master but instead stood on her own two legs for once and held her ground. Although the month had been long, like a cold winter in her favorite books she used to read as a child. Each day had grown a little colder --- she honestly hadn’t expected to see him here. 

But of course, this was Luthor Russo. He’d be here working his angle no doubt. 

Octavia had turned and carried on her conversation as she laughed at something the other male had said. She wasn’t really listening and no doubt it was a compliment she had no interest for. But feeling his arm like that of a snake charmer she witheld the sigh that instantly began to grow in the base of her throat as she turned her head. 

Tonight Octavia had gone classy as she wore a blue silk like ball gown with beads embedded in the bodice; it was fit for a queen and a gift from another male; one that was not Luthor. It must have been in her subconscious to wear something that Luthor had not purchased for her. Either way it made her look and feel fabulous. 

‘‘A dance?’‘ She questions leaving an awful gap before she shrugs. ‘‘Maybe, if you behave.’‘ 

The irritability that sunk into the depth of his bones was nothing compared to the irritation of her sudden snap, the reverberated tone of her voice, as it echoed, as darkened hues of his own turned to slits. The fire—he’d loved that fire for a thousand lifetimes, but it was not her place to know or be known by his world—not personally—not yet.

“I don’t want you getting in with them.” It wasn’t a question or doubt to her skill, but her need to peel from him, break away. Like he was losing another—shaking that feeling, he’d bore himself into it back home in Toronto, he didn’t need this now. Breathe, keep still—his mood swung as much as a stripper on a pole, and at least back home—it was a show.

“Don’t preach to me your humanity, Octavia—“ It was the brashness of his tone. That sudden cut-throat nature of his words that could’ve killed them both, as he would’ve bled out for her, in her pleas.

Not that he liked it—not that with each word she ushered forth, he felt the cuts deeper within, like she was intent on stabbing him, watching the blood drip from each wound of her cursed words. As he fought to meet her eyes, silence her within the resounding rubble of something she’d built—of course he was proud. But he kept his distance.

He had too. For her.

“Octavia, stop—“ He warned her, the ushered tone of daring her contempt in going further, rising higher than she had now that her words fell, as his blood boiled, as his own need for control seeped over. “Stop, Octavia—“ She didn’t. “Stop—“ Her words carried over his own, until it thrust forth. “I said STOP!” It was the crowning echo of his own as he approached her slowly.

Like a predator upon his prey.

Wasn’t that what she was anyway? His?

“That’s it?” He murmured, a raised brow, prepared to see through all. Sometimes he worried. Worried the arm’s length kept her far enough from him that she wanted to be away from him, his insanity. But he couldn’t.

He needed her.

Not that she would ever know, nor understand.

His hand once more wound around the back of her neck, as he pulled her in. “Stop fighting me,” He ordered, a gentle tone remarked his outburst, as a hand coaxed through her hair. He was close. This was his dark temptation, the raven-haired beauty within his reach. However he wanted her, he could have her.

He denied himself his only love.

“I would not abandon you, my darling.” He looked down, his thumb hooked under her chin, whether she be shamed by her tears or not. “I would not.” Luthor paused. “Understand that,” He murmured, as he resumed his previous position, allowing her to look away, even for a second.

So long as she remained close.

“My brother and mother were killed in a shooting. Accident—but all the pieces were not in place—bringing you to that raises questions—my primary concern was my sister.” He kissed the top of her head, lingering.

Was he sad? Of course. This was his family. But Luthor put everything into neat little boxes. Perhaps a lone shower later in the evening would relinquish the cry of pain needed—for now, it was her who needed him. “Harper—I want you to look out for her—there’s no one I trust more.” He whispered, arms finally wrapping around her shoulders, as he allowed silence to seep in.

“You know, the purpose of a hug is because you miss someone, and right now I feel like I’m holding a mannequin.” He quipped, tilting his head to the side with a small smirk. “Didn’t miss me at all, did you?” His smile broadened. “Oh, how will I live?”

With Luthor telling her what he wanted she knew that even if she argued with him eventually she would do what he asked because he was her person. The one person in this world that she loved more than she loved herself. He was the sun in her life after the darkest night. And there were parts of her that sank lower and lower with each passing moment. Throat closing while words were choked sentences. 

