Two days have gone by since I last heard of Aiden. I would like to think that he was busy but after the fifteen missed calls and twenty-something messages the past forty-eight hours, I've come to realise that he ignores me.

Two days ago-Monday-I saw him walk down the hallway towards Xav's office. He basically sprinted into the room when I called his name. I also saw him coming out of Xavier's office yesterday-Tuesday-late at night. I didn't call out though, my older brother's were all around him.

So I've been playing his game since today morning. I've been ignoring him too.

And so far, it's been going good.

He wasn't here this morning and he wasn't here when I came back from school with Summer.

School. Another thing I've been dreading. I've been avoiding Jason at all costs.

I'm not in for another panic attack.

"Avery! I told you to get the buns out of the oven!" Summer shouts as she runs into the kitchen, her red hair tied neatly up in a bun and a red aproon wrapped around her waist.

"And I told you that I don't know what an oven is!" I mock her and scoop another spoonful of chocolate pudding up, before putting it in my mouth.

"You and I both know that you know what an oven is, you're just useless in the kitchen." She states matter of factly, making me roll my eyes.

Cooking is not my forte but eating on the other hand, well that's another story.

"Did you just call me useless?" I raise an accusing eyebrow, to which she rolls her eyes at.

"Yes I did. Now go set the table up."

"I already did." I point to the dining room.

"Good, then stop eating chocolate pudding because the guys will be here soon and we'll eat dinner!"

I roll my eyes and continue eating.

Since, Mrs.Claire is on vacation, Hunter has been the chef in the house. Mainly because he's the only one who knows how to cook. And Summer took his place in the kitchen today since he's been busy with the mafia or something.

That's another thing. I'll talk to my brothers about joining. I know they won't like the idea, Aiden either, if he still cares about me that is, but I'm eighteen, I can make my own choices.

"Hello." A low voice says in my ear making me jump in surprise.

"Tristan! Stop creeping up on me like that!" I punch his chest making him frown.

"Shut up, brat and get in dining room, you've been daydreaming." He rolls his eyes and I follow him inside.

My eyes scan the dining room, noticing the only empty chair, being between Zach and Aiden.

Sighing I take a seat. He doesn't spare me a glance but I don't miss the way his muscles tenses and how the vain on his neck almost pops out from under the ink.

He's dressed in his usual attire. A suit. His hair is gelled back and I notice the black chain he's wearing, disappearing underneath the dark blue dress shirt.

"I need to go to target later, can I get your car?" I ask Xav.

"Yours isn't working again?" He raises an eyebrow and I nod. I keep my eyes fixed on my brother, although I want to turn to my side as I can feel Aiden's eyes on me.

"Yeah."

Xavier sighs and opens his mouth to say something but a voice I've come to miss beats him to it.

"I can take you." Aiden states. I don't look at him. I know once I do, I'll get lost in his eyes.

"Thanks, but I'll get Xav's" I decline politely, avoiding eyecontact with him, as I reach for the salad bowl,but if course being me, I can't reach it.

Aiden hands me the bowl and I take a deep intake of air. "I insist I need to get some things myself." He should find better excuses. I know for a fact that his driver gets him everything most of the time.

"Man, are you out of condoms again?" Tristan teases. I tense and Aiden rolls his eyes.

"Did you forget that he doesn't sleep around anymore? I think he's found the one." Hunter smirks, nudging Tristan as they both eye Aiden.

I smile internally.

At least I know he isn't cheating on me.

"I haven't."

Ouch.

I don't let my expression fall, instead I stuff my mouth with food.

It's the only thing that can get me through.

"Aves! Can you get chocolate cake on the way? From Marie's?" Ashton asks, luckily changing the subject.

I tense.

"No!" Summer shouts, making everyone look at her."Buy ice cream instead." She mumbles looking down at her plate.

"Okay, but why not cake?" Ashton asks. I roll my eyes, tuning everyone out. I've got bigger problems to think about than what we're having for dessert.

