Stay out of it

He couldn't say he disagreed with her, in fact he had hated the fact that he hadn't been able to do anything yet. However he also had his addiction to struggle with, so he wasn't sure he would've been the best option in all of this. He had a lot of respect for his father, but he didn't always agree with his orders. She asked what he had noticed and he sighed, "I don't know, it's small things and perhaps just him being stressed out about everything," he shrugged. His father was much older than he looked, but perhaps old age was finally getting to the old man? "It's just .. One second he's obsessed with training up Nyx and the next he sells her out like that as if she was just any other bargaining chip .. It doesn't make sense," he admitted, and it had him stomped. He knew Nyx had a lot of potential and she was a strong girl for sure. But she had to be worth more than becoming a rival's trophy wife, right? He felt like he was getting a headache from just thinking about it.

He shrugged, not sure he could pinpoint the exact time of chance. It hadn't been as sudden as he probably felt it was, but it was noticeable now. "I don't know," but it was definitely something he was going to think about more in depth going forward. She mentioned his recovery and he smiled, kissing her forehead gently, "there's nothing wrong in venting a little .. The more you know of my worries, the easier they are to stop from spiraling," which was a fair argument if you asked him. He just held her close.
The rest of the day they just spent relaxing. He tried helping cleaning up a bit, but ended up just sitting down just keeping her company. When nighttime hit, he decided he was done with that stinking couch, joining her in her bed, pulling her close to her chest. It was about time they got a good night of rest.

She had to agree with him, it was good to know his thoughts, even if there wasnt much that they could do about it right now. She sat with him for a while, talking about whatever that came to mind until she eventually had to go clean up. It was nice that he tried to help but she also quite insisted that he'd just relax.
When the day was over, she really got to feel that she had been spending the day cleaning. She fell asleep in his arms, sleeping well for once.

While Rhys and Emily seemed to be doing better, Jason was only getting worse. He had gotten a concussion from the stone and he pretty much refused to relax. Or he did relax but he was also stressing over a million things at once. Like how was Nyx? Where was Rhys? And Emily? He had been told that she was found and they had saved her but wasnt she supposed to be around or something in the likes? He felt so confused and no one was saying anything! It was all looming whispers in the corners, gossiping and weird looks. It wasnt till he heard it in passing. Nyx had been by Emily's. He didnt even know where Emily lived, but had made it his mission to find out. Showing up at the apartment he was agitated and tired. Emily opened but he just stepped in. "Where is she?" he demanded, looking at Emily before then seeing Rhys. He looked like shit but so did Jason, most probably.

Rhys and Emily was for once having a nice and calm morning. He had managed to down a few vials and keep them down which was a huge thing considering how bad he had been just a few hours prior. The knock at the door made him frown, but Emily didn't miss a beat, going to check who it was. Not that he had to wonder for long as the loudmouthed kid waltzed in like he owned the place, making demands.
"Hi boss, how are you doing today?" he mocked him rolling his eyes as he leaned back in his seat. Jason looked like shit. It was clear as day, and yet Rhys wondered why he wasn't taking the time to get over his injuries. It wasn't like Rhys was doing any better, but he was at least almost done with his own revival to put it lightly. He took a deep breath, gesturing for him to sit as he wasn't going to say a word before Jason showed some manners. "I don't know where she's being kept," he spoke, rather truthfully at that, though he did have his suspicions.
Rhys took another sip of his coffee before he told Jason what he knew, how the peace with the Barley Brothers depended on this ridiculous agreement his father had made on her behalf. "I'm trying to dig up some dirt on this Michael fella .. But everything comes out clean," he said in frustration, looking to Emily he reached out to take her hand giving it a soft squeeze and thanking her for the breakfast. "I don't plan on her actually marrying him, but she seemed in good health from what I could see," though he hoped Emily would fill in the blanks.

