Chapter 7

I groaned and closed my eyes tighter to block the light; I tried to use my arm as a shield, but I couldn’t. There was something heavy preventing me from moving.

I groaned again, annoyed, but then I felt the little movement of a warm body next to me. Opening my eyes slowly, I looked down at that warm body. It was her, Ariel.

She was sleeping peacefully snuggled at my side. Half of her body was above mine, her right arm around my torso, her right leg between my long legs, my right arm holding her tightly closer to my body.

I used my left hand to brush some curls away to be able to see her beautiful face; she sighed and snuggled even closer. I smiled and searched for my alarm clock to check the time.

09:00 Am! I slept more than 8 hours?! That’s a first. I looked back at Ariel’s serene face again and remembered yesterday’s events.

It was a hectic day, no doubt.

After coming back from the Vegas meeting, I was discussing the new security details with Theo and Leo and all of a sudden, Jacob and Tyler entered my office pale and nervous.

“We didn’t know? I swear to God we didn’t know. If we did, we’d have done something, but everything happened quickly. We didn’t get a chance to react.“ Jacob said nervously with a shaking body.

Tyler didn’t speak, but he was the same. Shaking like a leaf.

“What the fuck are you talking about? Are you stoned or something?” Leo asked, annoyed by the interruption.

“Sir Gabriel, please..... We....... we didn’t know, you have to believe us.” Tyler said rubbing his hands nervously.

“Can anybody tell us what all of this is about?” I demanded, examining them from head to toe, trying to figure out what the fuck was wrong with these two.

“It’s........ It’s about Ariel.“ Jacob said paling even more.

“Who?” Leo said with a frown.

Theo straightened and looked at me.

“WHAT.ABOUT.HER? WHAT.HAPPEND.TO.HER? “ I asked through gritted teeth, standing up a few feet away from them.

“I....I.......it’s.........“ The two of them stuttered.

I didn’t give them a chance to breathe. In one swift move, I squeezed Jacob’s neck.

“Answer me, what happened to her?” I demanded.

“There was an incident in school.......” he breathed heavily “...... some girl was harassing her and one dude of the football team manhandled her. But before Tyler or I could intervene, Blake was there beating the crap out of him. We didn’t know who she was to you; she was hiding the necklace inside her shirt. We didn’t know Sir, please.“ Jacob said choking.

I squeezed his neck harder, making him gasp for air; no one altered a single word, only gaping at the scene in front of them.

“Who dared to touch her?”

“It..........his....... Name is........... Nils Newton........ A Football player.” Jacob said through coughs.

I released his neck, making him fall with a thud. Tyler ran to his side.

I was furious. My body was shaking badly, the anger that I felt was consuming me rapidly.

How dare he touch her? How dare he hurt her? I’m going to kill him with my bare hands.

I throw the office door open and headed out. Leo followed me, confused, and Theo was next to me, matching my strides.

“Cerberus. What happened? What was that all about? Where are you going?“ He grabbed my arm trying to stop me.

“None of your fuckin business Leonidas.” I growled at him.

“Just tell me what’s wrong? And where are you going? We need to go to the club in an hour.”

I closed my eyes, trying to control my anger. After a couple of seconds, I started to walk again

“I’ll be there in time; I need to check on something.” I said ignoring his questions.

I felt like I’m on autopilot. All I can think of was her, I need to see her. I need to make sure that she’s alright. I need to find that fucker to rip him to shreds.

Theo followed me closely; he didn’t need to ask me where I’m going. He just hopped in the driver’s seat and started the engine, leaving me to my thoughts. In less than 20 minutes we were at the café she works at. I rushed inside to the counter feverishly looking for her, but with no luck.

“Where’s she?” I asked the 20 something man standing there.

“Umm..... sir......I don’t understand. Who are you looking for?”

“The little kid......Ariel. Where is she? I need to see her.“ My patience was starting to wear thin, and I clenched my fists, trying to control myself.

“Oh. Ari... She just finished her shift and went home with Catherine. Umm......is everything ok? Do you want me to give her a massage?“ He asked curiously.

I didn’t reply, and without a word; I went back to the car.

“Sergey, you know her home address, just..... Go. “

“Yes, sir.”