‘‘I have made a deal...’‘ Her voice trailed off; these people were the kind of people to kill her if she didn’t follow through. She was with the Stone cartel now. It wasn’t as easy as walking away just because she wanted too. Eyes close momentarily as she prepared herself to tell him the next part. ‘‘I accepted Ten Million from Raphael for the business.’‘ Voice but a whisper as she waited to be fed to the wolves. 

She was too let go of all the hard work she had done in his absence. It just confused her beyond reproach. How could she keep going places and waiting for a man she never knew would turn up. Would it be one week? one month or three. It was a guessing game and like the loyal dog like human she was she did everything he said. But the second she did something that she wanted she was disciplined. 

In all honesty she felt like she had whiplash. 

But taking just a moment to look at him her chest swells with what could only be described as love; an all consuming love that took over every fibre of her being. It ran through her veins and made her heart beat fast and strong. The kind of love that authors wrote about and singers serenaded the world with. They wrote of heart break and sorrow and she felt every single feeling possible to man when she looked at Luthor. 

Sometimes even the tiniest bit of hate made it’s way in there. She hated the way he had her wrapped so cooly around him; anything he asked he got and he knew it. Octavia knew he knew it but always convinced herself that he was doing it for her. She knew deep down that it wasn’t that; but she wouldn’t admit that to herself. Not any time soon, anyway. 

And then the tone of his voice snapped.

Silence followed as her lip trembled; body unused to this much emotion rushing through her eyes no longer able to look at the beautiful man before her as they land on the shattered glass of the chandelier beneath her feet.

And then when he approached her, something inside her stirred, while she stared with parted lips at the man she’d spent years loving. That very man whom right now was made at her outburst and it was in that moment that she realised she’d fucked up. Shaking hands and erratic feelings consumed her being; mind trying to rationalise what she said but doubting everything she’d said in those last few moments.

Her need for him was an addiction she knew she’d never fully get over. 

When in his arms she felt like her world changed in a heart beat; warmth radiated through her body although she was un-moving as her breath lodged in the back of her throat. It was moments like this that she imagined late at night when she was lay in her bed wondering if he’d ever feel the way she did. When she’d cry herself to sleep from the lonliness of the life she had chosen all those years ago; when dreams of her parents woke her up screaming. Those were the things she thought of at first.

But moments passed and it slinks away when she begins to remember the feeling being here with him. His soft words taking over her and replacing the fear and panic. This here, in his arms was saftey--- the kind she craved when he was gone. What she needed.

‘‘Y-You don’t understand what it’s like to be without you.’‘ She admits freely eventually the tension in her arms loosen, letting out a Jaggered breath she chucks her arms around him and burying her head into his body even if only for a few moments. His scent takes over her sense of smell; a memory she’d think about for weeks to come.  ‘’You know that I’d follow you anywhere you go--- I was simply just trying to set something up for us.’’ She mutters through each sniffle.

But the next words caused her heart to sink the lowest part of her stomach as eyes snap open and look straight ahead. He’d never really told her about his family; always a subject that was skirted around and she knew better than to probe further as she kept her lips firmly zipped shut. Family were dead. Sister was in town. 

Wow, her head was spinning.

‘‘Are you...’‘ She stopped herself from asking the further question knowing he wouldn’t be OK with the fact that he’d lost his family. She had personally hated when people asked her that after her parents early demise. ‘‘I won’t leave you.’‘ She reaffirms him with a strong nod against his body. ‘‘I am not going anywhere, you got it?’‘ She says pulling her head back to look at him with glistening eyes from her own tears. 

She looked a mess. 

But like playing cat and mouse he used words of trust in her to make sure she fell in line. And the sad part was eyes of hope gave him the answer he would need; she was agreeing without even thinking twice. ‘’I’ll look out for your sister...I’m assuming she knows about me then?’’ Octavia questions wearily. She wondered if he kept her a secret as much as he had kept his family a secret from her? 

The words which followed caused a breathy laugh; as she reached up and rubbed at her face trying to bring herself back to the present with him. Luthor was here --- in front of her. She gulps thickly as she imagined him coming back one day and kissing her. Oh how she wished he would so badly. 

‘‘You know that I miss you every second of every day you’re gone.’‘ She states with an eye roll wavering him off with her hand as she looked over her shoulder and sighed loudly. ‘‘And just prepare yourself because this town is not what it seems.’‘ She muttered. 

