"I need to talk to you." He nodded, and followed after her. They walked in silence until they reached a building, in which they proceeded to climb the stairs to the roof. Taking a seat at the edge she gazed out. "I like it up here. It's quiet. And calming." He nodded, sitting next to her. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?" She sighed. "Ah, you met Elise, I believe?" He frowned and nodded. "She irked me. There's something not right about her, Aira. Is she your friend?" She shook her head. "No, she just works with me. We're doing a case together, that's all." He nodded. "Oh." She looked back out at the bustling city. "Do you know Luca?" JC looked down. "Um, yeah. He's� just a guy I once knew." She nodded and pulled her knees up to her chest. "I'm not afraid of anything. Fearless. That's how people describe me. But� I'm afraid of him. Luca. He� he ripped my family apart." She bowed her head, causing her hair to fall across her forehead.
Without thinking, he brushed it away, and lifted her chin. "Aira� you don't have to worry about Luca. I promise." She shrugged. "I know, but I have the same nightmares just about every night. I'm walking down the alley, looking for a good fight, when a noise distracts me, and when I turn around there he is with a gun in my face, and I freeze. Too terrified to react, and he pulls the trigger. And then I wake up in a cold sweat, heart racing. And I'm sure you could care less�" He placed a finger over her lips. "Shh. No, I don't mind." She nodded, and shivered from the cool night breeze. He smiled. "We'd better get you home, before you freeze." She nodded, and stood. Pulling her close to keep her warm, the two headed for her apartment.
Unlocking the door she let the two in. Taking off her duster and throwing it on a nearby chair, she motioned for him to sit. Walking over to the fridge she pulled out a Smirnoff, and motioned to him. Nodding, she tossed it to him, and he popped the top, taking a swig. "Mm, stuff is good." She nodded and sat next to him. "Imported. I'll say it's good." After sitting in silence for a few minutes, Aira finally spoke. "Ok, so I've spilled something no one knows, what about you?" He set his drink down and looked at her. "You won't go and freak on me will ya?" She shook her head. He nodded, taking a deep breath. "Well, ya see, it's about Luca� um, guess there's no easy way to say it, but he's my�" A loud pounding at the door caused him to jump up in alert. Quickly she went to the door to see who it is, and sure enough she saw Elise with Zak and a few others. "Crap. You've gotta go. C'mon out this way." He looked at her puzzled and she frowned. "I'll tell you everything later, I promise. You just have to go. Hurry."
"AIRA! I know you're in there!!! OPEN THE DOOR NOW!" She flinched upon hearing Zak's words and knew if she didn't open the door she was in for it. Eyes practically pleading, she looked at JC and he nodded. She forced a small smile and opened the window for him. "I'll meet you on the roof at 12." He nodded, and jumped out, escaping into the darkness.
Closing the window, she grabbed a cigarette, lit it, and opened the door, pretending to look annoyed. "To what do I owe this wake up call?" Zak burst in, looking around. Aira watched as Elise walked in with a smug smile on her face. Zak came out of her bedroom looking confused. "Where is he, Aira?" She looked at him, as if he were insane. "Where's who, Zak?" Zak looked out the window upset. "The guy, Aira! The one that YOU were supposed to get?" Aira shrugged. "I don't know I haven't gotten to him yet. Ask Elise. She came over the other night telling me how much she wanted to jump the boy. Ask HER." Zak's angry eyes swiveled to Elise who looked equally surprised. "So you know where he is, then? You told me he was here!" Elise shook her head. "Whoa, now, Zak, I said no such thing. I said I saw someone come in here. I never said it was him. You jumped to conclusions, my friend. You know how Aira is, she has so many guys in here, you never can tell which is which anymore."
Aira clenched her fists, trying not to show her anger. Anger was what Elise was seeking. She would NOT let that girl win. "So, basically Elise, I'm nothing more than a whore?" Elise shrugged. "You said it not me." Aira nodded. "Well, then I can't even imagine what you are. Nor do I want to know." Zak sighed. "Enough!" Hearing his cell phone go off, he flipped it open. "Hello?" The girls watched as he listened for a few minutes before smiling in satisfaction. "Bring him back to the warehouse." Clicking the phone shut, he grinned. "Seems like our boys got him."
Four