Wronged

? 15 ?

"But giving important information to Vlad?!" Nico shouts. "That was our main shit to protect, apart from her." He nods toward me, which makes me even more confused. "You couldn't of found another way to get him to fire you?! Or maybe tell him the truth?!"

"If I told him the truth, he wouldn't of let me go!" Dakota barks. "And if I wasn't let go, I couldn't of been here right now!"

"Well maybe that would be for the better," I growl, stopping this fight before it could escalate. Dakota turns to me. "You need to leave. Now. You and I will meet up somewhere, but I can't stand to be around you right now. All this is too much to take in, and I'm out of the loop!"

Dakota stares at me, angry face changing to sullen. "Anna, wait. I'm sor-"

"Go. Leave your number on the table," I state, not looking him in the eye.

There's a silence that falls over everyone before Dakota complies, writing his number out on a piece of notebook paper taken from the coffee table notepad. He slams it on the tabletop, making me flinch, and then storms out of the house. The door shuts loudly, causing vibration.

And at the same time, thunder rumbles the sky.

I sigh and look out the window. It's been thundering with storms for awhile, but not in the nights for a bit. Not since a few days ago. I really wasn't looking forward to being left in my room.

"Anna," Hayley says quietly, coming over to me. "Are you alright?"

I nod. "I'm fine. But I need to know one thing, Nico."

He looks at me, without changing his neutral expression, arms crossed. He's silently urging me to continue.

"What kind of work are you and Dakota involved in?"

He glances at the ground, not wanting to answer. And he doesn't. Not for awhile. All you can hear is the clashing storm outside, meaning Nico was most likely to stay here tonight with Hayley like he always does. Meaning, in turn, we have plenty of time.

"It's dangerous stuff. Illegal stuff," Hayley answers. Nico gives her a look, and she holds up a finger. "But it's for you to ask Aiden, alright? Just know that it's his commands to keep you protected at all times."

That explains why Nico was saying that they needed to "protect me."

"Wait." I face my foster sister. "Are you involved too?"

Her eyes widen. "What?! Oh, God no." She laughs. "I just am obligated to know everything that goes on, since Nico's my soulmate."

I breathe a breath of relief and nod, turning away again. This was so much to take in, but I didn't want to ask anymore. I just don't want to know any more. If I do, then someone could hurt me. Say I do know too much.

But plot twist: if someone does happen to get me, I can say I don't.

~

Clash!

I jump and curl into myself even further, as if to hide away from the sky. I keep tossing and turning, afraid that if one part of my back is exposed, the lightning could sneak up behind me and take me away. My eyes are wide and I shake, trembling nervous sounds from my throat.

I can hear the faint murmurs of conversation across the hall, meaning Hayley and Nico have yet to fall asleep. So I can't whimper or cry like I usually do. I have to hold it all in as to keep them from trying to check on me.

Cra-Crack!

"Shut up, sky," I whisper, closing my eyes softly. A single tear slips from my right eyelid. "Shut up. Shut up. Shut up."

My door creaks open and I freeze, keeping my back turned. I keep my eyes closed and quickly wipe away the tear, trying my best to conceal my rapid heartbeat. I steady my breathing, ignoring the insane sounds and flashing lights in the night outside my window.

I wait for Hayley to whisper if I'm okay. I wait for Ms. Morgan to tell me goodnight. I wait for Nico to ask me if I've got any condoms for him to use. But nothing. No whispering. No concern.

The bed dips beside me, and my eyes snap open. I don't turn around yet, but my breathing picks up again. Who is it? Why is he/she laying down in my bed next to me?

Bang!

I tremble due to the thunder, my muscles having intense convulsions.

Suddenly the mystery person pulls me into him/her, and the familiar pine scent enters my senses. It smells just like his room.

"Shh. It's alright. I'm here. I got you."

Shivers run down my arms and spine and back entirely. I'm only in a black lacy bra and underwear. It's silky and comfortable to sleep in. And I feel that he is merely naked as well, only boxers covering our first layer of skin from touching. My cheeks burn, completely on fire.

Thunder rolls in again, but he distracts me by hugging me closer. His nose dips down to my hair and inhales deeply.

"A-Aiden?"

His next words sound so promising. They sounds exactly like Dakota's before he left me that night. In fact, they are the exact words he said that night.

"Go to sleep, Dimples. I won't leave you."

•••
A/N:
I've got an butt ton of tests incoming for the next three weeks for school and for my head. I'll try to update as much as I can. <3