He folded the paper, a bestowed look upon the raven haired woman who sat across from him now. Sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose, as he lifted the tea cup to his lips silently, setting it down to mull over his thoughts. “There was nothing you could’ve done, Octavia.” Eli finally ushered forth. “It would’ve happened to anyone—this power wasn’t yours to consider, it was the power of others, they just waged the war within the bar.”

Considering her words, as he pursed his lips. “I do—the man who instructed you to steal from me…” He murmured, a short bob of his head. How he’d like to—no—not during tea, he thought. No death threats or eluded murder plots during something calming. “Are you concerned? Scared for your safety?”

Reaching into his side bag, business having been conducted prior to his stop here, he gripped his check book, scratching his signature into the corner and looking up. “How much will the repairs be?” He asked, as though it was obvious his intention. “Come now, if you’re to get the bloody place up and running, I need an estimate.”

She could have hired more security, been clever and not disappeared and left the room unattended while she got rich; there was always something that could have been done. ‘’I just wanted The Black Rabbit to be an escape from all that bullshit that goes down in Lakewood, you know?’’ She admits with a sigh. 

But that was a pipe dream and she should have known that. 

The way he admitted to remembering Luthor made her heart hammer. Maybe she should have never mentioned him? Oh crap. But then she almost wanted to laugh at his statement as she shook her head in his direction. ‘’I am concerned he’s going to leave me behind but I don’t for a second think he’d ever hurt me.’’ She admitted with a shrug. Having feelings for him? That was the only thing that could hurt her. She felt invisible when in his presence. ‘’Have you ever loved someone who was out of your reach?’’ She asks with furrowed brows and thin lips. 

It was a question she asked many hoping here would be an answer she liked.

Octavia’s head snaps to the side with eyes of hazel now doe like in size. Had he just offered to fix it all? The black mist of misfortune that had been brought over The Black Rabbit. At the snap of his pen it could all be taken away, like a prince charming wishing away the bad witch in the children’s favourite cartoons. Lips part in disbelief for a second; she’d accepted money from him in the past but it had been part of a bargain she had broken. Why would he help her again? Reaching up she tucks some hair behind her ear to buy her time. 

‘‘Are you being serious Eli--- you have no reason to want to help me?’‘ She admits honestly. Now don’t get her wrong she would take the money and fix the place up. She wanted The Black Rabbit to be a success because Luthor was so angry that she could at least have something worth showing for his anger; right? ‘‘I mean Thank you, I accept. But why?’‘ She questions again shaking her head. 

Was it her or was she going crazy? Money was being offered to her left, right and centre. When the money from Raphael came in life would never be hard again but she wanted and needed to get this going before then. For her sanity more than anything.

Do as you’re told. Reina didn’t need it to be said, already had the saying practically tattooed internally onto her skull. She wasn’t an idiot–if there was a request from the Reyes themselves, she obeyed. She knew the outcome, knew the payout, and she was a willing, dutiful soldier. Actually, not a soldier, that was a technical position in the cartel. A sheep that flocked to where the green was.

Which was why she found herself at the Black Rabbit, dawned in her police uniform, evidence kit in hand and her partner holding the door open for her as they stepped inside. “Ms. Monraue,” She greeted, stopping just before the woman, taking an initial glance of the place in the broad daylight. “Hope it’s alright but my partner and I wanted to take one last look around in case we missed anything from the night’s chaos. You mind?”

@theconartistx

How could it have gone so wrong so quickly? The same question kept swirling around in the head of hers as she tugged anxiously at the small hairs at the bottom of her neck. And now this place was no longer just hers but a portion of The Stones; it was slowly becoming a complete disaster. 

It was like reliving the night over and over again as she stood inside looking at the carcass of the full place that had been alive only the night previous. A sigh build up as shoulders deflate and back falls against the wall. The voice almost came out of nowhere as she jumped turning to look at the woman she knew as Reina; it was a small town and you learnt everything pretty quickly. 

With a sigh she bites at her bottom lip. 

‘‘Hello --- yes of course, do what ever you have to.’‘ Voice tired and choked as she drops into the seat burying her head into her hands. It was like she couldn’t even get five minutes to collect her thoughts before someone was around her whether it was a member of the stones, fixing what had happened here or having Luthor breathing down her neck. 

‘‘I don’t understand what else you could want from this place though.’‘ She admitted. 

