Stay out of it

She followed his lead, her own heart picking up a pace as he seemed to understand what she had meant. Wanting perfect had been something she wanted before she realized how little she cared for saving moments like they were special. Truth be told, any moment she had spent with him was special. And that’s all that mattered to her. Their breaths mixed and she felt almost breathless as she looked at him. For a second she felt maybe a mix of anxiety, excitement and panic at the same time but then he repeated her words. And with that reminder, their lips met. She returned the kiss carefully as well, placing her hands on his shoulders as her heart was pounding in her chest, which was weird because she couldnt remember the last time she had felt actual excitement in a physical sense. She held her breath and it made her a little lightheaded, but she thought it was a good thing. Breaking off the kiss, she gasped for air, pressing her forehead to his. “Just a moment..” she whispered quite breathlessly in a soft plea, and she meant that because soon after she moved up to greet his lips again, feeling her stomach turn into knots.

They met in a mess of emotions and Rhys wasn't sure how to really deal with it. He almost wanted to devour her lips, taste as much of her, terrified after what had happened today that he could lose her. His chest fluttered with the most amazing feelings, making him feel a little foggy in his mind. His body reacted rather strongly, his chest almost tightening as his stomach made small flips of excitement. She broke the kiss, his lips lingering as if they searched for the connection they had lost. He was short of breath as well, but he didn't care about oxygen, only about Emily. She voiced her need for a break and his breath tried to return to normal, but that was when she pressed her lips to his once more. His hand moving from her cheek to her hair, holding her gently by the back of her skull, pulling her close as he lied back down. Returning the kiss, his lips felt busy, and yet it was still tender and sweet. Was he holding back? A bit. Perhaps it was alright to save some of the more strong emotions for another time. His other hand was grasping at her hip, his fingers digging in to the hoodie she was wearing. He wanted to confess to her. Tell her all about what he was feeling, but he didn't. No words could ever make him want to break this moment as their lips continued their tender dance.

Rhys didn't have many experiences with emotions like these and far less expressing them in such a vulnerable way. His lips were eager and yet they took it slow, exploring one another before they eventually had to breathe. Her whisper made him chuckle softly, nuzzling his nose against hers, dragging his lips over those tender swollen lips. "Because we weren't ready," that was a fair assessment, wasn't it? Besides if they had gone ahead, then this kiss they were having right now hadn't mattered as much. He gritted his teeth, his body having reacted quite strongly, so much so that it was paining him a little. Though that experience could wait, he didn't want to rush in to that. "I know we've only been on a few dates .. But I'm serious about you .. I want us to take it slow still, but I also don't want to be too slow about it."

He felt so enamored by her, like his whole body was buzzing and not feeling how hurt it actually was. As if she took up all his world when she sat this close. She asked for clarity and he sighed, removing his hand from the back of her head to press her palm against his own cheek. Closing his eyes he just relished in the intimacy of the moment, wishing that they could stay like this forever. "I'm suggesting we put a label on it; Not only to erase any doubt you might have in my intentions, but also because I can't ignore this growing feeling in my chest when I look at you," he said, opening his eyes, showing the clear vulnerability. He wanted to be with her. He wanted to take it slow still, but perhaps with the security of knowing that it was only the two of them in this relationship. "I guess what I'm trying to ask is .. Gods I don't know what the cool kids call it these days .. Will you be my girlfriend? Partner? Be in a committed relationship with me?"

He felt that disbelief and then a rush of relief. She actually liked him. She genuinely wanted to be with him. For someone who had been called a monster his whole life, to have someone actually like him back, was almost an out of body experience. Part of him afraid that he would wake up and it would all have been a cruel dream to remind him of his loneliness. The kiss had sealed the deal, but as she pressed her forehead to his he felt that closer connection once more. She had a way of taming his inner beast, making him relax and happy.
Her tender words made him hum, listening to her voice her concerns. His jaw tensed, hating the fact that she had needed to go through that, but he hummed. Opening his eyes he looked at her, caressing her hand, his other still on her hip and holding her close. "I'm not in a rush," he said, his voice soft and genuine, "we'll take it slow just how we've done up until now."