The mockery just made Jason scoff. Yeah, he wasnt really on his best behaviour but he was also dealing with the downsides of not giving a concussion rest while also being pissed with all the secrecy and never knowing anything. He had to be borderline on crazy, because it was like when he looked at Rhys, he wasnt even feeling how looking at the hybrid usually made him scared. Sure, his body was shaking, but that could be mixed with anger too. No he looked at him with oddly direct eyes as he sat down.
He just frowned as Rhys made it clear that he didnt know where she were. He usually did, didnt he? He was told of the agreement and it just seemed to agitate him even more. Had Rhys agreed to this? Jason could feel his mind already begin to spiral and it wasnt a good feeling. He felt sick and dizzy. His vision went slightly blurry as he watched the interaction between Emily and Rhys but he forced himself to focus. “She told me to tell you that she was alright. I guess she knew this would happen.” Emily just said, Jason looking at her with a frown until he looked away from both, thinking in silence. “Fuck the Barleys. Fuck that cocksucker Michael Barley. I dont give two shits that he’s a Barley.” Jason said, before he got up. Emily noticed that he was quite wobbly on his feet. “Jason?” She said as she noticed that the poor boy looked worse for wear. Moving over she just pushed him to sit back down and it was relatively easy. “Is he hurt?” She asked before she looked at Rhys with a frown.

Rhys sighed, the outburst not surprising him, but he was happy that Emily seemed to be of sound mind in all of this. He noticed the wobble too, and he got up, moving over to look at Jason's eyes. "You haven't been resting," he said, checking his reaction time by moving his finger from one side of his face to the other. "Concussion .. Fucking hell Jason," he muttered shaking his head as he had to move over and sit down again before his legs started to hurt once more. He took a deep breath, looking at the guy with a disappointed look, though he couldn't really fault him if he had been going crazy about Nyx.
"I'll make you a deal .. I'll find her location if you take the time to rest and get better," he said in a serious manner. This was him speaking as part boss, part someone who cared for the guy. He looked to Emily with a sad expression, "I'm sorry for turning your place in to a sick ward," he said before looking to Jason. He needed rest, so he could get the stinking couch, that would be punishment enough he thought. The order he made was that Jason needed rest before any of them could figure out anything about Nyx.

As the day passed and both guys got better, Nyx was busy basically just camping out in the apartment. Michael wasn't too bad unless he had been drinking. Not that she took any shit from him, and mostly she managed to avoid any of his advances and getting him to bed to sleep it off. She was sitting with her phone, looking at a picture that she had of the gang back home. Of course this was her home now, but she couldn't ever come to see it as that. On the picture there was Rhys and right behind him were Jason and her. She could remember that day a little too clearly; It was the first day that her and Jason had held hands. Okay a bit tame for a wild person like her, but it had been sweet and not really planned out.
The handholding had turned to a kiss that had escalated to minor make out sessions. Not that they did anything further, but Nyx had started to think about it. Of course the old man Ellis Kaine was old fashioned, wanting her to stay a virgin. Old creep. She hated him right now. And she was afraid that maybe the others had forgotten about her. She wondered how Jason was doing, having heard through the grapevine that he had gotten a head injury. Hating herself for not being there.
It was around midday when there was a knock on the door, frowning she looked to Michael who didn't seem like he had expected company either. Michael was a big guy, not fat, but a little husky, but he had the muscle too. Opening the door he filled out most of the frame, looking down to see none other than Rhys Kaine he was surprised and maybe a bit taken aback. "Michael," he greeted him coldly, pushing past him and in to the apartment with Jason following in his tail. A slight whistle came from his lips as he looked around the place. It was fancy. Nyx stood up, a bit surprised at the visit, standing still as she wasn't sure what reaction was appropriate. Her eyes moved from Rhys to Jason. Rhys chuckled softly, turning to Michael, "you kids can go talk outside," he said to Jason and Nyx and normally she would've objected but she nodded.
Gesturing for Jason to follow, she took him outside on the roof terrace where a small herb garden had been planted. Nyx liked plants a lot, said they brought her joy, so it wasn't too weird that while she had been trapped here she had gotten into this. "Don't worry .. There's no camera's out here," she said, sitting down in front of some herbs, picking a few that she showed to Jason, letting him smell them if he wanted to.

Nyx watched Jason break the statue, giggling to herself because he seemed like himself despite it all. Still clumsy and .. well him? His question made her shrug, it wasn't like she was a fan of this idea either. "I don't know," she confessed, wrapping her arms a little protective around herself. It was just hard to imagine a life like this. Michael wasn't too bad, but she didn't really care for him either. In fact some nights she hoped he had just passed out at a bar or something so she wouldn't have to deal with him. "I'm lucky he's old fashioned," she scoffed. No sex before marriage, or well she was sure she often smelled stripper's perfume on him when he did come home. As long as he wasn't touching her, that was fine.
"Let me show you the greenhouse," she said, nodding for him to follow. The garden was nice for a talk, but the greenhouse had matted windows you couldn't see through. Opening the door, inside was quite an array of different more delicate plans as well as a few vegetables. The tomatoes seemed to be growing just nicely, but she hadn't wanted to show him this place. She took his hand, pulling him a little closer, "don't be weird, please," she muttered, lifting a hand to cup his face. Taking in his features she pulled him in for a tender kiss. Fuck the Barleys, she thought, she needed to feel Jason up close. "Just kiss me," she muttered, moving backwards towards a small work table she used for repotting plants. She sat herself up on it, pulling him to stand between her legs, her dress riding up her thighs, but it was just the two of them.

