The Claim
1181 Words
RoughCoin's jaw tightened as he processed her lie.
"Amira," she had said, but her nervous stutter betrayed her.
His dark eyes narrowed, and a flicker of pain crossed his features before it hardened again into anger.
"Is that your name?" RoughCoin's voice was low, and dangerous.
It wasn’t like a question, it was more like a challenge.
Ava froze.
The weight of RoughCoin's gaze became suffocating immediately. And a deep sense of regret bubbled inside her. She knew lying was futile, but her self-preservation overrode every logic.
It is just self defense, she told herself. God will forgive me.
"Y..yes,". She managed and said, though her voice wavered.
RoughCoin's lips curled into a cold smirk.
"Don’t you think 'Amira' sounds a little too close to… Ava? Ava McKenna.".
Ava's heart slammed against her ribs as she heard him mention her name. She whipped her head towards him almost immediately, meeting his unrelenting gaze. With her breath caught, the air thickened instantly around them.
How did he know my name? Ava thought.
Panic surged, with irrational thoughts creeping into her mind. Could it be he could read her thoughts? Was he some kind of supernatural being?
"H..how did you know that?". She stammered and managed to ask, taking a shaky step back.
His laugh that followed Ava's question was low and very dark, sending shivers down Ava's spine. It wasn’t a laugh of amusement but one of control..of knowing he had the upper hand.
"You are so cute when you are surprised, my Love," RoughCoin drawled. "You should know that I will research about you."
His tone was soft, but his words hit like a whip.
"I know everything about you..everything. And I think you should also know something about me."
His gaze locked onto hers as he spoke, with the weight of his words making Ava's knees weak.
"I hate lies. I actually punish liars. Severely."
Ava's throat dried up as she listened to RoughCoin speak, horrifying scenarios flooding her mind. The fear she thought couldn’t deepen now twisted into terror.
"But you…" His voice dropped to a whisper, laced with something more intimate. "You are special to me, Ava. Your punishment would be… different."
"I.. I am sorry," Ava choked out, tears brimming in her eyes.
Her vision blurred, and her trembling body betrayed her attempt to stay composed.
RoughCoin's smirk faltered.
His heart that was a fortress of ice, cracked immediately at the sight of Ava's tears. He had never cared about anyone’s pain before. And had never allowed himself to. But seeing this woman cry was unbearable to him.
He didn’t know what to do. And for a man like RoughCoin Shakur, that was infuriating.
Without thinking twice, RoughCoin reached out and pulled Ava into his arms.
The suddenness of the gesture shocked Ava, and her body stiff and unyielding against his. One arm circled her waist while the other cradled her head, his hand gently stroking her hair.
"Shh,". He murmured, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
"It’s okay, my Love. Don’t cry. I’m here for you now. And I'm never gonna let anything hurt you."
For Ava, the gesture was very far from soothing her. The embrace only heightened her fear. And her mind screamed, Trapped!
Trapped with a monster! She pushed slightly against his chest, with her fists useless against the wall of muscle.
"Let me go,". She sobbed, her voice breaking.
He reluctantly released her, stepping back with his hands raised in surrender. His dark brows knitted together as he took in her tear streaked face.
"I didn’t mean to scare you,". He said softly.
"I.. I just want to go home,". Ava whispered amidst sobs, with her voice cracking.
"Fine," RoughCoin agreed, his tone unreadable. "But I am taking you home. No arguments."
Ava wanted to protest, to scream that she would rather walk into the jaws of a wild beast than let him drive her home. But she was already exhausted by everything that had happened that night. And her resolve had crumbled.
She let him lead her to his sleek black car, opening the passenger door for her with a surprising care.
At first, Ava hesitated before the opened car. But RoughCoin sighed, and urged her to get in.
"Get in, my Love. I won’t hurt you."
Reluctantly, Ava climbed in, keeping her eyes on her lap only. RoughCoin leaned over to buckle her seatbelt, and Ava flinched at his closeness.
He paused for a moment, and with his hand he brushed her hair carefully.
"Relax,". He murmured. "I told you, I would never hurt you."
The drive was silent, tension crackling between them. Ava stared at her trembling hands, while RoughCoin glanced at her periodically. With a flicker of concern softening his sharp features.
When they finally pulled up to her house, Ava didn’t realize they had arrived until RoughCoin spoke up.
"We’re here, my Love."
Ava's head snapped up, and relief flooded her at the sight of her home. But then panic replaced the relief immediately.
How did he know where I live? Ava thought, and turned to look at RoughCoin.
Before Ava could question RoughCoin, she spotted Liam already waiting at her doorstep.
Another surge of relief rushed through her, and she bolted from the car without thinking twice.
But RoughCoin was faster. He had his hand closed around Ava's wrist, yanking her back.
Ava stumbled, and her palms landed on RoughCoin's chest.
"Where are your manners, my Love?". RoughCoin asked, with his voice tinged with mock reproach.
Seeing that move, Liam made to take a hesitant step towards them, but RoughCoin's cold glare stopped him in his tracks.
"You didn’t say thank you,". RoughCoin continued, and said with his tone light. But his grip on Ava's wrist remained firm.
"T-thank you,". Ava stammered with a voice barely audible.
"And.. sorry,". RoughCoin added with a smirk.
"I’m s-sorry,". Ava muttered, confusion clouding her fear.
"And goodnight,". RoughCoin pressed on, leaning too closer for comfort.
"G-goodnight,". Ava whispered, hoping he would let her go after that.
But the next thing RoughCoin Shakur said froze Ava right in place.
"And you didn’t give me a goodnight kiss."
"Wh..wh.at?!". Ava whispered immediately, her eyes widened in shock.
Blood rushed to her cheeks at that moment, and she stumbled over her words. Completely unable to form a coherent response.
RoughCoin chuckled, leaning in.
"Don’t worry, my Love. I will handle it this time."
Before Ava could react to RoughCoin's move, his lips had brushed her cheek. The touch was soft, and fleeting. But it left Ava stunned.
"You can go now.". RoughCoin said, releasing her wrist. "And remember, your innocence is mine to protect. Stay away from that dude." He added, his gaze flickering towards Liam with a silent warning lingering in the air.
Ava nodded, obviously too shaken to argue. And she hurried towards the safety of her home.
RoughCoin watched her retreat into her home, with Liam following her closely behind. And he smiled.
"Ava,. You are mine ". RoughCoin said to himself, obviously unafraid of the young man trailing behind her.
- Writer
