Missing Clues

"Nicolai is not… Trying to upset you, Aaron," Ari began with difficulty. This was why she wanted to wait until she had processed and gone through this conversation in her mind a few couples of times. 

This sudden predicament had made her confused and uncomfortable for Ari felt that it was completely out of her control. She had not the slightest bit of idea what to say or where to begin. 

More importantly, how would this conversation turn out—

It was imperfect and Ari was not comfortable doing anything less than perfect. 

She clenched the thin blanket draped over her body with her fingers. Shutting her eyes close, she said to him, "It's just that Ariel was the one who kidnapped me and drove me to Samuel's mansion. He is just trying to keep me safe." 

"No!" Aaron jerked his head up with a look of disbelief. All the blood from his face slowly started to drain from his face. He looked rather distracted as Aaron shook his head.