Hollow

Fifty Eight | Defiance

I am woken up by someone calling my name, poking my side as well. I turn on my side, pulling the comforter over my head. Seconds later, the comforter is harshly pulled off me hands pull me up and I open my eyes to slowly to see a smug Killian looking at me.

"What time is it?"

"It's around 7 PM." He replies, placing a puts a tray on my lap. "You need to eat."

"Not that I'm complaining but weren't you supposed to be in Madrid?"

"I was, but then I got a call from Alex so I decided to check on you first." I bring the spoon to my mouth, slowly savoring the soup with his eyes on me. "By the looks of it, it was a great idea."

"I'm fine."

"I'll be the judge of that."

I'm about to protest but Alex strolls in and holds out his phone. I bring the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

"I found the address!" Bryce exclaims triumphantly on the other line.

"How?"

"Well, I was able to trace the IP back to New York." He replies then I hear the furious typing then a pause. "It came from a flat just outside the city but I have to warn you, they're being careful so it could change at any given time. I can send you the address if you want or have River ch—"

"Don't involve the Feds, I'll do it myself."

"Okay but h—"

Feeling Killian's eyes on me, I quickly tell Bryce to send me the address before cutting the call and giving the phone back to Alex.

"Is everything okay?"

I nod absently, suddenly mustering the courage to finish my food.

"Alright, I'm heading home." Alex states, breaking the tension. He gets closer and envelops me in a side hug, careful not to spill my food. "Rest as much as you can. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Alex. Really."

"You can thank me by finishing that food." He replies calmly.

I watch him leave the room and grab my phone from the nightstand to text him. 'We're going to New York in the morning. Get everything ready.' I type quickly and hit send before putting my phone away.

I avert my gaze back to my boyfriend and we fall into a conversation as he tells me about his day. I don't want Killian involved in this, the less he knows, the safer he'll be but deep down, I feel terrible for doing the one thing he hates.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

New York, New York

I walk by the hotel pool and past Marcus and two other bodyguards who are watching me like a hawk. I dip my foot into the water and jump into the water, ignoring the chills that instantly envelop my body. I start to swim gracefully through the water, inhaling and diving deeper. Minutes later, I make my way out of the pool and nearly have a mini heart attack when I see Alex sitting on one of the lounge chairs.

"Didn't you say you were going to sleep?"

"It's not like I can sleep when everyone keeps blowing up my phone." He retorts calmly, handing me my towel.

"Actually, how's everything back in at work?"

"Everything's fine." He answers dismissively, taking a sip of his water. I raise a brow and he sighs. "It's been hectic; everybody's been asking for you and by everyone I mean the whole Executive floor."

"What did you tell them?"

"As far as I'm concerned, you're still on vacation."

"Poor Maddie."

"Poor Maddie? I'm the one that's going on a suicide mission with you! I don't even know how to use a gun!" He exclaims dramatically.

"That can be arranged." I tease.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Let's see what we have here. A FN FAL, a Glock 39, an HK416, an M16 rifle, a Desert Eagle Mark XIX and an AS50. Wow, I'm impressed. I grab one randomly and turn around to face everyone. It takes everything in me not to laugh at their worried expressions.

I look through my scope at my target; well in this case the target being Alex with an Apple on his head a few yards away from the makeshift ones. I pause, pulling my fingers away the trigger to calm a visibly shaking Alex.

"Breathe, princess. I'm not gonna hurt you." I chuckle.

"It's easy for you to say, you're not the one on the receiv—" *BANG*

I pull back and place the safety back on before averting my gaze to Alex who throws me a glare. Clearly, he didn't enjoy it as much as I did. "Alright, let's go over the plan again. Nigel, you'll take Vance and Speedy through the front gates, Bryce should be able to hack into the security systems to let you guys in."

He nods. "There are a few guards that we need to take out with a sniper."

I avert my gaze to Riley and she nods. "They won't know what hit 'em."

"Alex, you're going back to the hotel and stay in contact with Bryce." He nods and I shift my gaze to Cameron. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"And let you have all the fun? No way!" He says with a sly smile.

"Any last words?"

They look at each other, and when nobody speaks up, I pick up my customized MX5 from the table and we head out.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Walking inside one of the rooms inside the mansion, I feel a sharp pain in my side and look down to find blood flowing from my wound. Luckily, I recover fast and lean right as the man throws another punch that I dodge, throwing one back and hitting square in the jaw. It sends him a little off balance but he manages to find his footing.

He lunges forward and I block a few punches before landing a kick to his groin, causing him to fall on the mat in pain. I point my gun at his temple and lean down.

"Where is she?"

"I'll take you to her myself since you're asking so politely." A familiar voice replies.

The pain in my side intensifies and I lose my balance, my free hand holding my side to avoid losing more blood. "I should have known." I spit angrily, struggling to stay awake.