26

"So you and the princess?" Koz said as he sat back on the picnic table after hearing Happy talk.

Happy nodded his head.

"Shit man, you fucking get the best looking women."

Happy smirked, "Like your bed is ever empty."

"True, but I'm glad you found someone you want for more then one night."

Happy looked at Koz, judging if he was telling the truth or lying, he was being truthfully.

"So if you fuck with her, I'll hurt you." Happy said as he stood up and looked at his friend.

Koz sighed, "Fine ruin my fun, asshole."

Happy shook his head and went back to work, glad he didn't have to kill Koz, he wouldn't have enjoyed it.

"Juice you can't drive my car." Ava said as they loaded the Maserati's trunk with all the groceries.

"Oh come on!" Juice whined.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you're liable to crash it."

"So just buy a new one." Juice said as he pouted.

Ava snorted at his comment.

"You have a shit ton of money, not like you couldn't afford a new car, or a fleet of cars for that matter. Hell you could buy a country of people to worship you. " Juice said.

"Just because I have money doesn't mean I'm gonna piss it away on cars that you crash, asshole." Ava snapped.

Her whole life everyone had treated her like a spoiled rich girl and now Juice was doing the same thing and it pissed Ava off royally. Growing up Ava would have given up all her money for a true friend or a real family, but all she had was maids, servants, nannies and parents who would rather host parties on their yacht then see their daughter's gymnastic competition. Her inheritance was a sore subject for Ava.

Juice put the last bag in the trunk and Ava snapped again, "Get in."

Juice realized that he had said something he shouldn't have. He was always doing that, saying things without thinking. He didn't mean to hurt Ava's feelings, it had just slipped out.

Ava stopped her car in front of the front door and popped the trunk and got out. Juice got out silently and started helping her with the many bags of groceries. After hauling them all in and putting them on the counter, Juice turned to Ava, knowing he had to apologize to her.

"Ava..." Juice started.

Ava cut him off by throwing her car keys at him.

"Take it. I need to cook." She said, her tone leaving no room for 'chit-chat'.

"I'm sorry." Juice mumbled as he walked out of the kitchen slowly, knowing he had hurt Ava without even meaning too.

Juice pulled the Maserati up to the office at Teller-Morrow and got out, careful not to slam the door. He hadn't even been able to enjoy the drive, he had felt so guilty.

Happy saw Juice driving the car and frowned, Ava didn't let anyone drive that car except for him, it was her favorite car. Juice had an expression on his face like he had just killed a small child, would would have crushed Juice, he wasn't a stone cold killer.

"She let you drive that?" Happy asked as he walked toward Juice.

Juice just nodded his head.

"What?" Happy said, getting that there was something going on.

"I-I think I made her cry." Juice said as he hung his head slightly.

"You what?" Happy demanded, suddenly stalking toward the younger man.

Juice snapped his head up when he noticed Happy's suddenly change in demeanor and began backing up. He knew that Happy could kill him without batting an eyelash and not even feel bad about it, so he tried to get as far away from him as he could.

"It was an accident!" Juice threw out as his legs hit the picnic table and he fell back against it, giving Happy a perfect platform to kill him on.

"What did you say?" Happy hissed, his voice beyond scary now.

"Um...I said s-something about her h-having a l-lot of money and b-being able to b-buy a country o-or anyone she w-wanted." Juice said stuttering slightly.

Happy slammed his fist down inches from Juice's head, "Fucking idiot!" he snarled.

Happy knew that Ava had always been treated like a 'poor little rich girl' and had never really had a family or any friends, so people saying she could 'buy' her friends or family was a very sore subject for her and if she was upset, he was upset. Happy had decided after the first night he spent with Ava in her home, that he would never let her be hurt in any way, shape or form, ever, and if he did, then he would have failed her and Happy didn't fail, ever.

"You better pray to every god you know that she forgives you." Happy growled.

Juice nodded his head and swallowed hard.

"If she doesn't, then I'll end you, brother or not." Happy hissed. Happy grabbed the keys out of Juice's hand and pocketed them.
"You aren't driving this anymore. Take the Rover home." he said as he tossed his keys at Juice's chest.

Happy stormed away leaving Juice to collect himself. He knew if he stayed around Juice, he was going to hit him and as much as he loved his brother, keeping Ava safe was a higher priority right now.