Entangled in Darkness

CHAPTER 15: PERSUIT OF DANGER.

"Are you sure Jade is safe to share whatever information we have?" Maverick inquired, her expression hardened, her gaze fixed on the dimly lit parking lot they'd been idling in for the past few minutes.

Maverick's words hung heavy in the air, echoing the growing sense of unease that had settled over Andrea. She and Maverick had been carefully monitoring the Velvet's Mirage from a distance, their presence concealed within the darkness of their parked car.

But for some inexplicable reason, Andrea found herself rooted to her seat, unable to bring herself to step out of the car. A wave of apprehension washed over her, a nagging fear that something was amiss, a hidden danger lurking amidst the familiar surroundings.

She trusted Jade. But amidst the growing uncertainty, Andrea couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss, a nagging doubt that threatened to unravel the foundation of her trust.

She sighed, the weight of her decision pressing down on her shoulders. Gazing down at the grainy photos once again, she couldn't help but wonder what secrets they held, what dark truths they might reveal. The blurred images seemed to dance before her eyes, taunting her with their cryptic clues.

"I trust Jade," Andrea retorted, her voice edged with annoyance at Maverick's persistent suspicions towards her friend. Her eyes fell upon Maverick, a hint of defiance in her gaze. "Why wouldn't I? Do you know something I don't?"

"No," Maverick replied, her voice quick and firm, her brows furrowed in a determined line. "It's my job to consider all possibilities, Andrea. I'm still your bodyguard, and I won't let my personal feelings cloud my judgment."

If Andrea wasn't so preoccupied with the impending situation that had befallen them, she would have found Maverick's dishevelled appearance oddly endearing. Maverick's usually sleek hair was swept messily to the side, and the baseball cap she'd worn earlier dangled between her fingers, a stark contrast to her usual composed demeanour.

It took a moment for it to click for Andrea.

Personal feelings.

Andrea sensed this heavy feeling settling in her chest, like an emotional weight-dropping anchor within her.

"What personal feelings are we talking about?" Andrea asked her voice barely a whisper, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.

Maverick's eyes met hers, a hint of surprise flickering across her usually composed features. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, her voice a low, gruff whisper that sent shivers down Andrea's spine.

"The kiss," she said. "You think I've forgotten about it?"

Andrea's breath caught in her throat, her cheeks flushing with a fiery heat. Every ounce of willpower she'd gathered to push away the lingering memory of their kiss crumbled like sandcastles in the tide.

The kiss.

The moment that had shattered the boundaries between them, ignited a spark of longing that Andrea had tried desperately to extinguish. The memory of Maverick's lips against hers, the warmth of her touch, the way her heart had pounded in sync with her own, all came flooding back with a force that left her breathless.

Andrea began, her voice shaking with a mixture of indignation and confusion "No—",

Maverick cut her off with an impatient wave of her hand.

"—Look, this is a sticky mess to be in, and right now, it's not a good time to discuss it," Maverick said, her voice laced with a hint of exasperation. She shushed Andrea by continuing. "And before you protest—You kissed me, and then you go to ignoring my existence—wait, shit. Look, isn't that Victoria?"