Chapter 8: Caught

~Ariah~

Opening her eyes blinking a few times and looking around to find herself in Xavier's room. "We really need to stop meeting like this. I really don't think my heart is built to stand it." Xavier told her in that deep voice that made her heart weak walking to her side of the bed. "How long have I been out? I tried my best but it was no where near good enough." She told him sadly. " You got checked out by our doctor and paramedics to release you here at home you been out almost a whole day since it happened it's already night time again baby. Hunter told me you lost one of your new friends yesterday. I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?" Xavier asked holding one of her hands and rubbing her cheek with the back of his other. "Did he tell you anything else?" She was so lost in Killian's words her heart told her they meant something more, her brain was telling her it was probably more than she was able to handle right now either way she needed to start digging to finally know what the hell is going on, he may have done bad things but Killian was not lying to her she knew that.

"Just that you were meeting up with a friend doing some research for a lead and things took a bad turn. Then a rock hit your head from the back patrol cars thundering in. Other than that I just know what the doctor said which was to take it easy for a couple days and that the stitches will dissolve in time just don't get them wet until the day after tomorrow." Xavier said lifting the bandage to check them over. "You feel nauseous, or dizzy or anything? Stomach pain, headache?" Looking into her eyes looking for the truth. "No, I'm sore and tired but other than that fine no concussion symptoms like that." Waving him off nodding his head to her answer. "How about food? What do you think you be able to handle? Chicken noodle soup? Sandwich? Maybe something on the light side for your stomach. You know just in case." "You're not going to let me up to make it are you?" "Nope." "Yeah Turkey Sandwich with Lettuce, little mustard, and avocado keep it simple. Some BBQ chips please." "Sweet tea?" "Yup. Thanks babe." Kissing her head to get up to leave. "Xavier?" Turning around to see what else she needed. "Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Looking at her he knew what she meant. "In time baby. We're not there yet." Walking out the door before she could say anything else maybe she's getting her answers now. Are we ever going to get there? How long can I really wait?

Waiting until Xavier finally left for work and knowing papa Russo would not be in the office it took two days of laying in bed to finally sneak out and go to the office. Going to her desk and filling Jace in on her plans she decided what the next move was going to be. It would no doubt be long and hard and she was just hoping her heart would make it out all of this alive, not be completely sure she could bounce back if she were to break again there may not be no turning back around. Hearing her phone going off with the unfamiliar number, looking at her clock on the wall to see how long she has been in the office. Hmm took longer than I thought it would. "Detective Alderman." "What the hell are you doing in the office? Why aren't you answering your phone?" "How do you know I am at the office?" "Really Ari you going to joke around right now? I know your not at home because I called to check on you and no one could find you." "First off love bug I haven't technically been home, I've been with you this week. Second off I'm not joking with you I have been cleared by the doctor as you well know to come do desk work which I have a lot of. Now since I didn't tell anyone where I was going how did you know."

"It didn't take very long to guess Ari. I know almost better than you know yourself and you know that for a fact." "Fine. What do you need right now though honey I'm in the middle of some very important things." "WHAT DO I WANT?! I WANT you to get your ass back in my bed and rest up a few more days." "Oh sweet heart we both know that's not going to happen." "The laughter is not needed. I'm serious right now. Just…just promise you wont leave your desk. Please just can you do that?" "First off don't start getting smart with me and snipping at me. You said you know me so damn well why are you so shocked and mad that I am here? I am only going to do desk work for the rest of the week because that's how long missing three days will take me in fact I will be working from home all weekend. I appreciate you being so worried about me I understand where you are coming from I really do. But you calling at me at work to yell at me for doing my job I was cleared by your very own doctor to do is ridiculous and I don't appreciate your tone now when you decide to talk to me like I'm a person who has feelings than you can call me back. Until then maybe you need to spend the night in your own bed and think about how to properly address your girlfriend while getting your anger issues in check." "Ari don't you dare." She slammed her finger on the hang up button missing the days when you could slam down the phone.

The damn nerve of that man calling my damn line yelling at me like a child in trouble I get why he's upset but damn there's a way to say your feelings without acting like dick talking to herself in her head when she looked up to see the door opening while someone knocking on it. "Figured you be here. Got a call from a frantic Leah when she dropped by and couldn't find you. "You know what Hunter I'm glad your here come in and shut the door please." "WOW. Am I in trouble? Are you going to spank me." "Something along those lines. Shut the door." Surprised by the seriousness in her voice he did what she was asked. "Hunter do you have anything you want to tell me?" "I'm a little nervous by your behavior right now and I'm a little hungry." "I believe that. Xavier told me you told him I was hurt while on a lead to case. That was fine. Until I got ahold of these. Sliding her phone his way with screen shots. Of details of what happened even her location of where. "This was not ok. You know better than to give out information like this to anyone not involved. No matter who they are to us, and you know it. So why did you?" "How did you even get these?" "Hunter your treading a thin me with me right now. Can you tell me why you did what you did?" "I think I just panicked and was worried I mean I can't explain I did that. I was worried and I knew he would be so worried I needed you to get to the closest doctor and that was his the doctor wanted details so I gave them. I was just scared for you." "Now see I can believe most of that. You didn't need to text them to Xavier especially all of the extra stuff no one not in the case needed to know." Taking a deep breath looking at him not making eye contact.