Logan wanted to snort under his breath—and did, as the cocky grin appeared, easily enough. Her bomb show of a bar settled business even higher for his, and as this nature was initially his own Dad’s—it was all for the man, anyways, why not make it work. “Tough day at the office?” He asked, chiding tone, as he set the bottle before her, unscrewing the lid and placing a straw down as well. “Helps if you wanna suddenly shotgun the fuckin’ bottle.”

Octavia probably should have reacted to such a shit-enthralled extravaganza when she walked into the Bullseye as she crinkles her nose to look around and see the strobe lighting cast shadows on a rowdy mob of teens and shameless vagrants. She thinks she could at least appreciate the aesthetics. 

Well, he could if she tried.

Looking back round to Logan she scoffed grabbing hold of the bottle and placing the straw between her red lips. Had it been a bad day? She thinks for a second and the only word that was screaming at her in her head was it had been a WRECK. Octavia’s life was like a derailed train that was possibly going to take three other trains out with her. 

‘’At this rate I may as well buy all the alcohol because there is not enough liquor in this place to fill the hole.’’ Octavia muttered as she ran a hand down her face. She wondered how long it would take until she actually cracked. Sure, she’d been through tougher times than this and under more heat and pressure. But it was different; everything had changed. Peeking at Logan she wandered what it was like to be settled somewhere.

‘‘If you could leave Lakewood, would you?’‘ She asks.

It was sad that in the world they lived in the sight of a woman standing in her doorway caused Harper’s physical being to relax fully. But she knew women could be crazy and serial killers too. She’d put away a handful. Less women than men, sure, but that didn’t justify anything. Harper was also hired to defend whoever had the most money, no matter the reason, to prove that the bad guys weren’t so bad…and she was good at it. Her and Luthor were raised to be crafty and deceitful, to do the job, to make ends meet–to survive. 

“Intrigued? By all this–” A vague sweep of her petite arm from the depths of her suitcase to her surroundings. “Making myself comfortable. A pit stop before I find my so-called ‘forever home’.” There wasn’t any use hiding the doubt, Harper longed to get back to Canada, but for now she’d stick with Luthor, the only family she had left. “The North. Way north of here.” Harper mused with a smirk, straightening and re-gathering her hair into a bun. “Tavie…I couldn’t guess what that’s short for. I’m Harper.”

The name forever home seemed so foreign to the likes of Octavia. Something that only few got to dream about; it wasn’t in her immediate future she knew that for sure. Not when Luthor had so many plans for them. She was always waiting on edge

‘‘I’m intrigued by anyone that decides to settle in Lakewood--- I’m somewhat new myself.’‘ She admits with a low chuckle. The first few weeks she’d spent here was recovering from her near death experience upon departure of Arizona. The bus ride in which she’d stitched herself up in the back while trying to keep quiet was something she’d never forget. 

It’d made her stronger that was for sure. 

And now here she was trying to make a life for herself to make sure she’d slid into life seamlessly and she’d fucked it all up within the matter of weeks. Things were exactly easy breezy at the moment; that much was certain. ‘’Where are you hoping to settle down for your forever home?’’ Octavia questions. 

When she thinks about settling down finally she thought of going back too England where she’d grown up with her parents before they uprooted their lives to the states. She’d go back to that small village and hopefully by her child hood home and stay far away from everyone and live a life alone. Luthor came to mind but she knew he didn’t want that with her so she tried to imagine a life without him. It was hard. 

‘‘North?’‘ She nods with a smile ‘‘Sounds far.’‘ She chuckles wavering her hand off on the comment as she leans against the door way folding her arms. When she listened to her name her brows furrowed for just a moment.

Why did the name Harper sound familiar? She brushes it off. 

‘‘Well it’s nice to meet you, Harper. If you need a friend while you’re here then I’m just a new as you; and I could use a friend to two..’‘ She flashes her pearly whites in the brunette’s direction. Another friend couldn’t hurt --- right?

Hands folded in her lap was a usual sitting style of the Secretary, poised and political, as she’d been shown since a young age for those akin to the position. The Cartel was a birthright, as she remained unreadable to the brunette.

“Yes, well, accidents do happen.” She offered, no semblance of remorse. “I have fun, though, I will give you that. How do you plan to rebuild?” Like she actually cared. It was considered conversation, at most.

Octavia’s laugh was bitter sweet, reaching up to push the hair over her shoulder and turning her head to look directly at Ravenna. There were parts of the woman before her that Octavia admired a lot; a coolness that she wished she could poses but knew that it would never be possible for herself. 