As he finally gave in and returned the kisses she felt very happy. She knew she had missed him, but it felt like it had been ages. He broke the kiss, her eyes watching his cheeks and how pretty he looked with them so red like that. His sigh made her scoff, "as if they could punish me more than this," she muttered, though soon enough she got to feel his lips again. Returning it she felt like she was getting more eager, carefully licking his lips, testing the waters of what they could do together. It was a crush, a stupid young crush, but gods she couldn't help herself. She cared about him too much.
Eventually she had to break it off, hearing voices outside she placed a hand against his mouth, hushing him if he tried speaking. Even if there were no cameras, there were still guards walking around now and again. She held her breath, waiting for the steps to move away before letting go of his mouth. Her cheeks were pink, looking a little flustered and perhaps hot and bothered. "Come by tonight," she whispered, nuzzling her nose to his, "he's going out for drinks .. come stay and hang out with me." It was risky and stupid, but they were that to begin with so was this so much different?

There probably was worse, he was sure. He however gave in, which he always did, even if he said that they had to be careful, or watch out, or maybe not do it here. He would never deny her because he really liked her. They ended up making out, it was quite nice. Emily couldnt say anything because he wasnt really straining himself now, in fact this was actually better than he had felt in the last few weeks.
She broke off the kiss and he was panting lightly, feeling her cover his mouth, he frowned a little. He did hum but quieted down once she hushed him. When she let go, he looked confused. But then he realized the guards and nodded. Her whisper was tempting. He looked down, taking her hand to hold in his. “Shit.. I dont want to say no.” He said with a goofy happy smile and he wasnt going to. If he came over, he would still have his friend and crush. It was a win-win in his eyes. Wasnt it? He frowned as he thought about it. If they were caught, she would get hurt. If she was sent back then he wouldnt dare think of her punishment. If she was sent back… what the fuck were they doing? He quickly moved away from her and left the greenhouse to head inside, hopefully interferring whatever Rhys and Michael was doing. “Boss. We need to talk.” He said, knowing that his manners were shit. But it was urgent.

He took her hand and she smiled as he smiled, already looking forward to spending more time with him. They had a lot to make up for, hadn't they? She looked at his face as he seemed to think it through, and leaving her a bit abruptly she just looked down before something out the corner of her eye made her frown. Huh, the tomatoes grew fast, didn't they? She got off the table, dusting herself off to make her more presentable. She wasn't trying to get Jason into any more trouble than he already was.
Once she felt like her body had calmed down, she went out from the greenhouse, taking her time returning inside even if this spring wasn't as warm as she had hoped for. Entering the apartment she headed to the kitchen to grab something to drink, noticing how Rhys, Jason and Michael were now in the same room. This couldn't end well, could it?

Rhys seemed to play the role of concerned older brother really well, asking about how she was and telling Michael of his expectations. However just as Michael was about to say something, Jason came busting in, talking out of line and the hybrid sighed, leaning back in his seat as he pinched his nose, trying not to let the anger get the best of him. "You'll have to excuse my associate, he recently sustained a head injury and we fear he might have permanent brain damage," he said, looking from Michael to Jason before getting up. He grabbed Jason by the arm, pulling him to a side as Michael got up to fetch himself a drink, meeting with Nyx in the kitchen.
"You better have a good reason for this, or I will make sure that it's not only brain damage you suffer from," he hissed under his breath, looking to him with cautious eyes. He knew Michael could be back any second, and if he wanted to talk more it would have to wait until later. "I've just score you the role of best man .. Which means you can come by and help her plan the wedding whenever you want to," but perhaps the guy was too daft to even understand a hint like that. It would mean Jason would be able to snoop around, find stuff that could incriminate Michael before the actual wedding would take place.

