Chapter 2

The bathroom was an absolute sauna. Aliea had turned the water on as hot as she could stand. She had her head pressed against the cool tile as the water cascaded over her aching back. The water did little to ease the tight muscles that were straining to hold her together. Sighing in defeat she turned the hot water off and stepped out of the shower.

Dressed in a robe Aliea sat on her bed and saw that her sister had texted her. An attention getting message of "I'm getting laid, see you tomorrow at the arena."

Aliea laughed and typed back a simple "Stay safe."

She had stretched her arms above her head and was ready to crawl into the bed that was calling her name when there was a pounding on the door. With a groan she went and opened the door without looking, and that was a mistake.

"You left me on the sidewalk." Barrett almost bellowed into the hallway.

Aliea took a minute to appraise the situation and saw that a confrontation was inevitable and playing innocent was not going to win her any favors with this man. Blunt and truthful was how this was going to go.

"Yeah, I did." Aliea sighed as she leaned against the door jam.

"I just wanted to make sure you got home safe little girl." Barrett almost sneered as he stepped into Aliea's space.

"As you can see I did." Aliea didn't budge as she watched Barrett's body change position, moving with a quickness that he seems to lack in the ring he grabbed Aliea and slammed her against the wall by her door.

"You might want to play nice with me little girl." Barrett's hand found its way to Aliea's throat in a threatening manner. He squeezed and didn't let up until spots started showing in Aliea's eyes. She grit her teeth and brought her arms up. She hit at his inner elbow and made him drop her.

She quickly went back into her room. The door shut and locked before Barrett even realized that she was out of his grasp. He pounded on the door demanding she come out to face him again. She stood there, leaned up against the door with her head bowed.

Above her head shined a little halo of pure light that dimmed the longer it stayed.

In a room directly three floors above Aliea, AJ Styles stood in front of the mirror in nothing but a towel wrapped low on his hips. His attention focused on his eyes in the mirror. The crimson hue that seemed to burn a little brighter at the thought of what happened at the arena earlier. AJ had never liked Barrett just something about the guy seemed off, but he really did not like the idea of him near Aliea.

"I shouldn't be thinking that way. I was asked to keep an eye on her, it's not like she's mine." He spoke to the reflection, but even that stared back at him in disbelief.

A shake of his head and the eyes that told more of his soul than his body were gone.

AJ went about his night time routine as he knew the morning would be hectic. With a short huff he dropped unceremoniously onto the bed. His thoughts went back to the way Aliea did not shy away from him. Most people do and it had become worst in the last few years.

Laying back on his bed AJ had a small smile to himself, he couldn't believe he'd been asked to watch over her.

A tidal wave of barely concealed panic hit him as he layed there. His breath became shallow as it felt as if his throat was being constricted. As sudden as it had hit the sensation of being choked was gone.

AJ was up and if somewhat decent clothes in a matter of seconds, he grabbed the room key at the last second before he was out of the door. The only thought going through his head was Aliea.

He found himself in the elevator and on her floor while his rage was simmering below the surface. The bell rung signaling that he was on his desired floor. As he was getting of Barrett was getting on and glared at AJ. He watched AJ go while he shook out his arm.

AJ walked a few doors down to the door that he felt that hid Aliea from the rest of the world. Placing his hand on the door, AJ felt the panic through the door. Hearing the bell for the elevator as the doors closing AJ glared at it, knowing the man that had just left caused this panic.

With a flash crimson eyes showed a promise of blood.

A/N: This is something that I don't usually right it's a slow burn vs the normal smutty oneshot so let me know what you think please.