‘‘I’m glad you had a good time for the first part of the night.’’ Octavia states with a half smile as she gives a nonchalant shrug. She takes a moment to look down at the chipping nails from clearing the glass out of The Black Rabbit. 

‘‘I’ve got some backers in Lakewood that are helping me stay afloat and get everything up and running again; if it wasn’t for my new friends I guess you could say my dream was as good as gone.’‘ Octavia explains, a twinge of a smirk tugged at the corner of her painted lips. Wasn’t it funny that after all the work she’d put in to this place that Luthor would most likely make her give it up eventually. 

‘‘What have you got planned for the future, Ravenna?’‘ Octavia asks, mind going back to the first time she’d ever met the lady. Scared was the first memory before delight. A very sophisticated and elegant lady although now she knew enough to know to be weary. 

He picks up on the woman’s behavior and his gaze discreetly takes notice of the police officers. Judging by her actions, he can assume that she normally plays close to the opposite side of the law. New York City is his background, but there’s the slightest hint of an accent, depending on what words are spoken. However, the trait has all but faded overtime.

Aiden gives a faint smile at her comment before letting her take the seat. He might as well assist in her cover-up; besides, they are both technically on the wrong side of the law. “I’m Aiden,” he introduces before accepting the hand with one of his bandaged ones. “I don’t know why we haven’t met before. It’s pretty small town and eventually, we were going to run into one another.” He withdraws his hand. There’s a casualness to his voice that could be considered false and with all due respect, he’s going with the flow.

“But it seems like you’ve heard about me, in fact, I try to keep the mutters concerning me to a minimum.”

Usually Octavia would have stayed at the table for a matter of minutes before excusing herself to the bathroom and making an exit out of a window. But this was a small town --- people would notice if she didn’t return to a table where a handsome man had taken his time to speak with her. It wouldn’t go unnoticed and for that reason she prepared herself to actually have to spend some time conversing with him; he wasn’t bad on the eyes and he seemed nice enough. She just preyed that Luthor didn’t walk in any time soon.

‘‘Aiden.’‘ She repeats his name with a nod. Octavia knew why they hadn’t met before, because she very rarely ventured out unless they had some kind of importance to her. But then again she needed to come across as normal, she was after all being hunted down by the law. Some normal friends wouldn’t have gone amiss for her alibi. ‘‘I haven’t lived here long, I was in Arizona before this.’‘ Octavia admits with a half smile as she turns to the waitress and asks for a coffee. 

‘‘Have you been around this place long? Lakewood?’‘ She questions as she begins to grab the sweetener from another table before turning back to him. She was trying to seem as normal as possible; the woman didn’t even fucking like sweetener. 

Andy sometimes liked to go the park, and sing a little while playing his guitar, he could do that home, but fresh air was always better than staying on his apartment, he also could take his dog with him, so he could play a little. It was what he did, he went to the park with his pup, he let out the leesh, and sat down, before putting his guitar in position. He started to play one of his favorite songs She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5. It was one that he enjoyed singing a lot, maybe he was just a romantic, but that’s one of the songs that he played the most, and one of his favorites.

There was a lot that Octavia had to think about; a lot going on in her mind when it came to where she saw things going in the future. Like a turning table; trying to balance what was going on in her life daily. But struggling with the repercussions of what was coming depending on the path she decided to take. To clear her mind she’d decided to go for a walk --- it had always helped in the past as she tried to calm her thought pattern. 

But it was like a running tape where the handle had broken and water kept gushing with no option to stop it. No matter how hard she tried her mind filed and filed with water until she almost drowned in her own insecurities. How could she stop these probing thoughts? How could she move forward when she constantly felt like she was being yanked backwards. 

The sound however was calming as she walked along the pavement, hugging into her light jumper that covered most of her top half. Reaching up she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear as she watches him with a small smile. ‘’Sounds beautiful.’’ She comments.

Logan knew the drill, the bustle of a ‘wake’ or something akin to it within the Bullseye. Castro members, as himself, came and went far and wide, and tonight it was shut down to honour the family members that had fallen. Of course, he had the stack of papers in his office, read and re-read through them. And people thought he was bad for poppin’ a few eyeballs out, this town was filled with deranged, suicidal people. All that was left was for one of them to nuke the whole down and call it a day.