Knowing there was something else wrong with this situation not being able to handle losing another friend. "I'm officially taking you off any and all things involving both sides of the mafia cases. You will go on local gang cases anything you have you need to give to Jace or leave on my desk. If any one asks you just tell them I need you on other things right now, and I will do the same. This is the best thing that is going to happen for you right now, trust me it could be so much worse. I know your lying to me Hunter and that cuts deep. I'm not going to tell anyone any of this because believe it or not I still see you as a friend not wanting to see anything bad happen to you because I honestly don't think I can handle losing another friend so soon this week. Even though you can't be a friend to me starting with telling me the truth maybe one day you will. You may leave now you have thirty minutes to forfeit your files. Also when you call Xavier to give him a full detailed report if I was a good girl at my desk today I want you to remind him of three things. 1) Acting like a dick wont make his bigger. 2) There shouldn't be more dick in his personality than his pants. Finally sometimes it's not what you say it's how you say it. I better not find him at my house when I get home or it wont be good for either of you. Shut the door on your way out." Looking back to her paper work signing off things.

Hunter staring at her in shock slowly getting up and opening the door to find Jace with a flower arrangement. "Hey boss lady this came for you. Also we checked with everything we can't find Moretti he has officially went into hiding. His office can not say when he will be back but the guy who works under him is taking his place until he makes his way back we aint getting anywhere no leads." Placing the arrangement down. Frowning at it she knew it wasn't Xavier no matter how rich he is he's not that quick. Taking the envelope. 'Words can't say how sorry I am for how things went down with Killian my best friend. My heart also aches for the things you found out and the things yet to still be discovered. I can't seem to leave you alone no matter how much I need to. I will come for you when the time comes. You are already in this so much more deeper than you think, and I won't give you up now. Until than.- love Nix.' After reading the note her mouth dropped. "Boss you alright?" Jace asked concerned even Hunter looking worried. "I need to get to forensics." Getting up and rushing out the door with the card throwing the flowers in the trash bin on her way.

~Xavier~

Pounding away on the gym bag in his home gym. SHE HUNG UP ON ME! You were being a colossal asshat. She should have stayed home why can't she listened to the doctor. Few more days wouldn't have hurt her. She could have done all that work from fucking her damn laptop on the damn bed. She only did what you do all the time how many times have you been shot and went back out the next day? Hypocrite. She just lost a friend you should be more considerate to her emotions which are running high right now. Exactly she just lost a friend because of that damn Gunner I told her to stay away from him. I warned his sorry ass. It's time to pay up on that promise. After arguing with himself. He looked up to see Hunter looking at him with aggravation. "Honey I'm home. Please dear come sit let me tell you about my day." Hunter said to him holding a strong drink in his hand undoing his tie.

"It was Moretti. He's taunting her now. It's only a matter of time now. We let them be long enough getting in our fucking way it's time to get rid of the problem. Tell the men to get ready we move in a few days." Xavier told him looking down at the drink he stole from Hunter. Axel came in half through the conversation Hunter got up to go tell Ryder the new plans. "I fucked up really good. Didn't I." Not looking at Axel just starring at the drink in the glass. "Yup. Got to say I think we all did though. There's so many ways that this can go down. Let's just try the best we can and do damage control. We'll attack and get rid of Moretti in three – four days. Than the next day you tell her everything that way at least even if she bags and tags us at least all the girls will be safe." Axel said sadly. "You're willing to miss out on the possibility of not marrying Leah?" "If it's what makes things right, and I end up getting put away it's not relay fair for me to lock her down to leave her in the first place." Axel said with a shrug. Nodding in agreement.

Laying down in his room it was taking everything in him to stay put not running straight to her house and punishing her for keeping him away. Then again if he could have just kept his temper in check it'd be different. If he was going to keep away he wasn't going to stay silent about it. Looking at his phone texting her to try to give his heart some relief. 'I'm sorry for how I spoke to you. I could have said all that in a better way. I realize that after everything you went through this past week you really didn't need or deserve that. I just can't help but worry about Angel. I love you so damn much. I will give you the space you want but could you just please let me know you got home alright and you're ok?' Looking at the time and waiting for her to respond back. The bubbles popped up, and were moving until they stopped after about two minutes. They appeared again showing someone was typing to stop again. Ten minutes later he was giving up hope on hearing back from her tonight until he hear the notification reading made his heart stop.