I'm going to ride to target with Aiden. Aiden, who's been avoiding me. Aiden, who's suggested he's taking me to target. Will he try to talk to me, to tell me why he's been avoiding me, so we two can make up and be like we were again?

I've missed him, although it's been two days. The kisses, the calls, the messages, the late night visits in my room.

.....

Neither of us talked while in target. We weren't even in the same aisle at the same time, Aiden went to get ice cream and I went to get razors and wax tapes. He was the one suggesting he took me, but he still ignored me when I tried making conversation with him.

When I told him to get the chocolate ice cream, he just nodded and walked past me towards the cash register, although I didn't miss the death glare he sent the cashier who smiled at me. He also insisted he paid, which I guess is a good sign.

Maybe he's trying to show me that he's sorry and wants to make up with me again.

When we got out of the store, Aiden basically ignored me and walked towards his car. He didn't open the door, like he always used to and right now, we're both sitting in awkward silence in Target's parking lot, gazing out the window.

"I'm sorry." The silent apology leaving his lips was just loud enough for me to hear. God I've missed his voice. Somehow it sounds different when he's around me, than when others are around, more gentle.

"What?" My head snaps in his direction.

"I'm sorry." He repeats again. "For shouting at you," he adds. "And for being a dick the past couple of days."

I stay quiet.

"Say something." He whispers. I can feel his eyes on me, but I just look out the window. I'll probably break down if I look into his eyes right now.

"Why?" I decide to ask.

"I was..." He takes a deep breath. "I was scared." He finally says.

My head snaps in his direction. I'm surprised but at the same time I'm not. It's obvious that he has fears, everyone does, but it's different hearing such words from a man that appears fearless to the world.

He seems almost ashamed for being scared, for letting his guard down and showing vulnerability to others than himself. Even if the 'others' are just me.

"I get it, you almost died." I assure him.

He shakes his head, meeting my eyes.

"You don't get it. I wasn't scared of dying. I've come to accept the fact that I might die at a young age, its what might happen when you're doing what I'm doing." He looks down before looking back up at me. My heart clench at his words. I don't know what I'd do if I lost him.

"I was scared of something happening to you. When I told you to stay in the bedroom I told you for your own safety, but you just had to do the opposite of what I told you and risked your life for me."

"But I didn't risk my life. I'm here now." I mumble, not quite catching what he's trying to say.

He sighs and looks out the window. "You risk your life just by being with me." He whispers.

It takes a moment to realise what he's trying to say.

I begin to shake my head, before the words leave his mouth.

"We can't be together."

I garb his face and turn him around to look at me. "Your not the one to decide that." I state and he lifts an eyeborw. "I'm in this relationship too you know." He teases even tho I catch the seriousness behind his words. He knows that he's making a choice that's mine. I ignore the flutter in my stomach I get by him saying that we're in a relationship and talk.

"Yeah, but the choice of me being with you is mine."

He hesitates before talking again. "I don't want to be with you." He doesn't look me in the eyes when he says that. My hand drops from his face. I'll be honest, his words hurt me. A lot. But I know he doesn't mean that.

"You don't mean that." I swallow hard.

"Yes I do." He whispers softly.

I shake my head and look at him with a soft smile.

"No you don't. You want to be with me. I know you want to. You're just afraid of me getting hurt, that's why your telling me this now. If you didn't want to be with me you wouldn't do all this you've done for us to be together and you wouldn't just come up with this after two bulldogs attacked you." We both laugh a little.
"And there's no way that I'm letting you leave me just because of a fear." I speak confidently, the complete opposite of what I'm feeling.

I mean those words, it's just that tiny piece inside me that tells me that he might be telling the truth;that he doesn't want to be with me.

"You know you're putting yourself in danger when you're with me, right?"

"I'm not stupid, Aiden. You're in the mafia, I know that it's dangerous, you and y brothers all made sure I know that. But me putting myself in danger is my choice to make, not yours or anyone else's."