Wouldn’t be such a bad idea, Logan thought to himself, as he cleaned another glass. The bustle of the bar was high, people trying to talk over one another, as the thriving bodies danced to whatever someone paid for on the jukebox in the corner, lights dimmed and he locked eyes with the person in front of him. “What’ll it be?”

Out of all the places she could have gone she found herself at the bullseye. She shouldn’t have came along to her competition really but did it really matter now? She wasn’t sure if the black rabbit would see the light of day again --- unless she found someone to foot the bill it was going to stay closed until that day came. Or until she could do something else with it.

Taking a seat she took a look around at everyone who had come here. It pissed her off slightly that this had been like her place not even that long ago. When she heard his voice she turned around and offered a smile. 

‘‘My bar is currently out of action so I guess I’m gonna have to use yours.’‘ Octavia muttered sourly as she pressed a fifty dollar bill to the top of the counter. ‘‘Open me up a tab, will ya?’‘ She questions sliding it in Logan’s direction. The meeting with Luthor had put her in anything but a good mood and right now she wanted to drown her sorrows until the morning light. 

‘‘Tequila. The bottle.’‘

He’s technically not supposed to be out of the hospital yet, but he gave into the irritating itch to leave the confines of overly attentive staff and constant questions. Aiden stayed home for a few days before receiving a call, which made him regretfully leave Grady at the apartment.

Pushing open the door to the Cake Fairy Cafe, his eyes momentarily linger on the bandages that cover his hands before he strides inside. The scent of sweets reaches his nose and he has to resist the urge to order something as he passes the counter. He’s not sure who he’s looking for since he has a tendency to remember faces more easily than names. He figures that if someone needs him, they’ll find him here. As soon as he takes a seat, he’s approached and he glances up, “Are you looking for someone?”

The bottle was heavy in her bag, she’d stolen it around a half an hour ago and as always she’d wandered into the coffee shop which she would have done as part of her normal every day routine. She needed to come across normal, but eyes flicker up as she hears the radio of a cop going off. Heart hammers for a second and before she could wait for them to turn around she was standing before a man she didn’t know--- asking her a question she almost missed as she turned her gaze down to him. Beat. Before she reminded herself what she would have done if she was still in New York City. 

Octavia smirked ‘’No, I just thought you looked cute.’’ she uttered taking the seat opposite him as she offered out her hand ‘’I’m Octavia, it’s nice to officially meet you---’’ she trails off implicating that she wanted to know his name. It was part of her plan so if they came in here it wouldn’t look suspicious. 

‘‘Why haven’t we met before.’‘ It was all distraction. 

Did he like seeing that twinkle of worry in her eye?

Of course he did.

Take a broken angel under your wing, mend her own and show her the need to fly would only be justified if she wanted to leave his presence, leave the goodwill and trust he built around her. Like a bird in a cage, he’d keep her there, and aide in her song for all to hear.

Of course, that’d been a fickle dream, one ought not to be considered like others, for Octavia seemed as stubborn as she was eluded to his truths and found herself stumbling, hitting each brick of his lies. It was a shame, to fill her pretty little head with the ideal that they never were, never would be. Wasn’t that why he kept to her? Restrained himself so he wouldn’t show his nature, break a code and have to resort to packing up, leaving her for good?

No, that didn’t do well for him.

One leg crossed over the other, the substantial damage before them, as he remained silent, allowing her mind to dance back and forth with reasoning it wouldn’t come to, other than the fact that she put herself in this situation, developed the tattered thought to open a place. Did she forget the drifting part of their job? Get in, get what you wanted, and get the hell out.

“Oh, so we’re friends with the leaders all of a sudden?” He painted the annoyance with amusement, lips jutted slightly as he nodded. “And these people, cartels—obviously trustworthy enough, considering the damage they’ve done to your bar.” When he spoke, he was close to her, his movements like light, one moment here—the next there, as stifling as the close space was for him, as his hand cupped her cheek, he looked down at her, and the sudden shake of a head.

“You should’ve thought this through, Octavia.” He announced, returning to his seat, onyx hues settled upon hers, a mode of no interruptions in his look. “You should’ve never bought the place, you should’ve never gotten involved—you could’ve been seriously injured, and these people could’ve injured you! Did you forget everything I’ve taught you?” He paused.

