Morphine - Sequel to Adrenaline

Chapter 8

Present Day

Jason

Mark was catching me up on everything that had happened the past year. He'd been handling things beautifully while I was gone. It was lovely to be back in my office, seated in my own chair and not worrying about having to wake up early for drills or passing tests. Mark kept glancing at my pin. It was rare for someone of my rank to just be out, but I didn't know how to handle a whole lot in my rank. I signed off on a few reports, handing them to Mark to mail out in today's post. Last night had been spent in catching up with Claudia, and this morning she'd been on my mind the moment I'd left the hotel. I had missed her so much, but now everything was complete. Well, if I was being honest, there was still a small void.

Mark dropped another report on me. We'd had one IIA agent come through, but he was apprehended and shipped back. Three years ago having heard that, would have saddened me, but now it was just part of this life. My agents had searched the hotel, but had found nothing the agent had left behind. I had to wonder why a lone agent would be here. The IIA didn't have many dealings down here. Although... they did have an ambassador in Puerto Vallarta. My phone vibrated with a message from Claudia. She was missing me already. Distance really did make the heart grow fonder.

"So, when are you and Claudia going to make it official?" Mark asked.

"I think we're fine as we are." I said.

"You're just using her."

"I am not." I retorted.

Claudia and I had agreed not to label it. We had fun, but we weren't in love. Well, I could speak for myself, only.

"Claudia's your rebound?"

"A three year rebound?"

"Why not? I know you're still dwelling on Alyssa. She isn't coming back, ever, you need to let her go." He reminded.

"It was really hard in the beginning, but that's over."

"Don't drag Claudia into this. If you really do care about her, make it official, if not drop her. She's falling in love with you Jason. God knows why, she's too good for you."

I raised both brows at that.

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"She's too good for you. You ruined Alyssa. You shouldn't be with Claudia"

I felt my blood begin to simmer at that.

"I can be with whoever I want! Alyssa is in the past and I'm done paying for that. I'm not gonna suffer over her anymore and if I want to be with Claudia then I will and nothing can stop me." I snapped.

"Good, you've finally reached a decision." He smiled.

I chuckled releasing little chunks of anger. "That's a ballsy move there, pissing me off that way." I told him.

"Well, it helped didn't it?"

"I guess I could make it official.

I sent her a quick message to meet me for dinner tonight. If I didn't do it tonight, I certainly never would. Mark took his leave, letting me to sit with my work.Still on my desk was the report regarding the IIA agent they had captured. It was a young man from the International Operations rank, a mere nineteen years old. He'd come in with luggage and stayed in room 1313. He spent the night there, and in the morning during checkout he'd been apprehended by Night Hounds, who took him to a facility for interrogation.