𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 - Mitch Rapp

Chapter Eleven- Save your tears

"Ava, I think it's best if we don't do that again. If anyone were to find out we-"

"Find out what, Mitch?", Ava cut in as she proceeded to pack away the rest of her things. "That we fucked? Or that you have some unprofessional feelings for your co-worker?".

Her eyes shifted from her duffle bag to the brunet, who seemed to be pondering her words carefully. It was apparent he had nothing to say in return, so she fixated her concentration on the bag in front of her, zipping it up and throwing it over her shoulder. However, just as Ava turned on her heel in direction of the suite door, Mitch grabbed a hold of her wrist. Ava uncontrolably turned her head, to be met by the most mesmerising set of walnut eyes.

"I know for a fact i'm not the only one with those feelings", he softly spoke while gently stroking her flustered cheek. "But if either of us want to keep our jobs, then we'll agree to do the right thing and leave it behind us- You know I'm right".

Ava, for a moment, found herself unable to breathe. The conflicted look in his irises, and the soft touch of his fingertips looked like a sad oil painting from the shakespearean era. The sight alone was enough for Ava to call quits on her profession, and embrace Mitch's grasp without the fear of repercussions. All in all, she knew he was right. It would be pretty selfish of them to risk being together- at least, not until the mission was successfully completed. On the other hand, the magnetic infactuation Mitch held on her was just about enough to drive her away from the madness of the CIA. A part of her hoped it was the same for Mitch.

"Fine. But what just happened, can't happen again. I can't keep getting attached to you, Mitch. It's too much for me", Ava countered with a sigh.

"Then how about we make a deal?", Mitch suggested as he unconciously backed away from the brunette. "From this moment on, we don't make it personal. We don't allow ourselves to give into temptation. We solely focus on the case".

An uncomfortable heaviness weighed down on Ava's shoulders at the latter of Mitch's words. The fact that he was the one to suggest that they forget about their evident attraction and feelings for one another, is what killed her the most. Surely the assassin doesn't feel the same way as her if he thinks this is going to be a walk in the park? Ava didn't want to believe it, but, she also didn't want to make a fool of herself and let her guard down- just in case.

"Agreed", Ava responded with a solemn tone. "You can wait in the car now, I have to finish getting ready for the mission", she added while nonchalantly crossing her arms across her torso.

Ava watched as Mitch briefly hesitated on leaving or not. His chestnut irises studied her features, taking in the sight of the brunette. For a moment, it looked as though Mitch was going to say something, but he swiftly turned on his heel and stormed out of the room- leaving Ava alone to get ready for what could possibly be the most life-threatening mission she could ever part take in.

-

Mitch never spoke a word when Ava returned to his car thirty minutes later.

It was clear the pair left a lot of things unsaid upstairs. Perhaps it was for the best, considering what was at stake in Ava's mission tonight. The last thing the CIA needed was both of their employees making it personal, and allowing themselves to risk the objective of the case. Ava certainly wouldn't give Stan Hurley the satisfaction of dismissing her from her work duties. The engine in Mitch's car loudly roared to life, and he waisted no time in whisking them away from the hotel parking lot.

Despite the consuming moment she shared with Mitch Rapp, which she was more than elated about, Ava's mind kept flickering back to the mission that was a mere few moments away from commencing. She knew this could be the last time she would share a moment with Mitch- unpleasant or not. The thought of never being able to see him again saddened her heart immensely. However, Ava also knew that never being able to see Mitch again would be the last of her worries if she were to become a trade item for Ethan's boss. Her fractured mind couldn't fathom what kind of torture she would endure, if the latter came true. Mitch averted his eyes to the brunette, observing her slightly shiver in her seat. Something about witnessing her look so fragile, triggered a side of the assassin that he thought would be suppressed for the entirety of his life.