“I’m glad you say that.” She smiled, moving her hands to wrap around his neck, hugging him close for a bit. But eventually she did have to get up. She however couldnt break the connection, so she held his hand in hers, caressing it slowly. “How long will you be kept here?” She asked, mostly because he still seemed shackled by the feet. She had no idea what would happen to him or whether it would be nice, which worried her. She doubted it much after he had gotten shot in front of her just like that.

She got off of him, and he was quite happy that she kept holding his hand. It made him feel very good. The question made him hum, looking down at his feet as he was being kept here on the bed. He couldn't break those chains so easily. "They usually keep me for observation a couple of days," he admitted, breathing out in a sigh, "but I think they'll let me out when they can see I've calmed down - and even besides that I need to help run all of this." He had kept her much in the dark about what was going on here, but he guessed there wasn't really much to hide anymore.
He opted to tell her what she needed to know; That this was indeed a mafia, that illegal things occurred within their line of work and that Rhys was actually to inherit all of this. The latter had probably been good to tell her about before she agreed to a relationship, but he wouldn't be mad if she backed out now. It was a lot to take in, that was for sure, but he also wanted her to know so she could prepare herself a bit.

A couple of days? She clenched her jaw a little at the thought. Though it seemed that it wasnt so after all and she just listened. He helped run this place? She wasnt sure how that made her feel but maybe it wasnt her place to even feel anything about it. He began telling her about it and she kept holding his hand as he did. She squeezed when there were parts that worried her. But the latter surprised her. And yet it made sense. His father ran this place, so of course he would be the next in line. “He was asking questions about us. Your dad.” She said as she seemed to remember.

He knew that she worried, but there wasn't really much he could do in this situation. And with Nyx's slip up she wasn't even considered to help out, even if she had great potential. However his mind was redirected as Emily mentioned having talked to his father, breathing out as he shook his head. "Ellis Kaine," he told her, that way she could use his name, if she so pleased, "he's a tough leader but he has to be." He looked down at her hand in his, giving it a soft squeeze. Rhys was a well-known leader within this group, and that was perhaps why Jason had brought the group to his apartment - even if that was stupid. "What did you tell him?"

Ellis Kaine. She just hummed and nodded, listening as he described him. She wasnt sure she could see him as a tough leader, she more so just thought he was cold and cruel. But then again, she didnt do well with leaders of any kind. And she had no knowledge of how to run a mafia, so how could she say what was right? The question made her frown a little before she shrugged. “Just the truth; at the time.” She said. She couldnt quite say that it was like that anymore. She looked at their hands before she sighed. “Will you be like him when you take over?”

The truth at the time. That was good. The old man hated lies. However the question took him by surprise. He looked at their hands as well, his thumb gently caressing the back of hers. "I don't know what leader I'll be yet," he confessed. He hoped not to be cruel, but he also knew that the job had a heavy burden to bear. He sighed, lifting her hand to his lips, kissing it gently in a few sporadic places. "I'm sure I'll be feared .. But I also want to be respected," that was the best way to put it. His father wanted him to use that fear he gave others to submit, but he wasn't sure he could do that to his own people.

It was fair enough that he didnt know. She sighed, feeling a little silly for asking. It could be years till then, she presumed anyway. Could be that they werent even a thing when that time came around but she sort of hoped for it. “I understand.” She said, nodding a few times. He probably would have to beat up a few people to mark his position. But again, that was just her speculations. There was a knock on the door and Jason entered, limping lightly. “Hey boss. Too many people are starting to talk about the outsider.” He pointed out, hinting that it was probably time that Emily left. Or was escorted home, whichever Rhys wanted.

She said she understood, but would she when the time came? He knew it was quite the headache, but alas it was his future. Seeing Jason enter, he felt his anger blossom up. Emily had gotten hurt, and the asshole hadn't been there to protect her, "sure is brave of you to make commands when you haven't kept up your end of what I told you to do," he said, his eyes cold as he looked at the guy. Sure, he was limping, but if Rhys had gotten to him first it would've been much worse. "Nyx will take her home and keep her safe," he said, looking to Emily, hoping she wouldn't object. "If people know who you are, then they might be tempted to get to you," he said, hating that he had to do this. He dismissed Jason, telling him he would deal with him later.