'I can do that. I love you Xavier. I'm going to need more than a day space though. I know you're holding something back from me and it's starting to affect me. I don't want to keep moving further knowing you're keeping something from me. You keep saying later and I'm not ready. It's been almost five months I'm starting to think you're never going to be ready to be fully honest with me. So maybe it would be best if we took some time apart and you figure out if we are something you really want because if you can't fully trust me by now then what's really the point. I will be home soon.' 'I trust you with everything in me Ariah and you know that. I don't need time to figure anything you are what I want and you know this. You know you're my life source Ari. I'm sorry if you feel like I am holding back from you. I have important business to handle the next few days. But.' Taking a deep breath he knew he had to do it.

'I just need you to wait until I get back and I will tell you everything. Please just don't lose faith in us this easy. Please don't do this my angel. 'You promise to tell me everything no matter how uncomfortable or hard it may be to say or hear?' His heart went into his stomach she already knows then he thought to himself. 'Nothing but the truth.' 'Then I guess we are taking space until then.' 'What's that supposed to mean?' 'It means we are still together, but we are taking some time apart until you tell me everything.' 'If that's what you need to keep you with me then fine. Come Friday your ass is mine and we'll settle all this damn mess. So help me God if I find another guy trying to get next to you though Ariah. You have to let me know your alright in the time apart. Just a text saying your ok at least once a day. You can't expect me not to worry about you after getting your head busted open.' He was getting angry.

'I will send you a I'm still alive text once a day until the end of the week. This is your last chance Xavier please don't let me regret it.' He knew better than to reply and that they had said enough for the night. She wanted to leave him because of everything he's been holding back form her. His heart breaking wondering if she will love him enough not to leave once she knows. So much rage built up he picked up the phone. "Boss?" "Change to plans I want you to blow the warehouses now not tomorrow. Blow Gunners shit NOW! We're starting stage one tonight not tomorrow." He said hanging up on the call just to pick it up to call Ryder. "Sup boo." "You know I hate that." "You hate that you love it." "Get dress we going on pick up runs tonight. Tell the other two twat wits." "Hey now just cause your woman don't want you in her bed tonight, why we can't be with our women in ours?" Ryder whined after about a minute or two in silence. "I'll be there in fifteen." Ryder said hanging up the phone.

The alley was dark and they were waiting for the man to use it as a quick out from the club. Xavier was sure to make a couple of his collector men in to scare the man he was waiting for out. The man was given a certain loan to open a club, and has been late on the last two payments, which is sad being nearly half way paid off. Xavier wasn't all too worried about it until he realized same man was using his payment and club to sell drugs for Moretti, while using his product. No one crosses him to help the enemy. Soon as the guy noticed the men he ran out the secret back door that went into a special alley way. Opening the door to see about ten men in front of them as his face turned white and fell.

"Leaving so soon Nico, but the night is so young?" Xavier told him with a sinister smile. "Look I know I'm a little late but please just tell Reaper I will have it to him Friday morning all three months payments." "You really think that is why we are here, because of some late payments?" Blade asked in laughter as all the other men smirked and shook their heads. "What will we tell him about you bedding down Gunner's suppliers in the same bed you're currently for to the Reaper himself?" Pyro asked with a sick smile and confused look on his face. "I. I am not bedding anyone." He said looking around the group. "You really want to lie to my face boy? Haven't you already heard. Terribly sorry to be the one to tell you but your club has had a small explosion. Moretti's men seemed to be having a special meeting as they we're just going through a very big shipment this evening. It looks like faulty wiring was the issue and the weirdest thing is you have on your computer a plane ticket one way to the Eastern Islands. Got to say things are not looking to good for you Nico. What will the police say with all the insurance fraud. Better yet what would Moretti say with not only the loss of his men, and product, but selling point to the man who took his money thinking he was screwing me over and left country?" Xavier said with fake concern.

"You're lying." The man said as his phone went off and listening to the voicemail of frantic employees of the building on fire and how people are looking for him, his eyes widened in shock. "You really thought you could screw us over and get away with it?" Reaper growled at him. "No, no this isn't happening. You can't do this. I want ot see Reaper take me to Reaper!" Nico roared loudly in Xavier's face. "I AM REAPER!" He snapped back to the man as one of his men knocked him out with the back of his gun. "I fucking knew it." The soft voice said barely able to be heard. The men snapping their heads her way. FUCK! They all instantly thought. "Ari." He breathed out low meeting her eyes not breaking contact with her. Fuck.