“I want the names of people you’re in business with so I know you’re not getting screwed over.” Or just a general recall, whatever takes his fancy. “And since we’re now forced to settle here for the time being, feel free to fill me in on what I need to know.” And he paused. “And while we’re dropping bombs on one another. My sister is in town. She doesn’t know what we do. I’d like to keep it that way.”

With each word she felt like he’d shoved his hand into her chest and ripped out her heart. Each time he’d come home before there had been something she’d done that would cause some kind of happiness to be behind those otherwise cool eyes that he always had. She loved that about him usually --- there was a need within her to impress him and when she did there was nothing that could knock her down from the mountain she stood on. It was like she was on top of the world. But as she stared at him Octavia was confounded by the sheer feeling of anger that began to bubble in the pit of her stomach. ‘‘You sent me here with no direction, no idea of why I was here. I did everything I could to make myself seem normal.’‘ she says with confusion in her voice as Octavia tried to think of an excuse she could give him.

But she came up empty handed.

‘‘Yes. Yes I am in with the leaders of this town.’‘ She snaps and surprises herself as she pulls her head back. She should have stopped there and apologised, she knew that but she couldn’t because she’d already overstepped her position and one thing she was not doing was being seen as weak to him as well. Say what you mean; she heard in her head, her father’s voice leaking through to her thoughts. It was what he’d always said to her. ‘‘They are offering big money for simple tasks, Luthor.’‘ She states with a shake of her head ‘‘And I was doing what I had to to survive. I think you forget that I---’’ She stops and runs an anxious hand down her face, smudging her makeup along with it.

‘’---Me; who is right here in front of you was left alone to come up with some plan for when you arrive. I’m not a god damn mind reader--- I’m human after all.’‘

And a choke sob left her lips as she turns her gaze away from him as quickly as she could feeling a vulnerability she was unused too. One that was creeping up on her united with every fibre of her being. ‘‘God damn it---’’ She throws her hands to her hair as her eyes fill with tears but she does everything in her being to make sure they didn’t spill over. She didn’t cry; that wasn’t what she did. And if she felt like she had to it was taken to the confines of her own home where no one got to see that vulnerability. It was isolated to her and only her. But the anger pushed her to places she never wanted to go as the words slipped out without her even thinking through what it was that she was saying. ‘’---I came into town bleeding out and there were a lot of people asking questions.’‘ She sniffles ‘‘I did what I had to do to survive.’‘ and in that moment she knew that she was in too deep.

That Luthor was never going to understand what life was like to live without him, to be alone only wishing that he was beside her and he’d never see the parts of her that had to do things she didn’t want to so she could make sure she was moving forward. She couldn’t live a life stuck in time every time he left her for months without a word.

It was like living the same day over and over. Her very own ground hogs day.

His proximity has her pulse racing as she looks up at him with sadness lingering in her eyes, plastered all over her features. How did she tell him about the terror of her last night in Arizona --- what she’d endured and the guilt she carried around with her? That another lay dead and she almost joined them?

‘‘Injured?’’ She laughed bitterly as she felt the scar tighten on her lower stomach ‘’I was far gone by the time I got here but you wouldn’t know that, right?’’ She asks with a sour tone, challenging him. ‘’You wouldn’t know what I’d gone through because I once again had no idea where you were and when you were coming and how long I was going to have to wait for you, again.’’ Her voice became louder with each word before she came to a dead stop, chest heaving with heavy breath as she stared at him for a moment.

Hazel orbs flickering up to the face of the man she’d fallen in love with. Octavia felt as if her whole body was on fire; embarrassment, shame and guilt coursing through her veins. She hated disappointing the only man she wanted to impress but it was too late. In the past she’d scrambled to make it better; but there was stuff going on in this town that she couldn’t tell him--- and she hadn’t kept anything from him in a long time.

Roman Guerra.

Just thinking the name made her heart race as she gulps thickly. She should tell him but she knew that was something she’d try and avoid for as long as she could. If he asked she wouldn’t lie but she wouldn’t actively tell him. The new goal was to try and keep them as far apart as she could; those two in a room was the last thing she needed. And he was behind bars for the moment. When he got out would be another story all together.

‘‘Raphael Stone, Naomi Stone, Eli Drake and R---’‘ She stopped when she went to say his name remembering she’d let him go. ‘‘Just three.’‘ She muttered turning so she was facing away from him as a hand came to her mouth to stop herself from crying; so he couldn’t see the damage he’d caused without realising he’d even done anything.

He was breaking her. And she kept letting him.