A Ruse

"what do you mean Ari is in danger"

Roarke strode into her apartment along with Nessa.

Did she have to follow him around? Tessa thought as she looked at Nessa with irritation.

"I hope you made sure you were not followed" she adjusted the curtain.

"Yes, now start talking"

"Fred is back and he had made it known that he would kidnap Ari. He wants me to help him make it happen"

Roarke saw red in that instant, he moved swiftly towards her, "tell me everything" he spoke quietly but one wouldn't miss the threat that accompanied his voice along with his hard jaw.

After listening to the whole story calmly, he asked, "did he do this to you?" Roarke looked at her split lips, messy hair and the crimson neck which is slightly getting swollen around her neck.

Tessa nodded solemnly, "when I refused to help him, he knocked me around a little bit" with a teary eyed, she sniffed, Nessa handed her a napkin to clean herself up.