Page 64 of The Pursuit of Happiness

I nervous laugh, suddenly afraid of her, “Well, this has been a pleasure, but I have to get back to Aria.”

Selene scoffs, “Yeah, whatever.”

“Thanks for your help, Selene.”

“You’re welcome. Just one thing before you hang up, Sly,” Selene draws in a deep breath, “Aria’s feelings will be hurt if she finds out you spoke to Dallas behind her back. She likes to be involved in decisions, especially when they’re on her behalf. Just tell her subtly.”

I nod, “I will. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I hang up and open Dallas’ contact. I press the message button and draft a new message.

DALLAS CARTER

Me

Hi Dallas, this is Slater Nicks. I got your number from

Selene Stone. I need your help with something.

There. Done. I’ll speak to him as soon as he sees my text, most likely in the morning, and I’ll make sure that Duncan never bothers Aria again. I’m about to step inside and back to my girl when my phone starts ringing with a call from Dallas. My eyebrows practically shoot off my forehead. Does nobody sleep? I answer right away, “Hello?”

“I didn’t know Selene was in the business of giving my number out to amateur pornstars,” Dallas’ flat voice greets.

I roll my eyes, “If I didn’t need your help, I totally would say something rude, but I’m desperate.”

Dallas sighs apathetically, “What do you want?”

I resume my previous position against the railing, watchingthe steady intakes of breath that Aria takes in her sleep, “Aria’s ex is bothering her from different numbers and she keeps blocking him, but he won’t stop.”

I can practically hear his eyes rolling, “You called me forthis? I’m offended. Do you have any idea what I do?”

“You work in security. Look, I wouldn’t be asking if this wasn’t serious. He’s saying some pretty nasty things to her and it’s really bothering her. I’m just trying to protect the woman I love. I’m sure you can relate,” I try to appeal to any sense of empathy or emotion in the man, but his silence tells me that he most likely has never been in love. Or maybe he just isn’t capable of it.

“If Harvey wasn’t my friend, I wouldn’t be helping both of your girlfriends all the time,” he complains, though I don’t believe a word out of his mouth. There’s something else behind his motivations.

I take a deep breath, “But you’ll help?”

“I suppose,” his voice is disinterested.

“Thank you. Do you need any details?”

He scoffs, “Don’t insult me. I can find someone from nothing. I’ll have the ex-boyfriend sorted out by morning.”

I nod, relieved. “Thank you so much.”

“Thank me by owing me one,” he demands, but I’m not sure whatIcould ever help Dallas out with. We’re from two completely different worlds with not one single thing in common aside from our connection to Satan’s Angels.

I don’t even try to protest or ask questions, “Anything.”

I suddenly feel like I’ve made a deal with the Devil as he hangs up and the line goes dead. I don’t care what Dallas wants from me. I’d give him a kidney if he asked so long as Duncan’s access to Aria was removed.

I walk back through the balcony doors and quietly pad back over to my bed, crawling in behind her. I wrap my arm around her waist and hold her to me. My face is in the crook of herneck and I just inhale her scent. It’s intoxicating and smells like jasmine and vanilla, a scent I’m starting to identify as home.

Chapter 14

Aria

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