6| Human Barbie Doll

♱Recommended song: Hope You Do By Chris Brown♱

"You're so fucking annoying," I gritted standing across from Noa, who was leaning against the front of her black shiny desk.

Noa raised a brow, "And you're on thin fucking ice–what point are we making?" she reiterated, easily earning an eye roll from me.

I narrowed my eyes when Noa suddenly stood from her leaned-back position with a look of irritation coating her face.

"Drop the attitude before I drop it for you," she said, raising a challenging brow as she towered over me.

I stayed silent for a moment, narrowing my eyes to keep up my poker face, but internally I was questioning if I really should drop it.

They say to pick and choose your battles.

And I'm not sure this battle would even be worth it.

"She called me a whore," I suddenly said, deciding that a topic change was best.

Noa's lips twitched up into a smirk, allowing her dark eyes to trace my face as she said, "Are you not?"

I felt my entire body grow hot against my own wishes, realizing the manner that she meant it in—and the way her voice dipped down to a lowered tone while her dark eyes held mine completely.

I pushed the sudden arousal away—God, I seriously hate her.

"Noa, I'm being serious."

"I am too."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Just keep her on a leash next time or you'll have a funeral to plan—and we all know no one like's to plan those."

Noa smirked, cocking her head to the side as she said, "You're fucking crazy."

It didn't sound condescending or insulting.

Instead, it sounded like a compliment—like admiration or something.

I hated how easily it made my stomach twist and my heart speed up in my chest.

As I pushed the annoying reaction away, I turned around, about to leave the conversation at that—but when thoughts of a sleepless night flashed through my head, I knew I needed to strike some sort of deal with Noa.

"What is it?" Noa asked, realizing I had more to say when I turned back around.

I smiled tightly at her, feeling like the deal I was about to propose would definitely inflate her already large ego.

"I actually needed to talk to you about something else," I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

Noa's eyes inevitably darted down to my cleavage on display, tightening her jaw as she forced her eyes back up to mine, "I can have the jet ready for you in thirty," she said.

I furrowed my brows, was she assuming I wanted to leave?

Wait, could I leave?

Yeah... Vincent definitely wouldn't let me get past packing my bags.

I shook my head a few times, "No that's not what this is about."

Noa gave me a narrowed look, allowing her eyes to analyze my face completely as she tried to read whatever was going on in my head, "What is it about then?" she carefully asked.

I felt my stomach jolt at even the idea of uttering my thoughts aloud.

Thoughts that had been on my mind since last night.

Noa's lips twitched up into a smirk, clearly noticing my flushed cheeks that I physically felt get warmer by the second.

"Oh I see," Noa said, which easily made my brows knit together.

Am I really that readable?

Noa tsked, shaking her head as she gave me a look of disapproval—which easily made me feel embarrassed for even insinuating it.

But somehow that embarrassment... made me feel completely turned on?

Jesus, I don't know what's wrong with me.

Noa took a step away from me, walking to the other side of her desk as she said, "I'm honored, but the answer is no."

I scoffed defensively, feeling all of my desperate feelings spiral into something standoffish.

"I didn't even say anything," I pointed out, allowing my voice to rise in irritation.

"You didn't have to," Noa said, giving me a knowing look.

I felt my ears burn, I actually couldn't believe she was rejecting me right now.

And even though I was growing more irritated as the seconds passed, I couldn't stop myself from blurting out, "Why not?"

It was a decent question, but it sounded entirely desperate.

So desperate that I internally cringed.

Noa shrugged nonchalantly, "You're Vince's little sister—I mean, I shouldn't have even touched you last night," she said, and suddenly her rejection made sense.

Vincent was not only her secondhand man, but he was also her closest friend.

Which meant that getting involved with me would be entirely messy.

But it didn't have to be—we could keep the situation... our situation away from the public.

I narrowed my eyes at her, "So you're telling me you regret it?" I asked, feeling entirely determined.

Noa let out a rough sigh, shaking her head as she said, "Lunden, no means no—let it go."

