Page 41 of The Pursuit of Happiness (Satan’s Angels #2)

My anger stirs anew and I’m suddenly unable to stay in bed.

I need to move. I carefully remove her head from my chest and prop it up on a pillow.

I don’t move until I know she’s still soundlessly asleep and then I get up and grab my phone.

I glance at Aria over my shoulder before I walk to the balcony and step outside, the chill of the night air causing the hair to rise on my bare arms. The moonlight pours into the room, illuminating the side of Aria’s face and I watch as she rolls onto her side in her sleep, her back now to me.

I take a long breath, trying my best to force my anger at bay, but it doesn’t seem to settle.

I’m already pressing the call button on my phone before I can think better of it. There’s an answer after the fourth ring, “There better be a good reason that you’re calling me at two in the morning,” Selene answers sounding wide awake. “I’m very busy,” she complains.

I make a confused expression even though she can’t see me. “I’m alarmed that you’re wide awake right now, but also curious as to why.”

“I’m flattered you’re interested in my whereabouts, but I’m happily married, thank you.

Is there something you need or did you just call to bother me?

” She asks impatiently. I remember Aria mentioning Selene was married.

She said that Selene and her husband Dylan have been together since they were fifteen and sixteen.

They got married when Selene graduated law school and Dylan had already been a practicing accountant at the time.

I look at Aria again over my shoulder and know that what I’m about to do, I can’t tell her. At least not right now. “I need something.”

I can practically hear the smile on the other end, “I was hoping you needed something. And I assume Aria’s sleeping right now?”

Okay, not closing the door on the possibility of Selene having hidden cameras in our homes. “How did you-” I shake my head and roll my eyes at myself, “You know what? I know better than to ask questions.”

She snorts a laugh, “You’re learning so fast.”

I pause for a moment and then give in, “Okay, seriously, do you actually have cameras in our houses or was that a joke?”

“Whether or not I have cameras will never be revealed to you. Now, what do you need and why are you not telling Aria?” She asks, suddenly all business.

I lean my back against the edge of the balcony, my eyes never leaving Aria’s sleeping form. “I need Dallas Carter’s contact info.”

Selene pauses on the other end. She answers a minute later, “Why?” We all know Dallas’ reputation, especially after everything going on with the tape.

He’s not the kind of guy you call for a simple favor, but rather the kind of guy you call when you need something bordering on illegal.

The guy operates in the morally gray area that Harvey operates in, but there’s a different aura of intensity around Dallas. He’s more of the killing calm type.

“Aria is getting texts from her ex-boyfriend. He won’t stop,” I explain, my voice dark. I clutch my phone so tight it’s a miracle it doesn’t shatter into pieces.

Selene takes a deep breath before whispering, “Duncan.”

I nod even though she can’t see me. “I need him stopped. She’s been blocking him, but he texts from a new number every time.”

“I’ll send you Dallas’ info,” she agrees. I feel my phone vibrate and check the screen. Sure enough, Selene has already forwarded me Dallas’ contact.

“Thanks,” I say appreciatively.

“Is she okay?” There’s an edge to Selene’s voice. A worried edge.

I take a deep breath. “Things got a little messy earlier and there were a lot of tears and love confessions, but I think she’ll be okay.”

“Good. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”

“Thank you, Selene. Sorry to call so late,” I apologize, realizing how rude it was of me.

She laughs, “I’ll chalk your naivety up to not knowing me. I’m always awake at odd hours.”

I shake my head, “You really can’t be human.”

“Keep thinking of me that way. It’ll stop you from beating paps and making amateur porn,” she chastises.

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, watching the 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 for this ? 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 what I could 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 her neck and I just inhale her scent.

It’s intoxicating and smells like jasmine and vanilla, a scent I’m starting to identify as home.