His eyes soften. I've convinced him. I mentally cheer.

"It's your choice. If you're staying with me now, there's no going back. You're not leaving me." He smiles. I don't even have to think about my answer.

"You know I won't want to leave you. Ever."

He grabs my face in his hands and smashes his lips on mine. God, I've missed this. "I missed you, baby." He mumbles against my lips. My heart flutters at the new nickname. "It's been a day, " I giggle back, bitting his button lip. He pulls away a little to look at me. His eyes swirling with an emotion I can't quiet make out.

"Doesn't matter, I still missed you."

His lips are back on mine in an instant, allowing me entrance and our tongues fight against each other for dominance.

He takes control of the kiss, his tongue massaging mine for a while before he pulls away, only to move to my neck.

He starts nibbling and sucking on the tender flesh, while soft moans escape my lips but I lift his head up before he leaves his mark on me.

"We should get back. The ice cream will melt." I smile, my forehead against his.

"We should." He agrees, kissing my forehead and starting the car again.

He keeps his hand on my tigh all the way back home, tracing patterns with his tattooed thumb.

The car comes to a stop but we stay inside.

"Princess?" I hum in response.

"When are we telling them? I want to be able to do things with you, in public, without being scared of getting caught."

I look at him and sigh. "Aiden, you know how they are. I don't want this-" I gesture between us, "-to stop. I'd rather doing this in secret than not being able to be with you at all. Just a little longer." I whisper.

"Fine, just a little longer." He pecks my lips and we both get out.

......

"Zach, where's the guys?" I ask standing in the doorway of the game room where all of my younger brothers are at, focused on the huge TV screen in front of them.

"Xav's study." He answers, not taking his eyes off his screen.

Summer left after dinner, which was a few hours ago, because her mother told her to spend the week at her grandma's house, which after much conviction she agreed to, which left me alone in a house with seven males and too much testosterone for me to handle.

I knock on Xavier's office door and walk inside after hearing a muffled 'come in'.

All four heads snap in my direction.

"Hey, principessa, what's wrong?" He asks. I ignore the green eyes with brown golden pecks and take a seat next to Tristan on theeather couch.

"I wanted to talk to you aboit something."

"Tell us." Hunter says.

"Uh um, I want to train."

"Yeah, you can get a member ship on the gym if you want, but it's kind of unnecessary since we aleardy have one in the house?" He says but it comes out as a question. I can see the confusion on his face because of the way he eyebrows are scrunched up together.

"No, you don't get it. Train as in train to be a member. Of the mafia." I mumble the last part.

I scan all their emotionless faces as all of them stare at me in silence.

"No." They all say sternly and I roll my eyes.

"Too bad it's not your choice. Oh and if you guys won't help me, I'll just ask Joey." I shrug.

"Can we at least talk about it?" Aiden asks.

"No. There's nothing to talk about. You guys said it yourlselves. I can join when I turn eighteen if I want to."I speak confidently.

They all look at each other, having some kind of silent conversation, making me frown.

Aiden gives Xav a nod.

He sighs. "Look, if you really want to, there's a masquerade ball in a few weeks." A smile takes over the frown on my face and I stand up making my way over to Xav, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck.

"Thank you!" I pull away. "Now, when do I start training?" I ask excitedly.

"Look, you can see how you like it there, and if you do, you can start training. This is not an action movie Avery, nor is it one of those gang romance novels you read. You have to take this seriously." He declairs.

I nod. "I understand, now, if you excuse me, I have school tomorrow and it's already midnight." I smile, making my way to the door. "Goodnight!" I say in a sing-song voice and wave my hand as I close the door behind me, making them chuckle.

I get under the covers, just as my phone pings.

Aiden: Sleep tight. I promise to be there tomorrow.

.......

Yes I'm back! Sorry for not updating I've been so busy with school and I've missed writing soooo much. Not much Aidvry moments but there will be in the next chapter, I promise! I'll try to post this week!

Love you all!

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