Business Arrangement

Part 30

CHAPTER 30:

I stare at Gabriel, "We need to see the facility, I need to understand why I'm the target here, if I am even the target in the first place. Or some extensional pawn in some Godly game to which the Order may have allowed." I tell him, my eyes flicking between him, and Astrid, who stares at Gabriel's new chosen apartment.

She frowns, "What's with all the flowers? You know we're not insects, right? So insulting." She mumbles under her breath, arching a curious eyebrow in Gab's direction while he's busy making some disgusting concoction of a kale and spinach shake.

I lean against the grey and black gravelly marble counter in the kitchen, "He thinks it's funny to dish out Bee jokes and my need for nectar so the flowers compensate for that." I explain, she narrows her eyes at Gabriel, who lowers a green glass in front of me. I give him the benefit of the doubt and take a slow sip. It tastes bearable, he smiles as he watches me before Astrid astutely studies him.

"Wow, what a smitten shit you have for a flatmate." Astrid scoffs.

"Colourful, Astrid, but you still haven't told me where this Bee facility is, in case you've forgotten that I am on your side." Gab mentions, looking between us. I move around and sit by the couches with clovers hanging from the window edge. He does have more greenery in this house than necessary. I find it just a tiny bit funny, mostly annoying, his humour is rather dry though.

"Do I look idiotic to you? Being one of the elders or head leader's son's gives you the least trustworthy track record of all time, even if my sister thinks you're entertaining for now." She says to him and follows me to sit in the sun like a tense cat ageing the wrong way.

"She believes I'm far better than entertaining, and if you haven't noticed, my conversations with my father have lasted half an hour a week." He says, arching a brow my way before he pulls the glass from my lips to his.

I turn my face outside, the sun rays heat my skin. I fold my arms and lean on the back of the couch, "Think about it, Gab, if you stepped into my shoes," He cuts me off.

"Your Bee hive." He corrects.

I give him a dry look, "-my shoes, would you trust me with a top secret facility functioning under your family's company and their legacy?" I ask him, looking at him now. Astrid gives him a similar look, her arms tightly fold under her chest.

Gab points at me securely, "If you're attempting to take her to your facility, I'm going. Where she goes, I go." He insists, looking protective of me.

I have fallen for that before, so Astrid scrutinises him. The door slaps open, revealing Jackson, Cal, Chris and Tom. I pinch the bridge of my nose. I glance at Jackson and purse my lips, he rolls his eyes and tilts his head at me with an apologetic look. I arch a brow before facing the window again. Gab rubs my leg while giving Jackson a look that says 'to behave' before Astrid clicks a button on her fancy bracelet. Kaito steps inside, I grin and push off the couch. I embrace him in a familiar hug, he chuckles against me and the lion in him warms up.

"I've missed you too." He murmurs into my head.

Astrid stands up, Kaito, I thought I told you that I'd meet you at the airport?" She sighs while Kaito pats my head.

"I'd be an imbecile to stand at an airport, waiting for my girlfriend and her sister when there are enemies spreading like cockroaches all over the country. What we need to do is assess the effects of Gabriel Morton over here. Jackson Ludlow sticks to no one, his family are simply lines of contract killers, but he hasn't hurt her yet. Those three, basically collateral damage and elitists of the old way in boarding school. Nothing interesting about them. Gabriel though, Javier Morton's prized possession. Javier either approves of the youngest Bee or wants to see her dead, which doesn't seem to be the case." He offers up his thoughts on this.