"Change the plans?" that was a bold claim for a guy who was very much under Rhys' orders to make. In fact it made him a little shocked to hear. Had something finally snapped within that tiny pea brain of his? He looked over his shoulder towards the kitchen, hearing Nyx stalling and giving them a bit more time. "Jason I can't just change the plans now I've finally gotten the deal .. I'll look untrustworthy, and I need his trust to be able to get closer to him," he said, shaking his head no. This was something he couldn't change, and yet he was curious. What had changed to make Jason seemingly drop everything? "Is it because she's not safe here? What did she tell you?" The older brother in him kicking in as he could feel his anger rise.

She was safe here? No, Rhys refused to believe that. She might be safe right now, but he wouldn't have her here much longer. Jason seemed almost irrational and unrecognizable to him, taking a deep breath, "I can't believe you just said that," he said, shaking his head in disapproval, taking a step back to stop himself from hitting him. Emily would have his head served on a platter if she found out he would've been the one to hit Jason and thereby straining himself. "Is this what she herself wants?" he asked, looking towards the kitchen. Jason knew Nyx better than anyone these days, and Rhys wasn't quite sure how to tackle that. "No, she belongs with us .. We're her family," that was final.

Rhys frowned shaking his head a little because was he blind to what his father was scheming? Was this merely a test for how far he could go? He took a deep breath, humming to himself, "I still want you to come around here .. Check up on her .. If not for her sake then for mine," he said more serious, trying to level with him here, "besides, if this truly is the less evil option I don't want her to feel like we're neglecting her." The last thing he would want for Nyx was for her to feel alone and isolated from those she cared for.

Nyx came out from the kitchen, holding a glass of water in her hand, Michael following, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in. "As you can see, Kaine, she's adjusting just fine," Michael said, smirking as he looked down at Nyx who positively looked uncomfortable, but just nodded looking down. "Are you really going to be my best man?" she asked, looking from Jason to Rhys, hoping that the answer would be yes. If so she would smile, perhaps not from how Michael was seemingly claiming her, but knowing that meant Jason could stop by.
Biting her lower lip she turned, standing in Michael's arm as she looked up at the guy who was basically towering over her. "Would it be alright if he came by tonight? You're going out, so it would be a good time to look for inspiration for dresses?" she said, sounding almost innocent. She would play this role she had been dealt, but they couldn't expect her to ever care for a Barley. Michael hummed, looking down at Nyx. Sure, he didn't think she was the prettiest girl in the world, but she had a nice body and she was easy on the eyes. "Sure," he said, turning his head to inspect Jason carefully, but he seemed either too ignorant or too stupid to figure out what was going on anyways.

Jason wouldnt claim to know Rhys' father better than Rhys knew him. But this also had an odd feeling to it and he could all too well get creative with the outcomes of this arrangement going down the drain. He felt reluctant as Rhys still seemed to want him around. The hybrid did know that he was dealing with an idiot right? At least that's what Jason would've argued with if it hadnt been that Michael and Nyx soon after joined them. He didnt like to see Michael's arm around her, and he decided to focus on her instead. He sighed and eyed Rhys before he nodded and sent her a small smile. "Of course." The beating he would have gotten for saying no wasnt even something he'd consider.
Her question made him frown a little. It really didnt seem like a good idea in his mind, but what could he do? As Michael looked at him, he just shrugged, not really giving the impression of someone that was hyped to come by. Which he wasnt if he was just going to fuck things up for her.

Nyx's face seemed to light up as Michael agreed to let Jason come by later, and it seemed as if seeing her happy actually affected the Barley brother positively as well. "We should get going," Rhys said, sending Nyx an apologetic smile, but at least he would have Jason come by later. And he had better do a good job at checking in on her. She at least didn't look too bad, in fact he would've said that her and Michael suited one another, but he felt that was way too creepy to come from him, so he bid them farewell and headed for the door.
Once outside, he walked down the street for a while before punching a large trash bin, putting a large dent in to it and making his knuckles bleed. He sighed, drying off the blood in to his pants before stuffing it in the pocket of his jacket. "I'm going to have to talk to my father about this arrangement," he just said taking a deep breath as he calmed himself. "Even if this bought us peace, I don't think it's going to last .. And she wouldn't be able to get out and help us as she would be bound to that smug asshole," he sighed. Sure they looked good together on paper, but as soon as the gangs started to meet and feud then she would be forced to pick a side she wouldn't want to pick.