Jason scoffed softly at his words. He couldnt be everywhere and sure Emily had gotten hurt, but from what Jason heard, that was maybe more Rhys’ fault and his crazy ex, if you asked the young man. He however just took in the command, though Emily frowned lightly, “Is that really necessary?” She asked but he quickly explained. She thought about it while he dealt with Jason who seemed to just accept that he was up for another whooping, leaving them alone. Emily sighed, “Okay.” She agreed, looking at him. “Will this affect my daily life now?” She asked. She had to know.

Rhys could understand that she was skeptical, but if they were going to be a couple, she had to accept that it came with a few irritating infringements on her private life. He just couldn't risk anything. "Yes," he said, there was no point in lying to her. Them dating hadn't been too crazy, but now that they were in a relationship it would be bad for her to stay at the store. "But I'm not going to decide what you can and can't do," this wasn't about control for him. It was about her safety. And if word got out - which it probably had because of Elaine - then she could be in a lot of danger. She had a target on her back. "Just know that I want to protect you; Not that you're not capable, but for my own peace of mind."

She muttered a soft fuck at his answer. But it would have been that way regardless wouldnt it? She had seen too much and been seen by too many. He said he wouldnt decide for her and she hummed. That she appreciated. But she knew nothing of this side of society. Or she knew a bit about a quite close part, but just thinking of that made shivers run down her spine in the most uncomfortable way possible. “Okay. We’ll figure it out.” She said, wanting to be optimistic, smiling faintly, though she had to admit that there was a lot on her mind now.

He felt bad for putting her in this situation, but come what may, he wanted to be sure that he had done everything within his power to keep her safe. She seemed to zone out a bit, and he gave her hand a squeeze, "hey - it's still just you and me," he reminded her softly, "and Nyx is very capable; I have a lot of faith in her." He wanted to be the one around her all the time, but it could be hard and he would have to compromise his duties. Which would only worsen things.
Lifting his hand, he touched the healthy cheek, smiling at her softly, "I'll come visit you as soon as I'm allowed, alright?" he tried to encourage her before frowning a bit, "perhaps you should take the cat - don't worry about your landlord."

"He'll have to put up with you .. Especially now that you're my girlfriend," saying it out loud made him feel giddy, smiling at her as he pulled her closer, placing a kiss against her forehead. "When I get out we'll celebrate, alright?" he whispered softly against her skin, breathing her in as she was now. It was clear he wanted her to stay, but as things were right now it wasn't within his power.

Nyx had heard the orders come through, and she felt perhaps a little relieved that Rhys still had trust in her after her screwup. She was in her room, packing a bag with just the essentials. This wasn't really something she had prepped for, so she felt nervous. As well when she considered how much Jason had gotten hurt because of her. Was it fair to say that she felt guilty?

“You’re silly. A cat will like whoever he wants. And dislike whoever. I’m fine with whatever.” She remarked. She wouldnt take the cat in just to force it to love her. So if he would only like Rhys, she would have to accept it. The kiss made her feel good. “Yeah, we will.” She assured him with a smile. She leaned away, looking at him with loving eyes before she had to let go. She didnt want to; but she had to. Bidding him farewell with a soft kiss, she left quickly before she would end up changing her mind.

Jason sat on a chair not far from her. “You be careful out there, okay? We really fucked up, so keep your head down.” He said as he got up, groaning as he was hurting but it wasnt as much that he was hurting, it was more that once Rhys got a hold of him, this would probably feel like tickles.

Nyx sucked air through her teeth, her jaw tensing a bit as she turned around to see him standing up. He was such an idiot. Making sure the door was closed she went to him, grabbing his hand as she felt at a loss for words. They didn't really speak much about what they were, and she sure wasn't ready to define it either. "You talk about being careful and yet you're so easy to stick your neck out for me," she said, looking down as she shook her head a bit. Her emotions about Jason were a bit all over the place. Some days she wanted to be with him for real and other days she wanted it to remain a secret forever. "I don't want anyone to know and you acting like this might make people think that .." she wasn't sure she could even finish that sentence. If they were found out it would be more than just a rough beating.