Merry Christmas, Darling l Popov Safehouse #65

The door banged open, revealing a sulking Iva, still in her night gown. Her goal was to end every moment of this love fest between Tre and the New Whore. No happiness or love was allowed anymore, only the extreme punishment she was about to assign.

"Ashleen," she snapped, "Papa requires you. Now." Her eyes were alight with an almost fire; her straight face attempt never really hid her true feels. "Tre... I have to talk to you anyway,"

Tre pushed Ash deeper into the mattress, barely sparing Iva a glance before continuing his attack on her lips. He groaned and pulled slightly away, glancing over at Iva he kissed Ash again, briefly.

"Papa wants you." He repeated, nuzzling into the girl. He kissed her again and again, wrapping his arms around her more securely. He didn't want to let her go, but he would not go against orders.

Once more, his lips brushed against hers, and he deepened the kiss and pushed her further into the mattress. With a growl, he pushed himself upward, sitting back on his knees and gazing down at the girl. "Alright." He said softly. "Alright." he repeated. "Talk to Papa." He grinned. "Hurry back, Wings."

"Of course he does," the girl breathed irriably against his lips, not even bothering to look at the person who had so rudely interupted them. Hadn't anyone in this place heard of knocking?

"Maybe," Ash punctuated her words between kisses, "I. don't. want. to. see. him?"

With a pout that turned into a smirk, she pulled herself up slightly, resting on her elbows, her hair flying around her.

"You're getting to be as bossy as them you know that right," she teased, leaning forward to give the boy a lingering kiss before finally turning to the new arrival and giving her a once over.

She was a pretty enough girl, and part of her did give a spike of jealousy to know that she was here with Tre well she wasn't, but all of that was ruined by the petulent look on her face. It was making her look like a spoiled child who'd just been told 'no'.

"So you must be Papa's little Princess," Ash greeted slowly in an overly sweet voice. "I've heard so much about you."

Iva's petty sneer grew at the lack of separation. Ignorance would be punished; she basically owned this house, she knew, and Papa would make sure her will was carried on. She crossed her arms, holding back the slur of insults that popped into her mind.

"You must be the peasant bitch Papa brought in," she remarked placidly, shifting her weight from the casual lean to one of a sturdy on looker, "You might not be aware of this, but I don't tolerate disrespect, especially from my pet's pet. I am Ma'am to you, and will be addressed as such."

Her eyes wandered to Tre, giving him a glare indicating that this was not the only speech she was planning on.

Tre's hold on Ash tightened slightly, but he let her go, even as the kiss lingered. He leaned toward her when she pulled away, and his eyes followed her whereever she went.

"She isn't a pet, silly Inno." He said with a thousand watt smile. "She's my Wings." He took no notice of the two's tension, opting instead to place a kiss on Ash's collarbone, nibbling softly before pulling away, his eyes mischievous. He stood to stay away from her, sticking out his tongue. "Go see Papa, Ash."

He bowed to Iva, not able to wipe the dumb smile off his face. She was here! Finally!!

He grinned from one girl to the other, not even able to feel anxious, he was so giddy.

Ashleen's apparently pleasant expression froze into place at the name calling. Where they really going to stoop to such levels as dergoative names. At least princess could have been taken pleasantly.

Still, she swallowed back her string of remarks, and instead gave the girl a stiff smile.

"You may not be aware of this," she said evenly, swinging her legs around and getting of the couch, "But I don't tolerate hypocritism. You want respect, Princess, you should try giving out some."

Turning to smile at try she gave little wink and a wave, "I'll fly right back."

Walking backwards out the door, she didn't bother glancing at Popov again, not letting her gaze drift off the boy until she was forced to turn out of the room.

As soon as Ashleen stepped out the door, Iva's face fell into dismay for the person she thought was her love. The look of adoration for the American on the boy's face didn't help; He didn't look at Iva like that!

"How dare you!" she spat. Her hand grabbed the ice heart around her neck and slammed it to the ground, "After all this time! You said you wanted me, Tre! Me! Not some American! You said you didn't like American girls!"

She stomped her foot on the shattered necklace, her eyes sparkling with just as much intensity as the ice itself. "Do you know what I did for you?! Hm? I left Damian for this! And you-!"

She broke off with a growl. "You know what? Never mind. I don't need you. I don't need anyone,"

"I said nothing about wanting you." Tre said, sounding completely confused. "You're going to be my wife. Nothing changed that." He cocked his head to the side. "I was simply making it easier for you. The transition." He blinked. "I never asked you to leave him! I left just so you could stay with him! What are you talking about?!"

"I'm not made of ice Inno! You can't expect me to keep coming back after you continue to push me away, do you? I'm still half human, even with the patience of an angel!" He looked at the shattered heart on the ground. His smile had left, gone with the disappearance of Ash, his heart strings torn and frayed. "You assumed the poems were for you. You smash my engagement present. I've gotten nothing but mixed signs from you, and still you expect me to keep on as if none of it were happening?!" He laughed, the sound sarcastic. "I show you affection, you shrink away or you push me away or you remind me of your boy, you even carved. Your. Name. into my chest, and still you make me the bad guy?!" He shook his head, and stepped closer to her. "What do you want from me, Inno?" He asked softly. "Do you even have an answer?"

He looked away from her, his eyes downcast. "You never needed me, Inno." He said, softly. "You never wanted me either."

"You're not my husband!" Iva snarled, backing up away from him, "Not now! Not. Ever."

Her features shaking, Iva somehow managed to turn away from Beneparte and hold in the sob in her throat. "I don't want anything for you," she growled, "I'm not the wrong person here, you are."

It was at this moment that she decided to leave. Not just the room, but the house. Maybe even the city.She didn't need this. She needed Damia-

No. She didn't. That ship was already burnt.

As she padded out of the room, a single tear danced down her cheek. Only one. More than that would mean she was hurt.

And no one could hurt Iva Popov anymore.