I didn’t know what was wrong with me. My behavior was so foreign, so raw. These feelings were something new, and I didn’t like it. But all I know is I have to see her. I’ve to make sure she’s ok and I’ve to make sure that will never happen again. I’ll be damned if any other asshole put a finger on her body and I’ll be fucking damned if I left that finger attached to its owner’s hand.

The house was so quiet, with no movement, no sounds, and no light there, though I knocked on the door a couple of times to make sure but still the same result.

“Sir Gabriel, we need to go.”

“Yes Sergey, just take us to the club.” I said clenching my fists.

The way to the club was silent. None of us said a word, and I appreciated it, because my thoughts were everywhere; I was like a ticking bomb right now.

We took the club’s back door, away from everyone, to the second floor where my office is. The club was full as usual, music blasting from the speakers, people dancing, drinking, and laughing. The smell of the mixture of sweat and smoke is heavy in the air.

I met Leo and started to talk about the new security system. After the attacks, we need to be extra careful now. My family must be safe.

After a couple of hours, I headed out to watch the scene outside my office. The club DJ Twitch was cheering and two ladies were dancing erotically on the dance floor. People were whistling and clapping, enjoying the show. Even I liked what I’m seeing.

Their body movement was so captivating I couldn’t avert my eyes, like I was in a trance.

“Oh, the boss is here enjoying himself.” Leo came out of the office followed by Theo and, as usual, taunting me.

“I’m just checking the new security.”

“Yeah, yeah and if I may say, it looks damn fine to me.” my idiot second in command said smirking.

“Sir Gabriel? Isn’t this the little kid?“ Theo said whispering in my ears.

I looked again, and I’ll be damned. That was really her. Ariel, the one who was dancing and grinding? what are the odds. Of all places, she’s here in my club.

The song ended, and the girls headed to the bar. From here, I didn’t know what they were having, but the bartender was suspicious. His expressions didn’t sit well with me. There was this secret look between him and another guy a couple of feet away.

The girls ran to the dance floor again when a new song began and started to dance. The moment Ariel’s started to move seductively, I was a goner; she stirred something deep inside; I noticed how other men were striping her with their eyes, and that thought only made my blood boil. I gritted my teeth and kept watching and again, that guy who was communicating suspiciously with the bartender approached her.

Ariel’s movement began to be clumsy. She kept walking backward and shaking her head. At that exact moment, that asshole put his hands around her and pulled her against his body. She struggled and pushed him away, but he didn’t budge and I saw red.

I took big angry strides towards them, in seconds I was there and snatched her, looking in her eyes it was obvious that she was drunk but then she said she didn’t drink, so she was drugged?! And that made me even angrier with myself before anyone else.

Just by touching her and holding her close against my body, a switch in my mind flipped. My body was consumed by primitive desires, possessiveness, dominance, and owning.

I felt like I need to have her, own her, dominate her, protect her and cherish her. She is mine, no one else’s. It’s a weird thing because I forgot these types of feelings ten years ago. It’s like the beast within me demanded to claim her as mine.

I left everything to Theo and took her home; she stirred the moment she hit my bed and her eyes fluttered open.

“Hello there, sexy gangster.” She did nothing but purred, getting comfortable on her stomach.

I ignored her and headed to my walk-in closet to change my clothes.

“Hey, don’t ignore me. I’m talking to you.“ She slurred, stumbling after me.

I sighed, “You are so annoying right now.” I said taking off my jacket.

“I’m not, you are. You didn’t talk to me, didn’t let me eat you, and now teasing me. Because you look delicious.“ She huffed then licked her lips, staring at my now naked torso.

“And you are high, look go sleep that shit off.”

“You’re coming too, right?” Her small body was pressed against mine, her blue dilated eyes looking intently into mine.

“I don’t sleep.” I pushed her aside and entered my bathroom, doing my business, wearing my sweatpants and a plain white shirt. I opened the door to find her on my bed wearing a grey shirt of mine.

“Come here.“ She scooted over and tapped the space next to her, urging me to get closer.

“I said I don’t sleep.” I don’t know why her actions don’t make me angry; it amuses me even though I’m not a patient guy, especially with women.

“Please c’mon, I don’t have Mr. Teddy here and you look big and fluffy enough to be cuddled.” She whined adorably and, without warning, a small smile graced my face.