I took a step toward her desk that she was standing by, "No, answer the question first," I demanded, and even by my subtle dominance, I could see Noa's jaw tighten.

The room grew eerily quiet as Noa stared at me with nothing but irritation, probably tired of me going against her word.

But finally, after a few silent moments, she said, "It was a mistake."

I smirked to myself, determining that she was trying to get around the question that seemed to be hard for her to answer.

"Stop looking at me like that—I already told you no, Lunden," Noa said, her voice still remaining calm, but somehow in the coldest manner possible.

I rolled my eyes, easily making her face harden, "Fine," I said, deciding that if I pushed her further then I would sound even more desperate.

Noa nodded once, "Glad you could listen for once."

I smiled tightly, "Yep, I'll just find someone else to fuck me then," I said, hoping at this point to push her to the level of irritation that I was currently on. It was only fair.

Noa narrowed her eyes, "Knock yourself out," she said, but I could easily hear the subtle reluctance behind her tone.

I nodded to myself, "Oh yeah, I will—all over the estate even," I said, hoping to push her further. "I've always wanted to fuck someone in the garden," I added, and out of everything I expected Noa to do it was not...

Smirk?

"Again, knock yourself out," she said, and this time there wasn't a hint of reluctance in her tone. "Just make sure to think of me so you can actually finish," she added, easily making my face harden in irritation.

If there's anyone I despise most on this earth it's Noa fucking Vitali.

And I absolutely hate that she holds the stupid upper hand.

"Yeah? Well, have fun fucking your human Barbie doll," I retorted, feeling my anger practically boil within me.

Karma is not a bitch.

I am.

Noa chuckled, easily making my jaw tighten, "Oh, I will—don't worry."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Fuck you," I gritted, turning on my heel as I navigated to the door.

"Can't," Noa called out as I opened her office door.

Feeling completely angered, I purposefully slammed the door behind me, but the childish actions only caused Noa's laughter to echo from inside her office, clearly amused with my antics.

I swear I'm going to make her pay.

I don't know how yet, but I will.

"Damn girl, I've never seen someone look so pissed."

Automatically, my eyes darted to the source of the voice, meeting a pair of emerald eyes.

Who is she?

The brunette smiled slightly, "Sorry that was really fucking rude of me—I'm Arya," she introduced herself.

I couldn't help but smile at how she talked or even the way she seemed to carry herself.

The people here were always so serious, which made her entire demeanor refreshing.

Maybe I'd finally make a friend here that wasn't Vincent.

"Lunden," I introduced myself, walking toward her.

Arya's smile grew, "I just got brought in because of the stupid war about to break loose," she informed me, shaking her head to herself.

I rolled my eyes, "Girl me too—and get this, I was in fucking Milan," I said, still irritated over the matter. 

Arya's lips parted, "No fucking way," she said in disbelief.

I pursed my lips as I nodded, "Yep," I said, shaking my head to myself before I said, "So are you new to the Saints?" I asked, recalling that I had never seen her before.

Arya nodded, "Yeah, they took me in off the streets a few months ago," she said, lowering her voice slightly, "Honestly I would've done anything for just a job—but for them to give me shelter, clothes, food, and a high allowance—I just feel so grateful."

I smiled slightly, suddenly Noa was at the very back of my head. "I'm glad they found you—you seem like someone who deserves it."

Arya's smile grew, "Yeah, and surprisingly enough, I'm pretty good at fighting," she said, easily making my brows raise in a playful manner.

"Oh really? Let's head to the studio and see what you got then," I said, knowing that a good fight was exactly what I needed to get my frustration out.

Arya raised a brow, "Okay... but I don't want to hear it when you can't make it to the event tonight."

I furrowed my brows, event?

But soon it clicked—or the date at least.

It's the end of September, which means it's time for the Saints usual end-of-the-month meeting.

Except the meeting is disguised in the form of an event.

"I'm pretty sure that's going to be you," I said as we began walking toward the nearest fighting studio.