I made my way to bed and laid next to her; she smiled softly and snuggled closer. Again, my body betrayed me and I found my arm wrapped around her protectively.

“Much better.“ She sighed snaking her arm, hugging me, and closed her eyes contently.

I noticed my necklace around her wrist, not neck, and that irritated me.

“Why are you wearing that here, not around your neck? You don’t like it?“ I asked angrily.

“Oh no I love it, but my friend said it’s going to ruin my look and distract people to notice other things or something like that, so I put it here. Besides, I wanted to hide the bruise.” She said sleepily without opening her eyes.

Her answer made me smile and frown at the same time; I need to deal with that asshole first thing in the morning. I caressed her wrist softly and unclipped the necklace and put it around her neck tenderly.

“Don’t ever take it off again, that’s the only place for it..............” I said caressing her neck softly. “It will keep you safe and keep people away from you. Because they will know who you belong to.” I said in a harsh tone, possessiveness dripping with each word. I didn’t even understand why I said that, but I knew these words somehow felt right and made me content inside, even more, when I heard her answer.

“Since I got it, I never did. I really love it, it makes me remember you and feel you close, Mr. handsome gangster. It makes me feel safe and protected.” She smiled softly and pushed her face into the crook of my neck and snort softly.

I chuckled. She looked very adorable doing that.

A knock brought me back to reality, followed by the ugly voice of Leo.

“Gab, wake up. It’s ten in the morning. I’m making breakfast.”

I didn’t reply my attention was on the pouting girl beside me.

“I said wake up goddammit, you.........” The door suddenly opened, revealing a pouting Leo who stopped mid-sentence when he saw us on the bed.

“What the hell?!“ He tilted his head to the side. “Who the fuck is she? Now you are bringing women home without telling me?” He glared at me when I didn’t reply and crossed his arms above his chest.

“Gabriel, I’m fuckin talking to you, you ass.”

I groaned loudly and tried to rise but of course, I couldn’t Ariel’s grip tightened around my neck and brought all her body above me.

“Shut up, you’re too loud. What’s wrong with you, woman? It’s not a school day, just shut up.”

Ariel growled, and I couldn’t help the smirk on my face when I saw the look on Leo’s face. His eyes were wide, mouth open, gawking at her.

“What...what did you just call me? I’m not a woman last time I checked, and that was ten minutes ago, FYI.“ He sassed, putting his hands on his hips.

“Dammit Rose, just leave me the hell alone. I’m comfy right now, don’t want to get up, Go.” She shouted, and all of the sudden a pillow hit Leo’s face who was dumbfounded. I couldn’t help the chuckle that rumbled in my chest, which got even louder when Leo’s jaw hit the floor; it’s been a long time since I laughed like that.

Ariel slowly raised her head from the crook of my neck, looked at me, then tilted her head to the side with a cute frown. I grinned. Her frown deepened. One of her hands that were around my neck came tentatively and poked my left cheek. Her eyes widened when she understood the situation she is in. Her hugging me tightly basically above me on my bed, but still didn’t move. It was like she still can’t believe what she was seeing.

“Ahem.” Leo cleared his throat, crossing his arms, irritated, and cocked his left eyebrow.

“OH MY GOD. WHAT THE hell.” The poor girl screamed and fell to the ground with a thud. Her legs were up in the air, showing her little thong.

Again, I laughed so hard that my eyes watered and noticed the amused look on Leo’s face.

“Ewwww, girl, sit straight and hide your tacos. I didn’t have my breakfast yet, I don’t want to lose my appetite.”

Ariel jumped again above me and tried to hide in the corner under me. Leo smirked at that.

“Okay, lover boy, Theo is down and he wants to talk with you. Saying it’s urgent. We’ll be down in your office. Hey, miss grumpy, breakfast will be ready in ten.“ With that, he left.

Like a frightened kitten, she looked at the door and sighed in relief. I eyed her expression carefully when her eyes met mine and noticed the blush that started to taint her cheeks.

“Ok, use the bathroom over there and take a shower. You’re free to use any of my clothes when you are ready to go to the second floor. We will be in the kitchen.” I said while I headed to my closet and took some fresh and clean clothes and went to the other bathroom in my apartment, leaving her with that cute frown on her face.

I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face all the way there.