(A/N) ⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ This chapter contains situations that may be triggering to some individuals involving explosives, guns, and shootings.
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She kissed me back with a fever, seeming desperate for more as her hands tugged at my hips. I felt nothing other than an overwhelming urge to crawl out of my own skin. I pulled back and tried not to overthink it as I pulled my head back and then forward as hard as I could.
"What the fuck!" She exclaimed holding her head
I got up with less than sufficient grace as I pushed the chair backward. It hit the ground with a loud clank as my bare feet hit the cold cement as I ran out the door. I watched Aria trying to scatter to get up as I slammed the door shut and locked the deadbolt. I turned and found myself in a brightly lit white hallway. I looked down at myself and found I was in a white tee shirt and black basketball shortly that fell to just above my knee.
A loud banging behind me caused me to jump, "Harper let me the fuck out of here!"
No can do Aria.
Knowing that someone would surely be able to hear her or come to check on us caused my thoughts to focus. I carefully moved down the hallway to find a metal door to my right. I peeked inside and saw two men watching a small TV on the wall opposite the doorway. I looked around and spotted a black pistol on a crate about two paces from the closer man. I took in a deep breathe and got low as I stealthily moved in. When I was only about a foot away, I felt an overwhelming urge to sneeze. I tried to hold it in but was unsuccessful as a loud "ACHOO" rang out. The men turned to look at me and I lunged forward grabbing the pistol before taking off the safety and pointing it straight for the closer guy.
"Where is Talia?" I questioned, my voice wavering
He gave me a bewildered look, "She just stepped outside."
I waved the gun for them to follow me "Let's go."
They kept their hands up as I led them down the hall to the room where Aria was trapped.
"Undo the lock and step inside. Aria is not to escape." I directed
They undid the lock causing Aria to fling the door open, her eyes wide as she spotted me pointing a gun at her.
"Everyone inside now." I stated coldly
There was a fire in her eyes, her nose scrunching as she clenched her teeth. The men did as instructed before closing the door. I leaned forward and locked it before turning around and heading further down the hallway. I spotted a door that was propped open and cautiously snuck out, the squeaking of the door giving away my cover.
Talia turned to see me didn't even flinch a single muscle seeming rather unsurprised by the intrusion. She put a lit cigarette between her lips and took a deep drag. She then extended it out to me without a word as the silver smoke escaped from her lips and disappeared into the night sky. We were in a heavily wooded area, no other buildings in sight. I kept my one hand firmly on the gun and accepted her offer with the other because god knows I needed it.
I put it between my lips and took in a deep drag as she had previously done. I felt the smoke fill my lungs, the action setting my nerves at ease even though the nicotine had yet to reach my brain receptors.
"So you're making the great escape huh? Are you really that mad at Parker? Last I knew you two were madly in love." Talia commentated as I passed her back the cigarette
I shrugged as I exhaled, the beginnings of a tingling sensation spreading through me.
"Are you gonna try and stop me if I am?" I questioned as she took in another drag
She shrugged and smirked "Are you?"
"No I've actually got everyone locked in that room you so kindly tied me up in. I'm thinking more so ambush when she gets here so she can see how truly pissed I am." I replied, smiling to myself at the idea of her face when she arrives
Talia gave me a curious look, "Did she cheat on you or something?"
"She lied to me." I replied as she passed the cigarette back to me
I took in a drag as she replied, "So you guys broke up?"
"Something like that." I nodded as I let myself enjoy the sensation of mild numbness hit me
I passed it back to her, my fingers warm from the small butt it had burned down to.
She took in another drag and then dropped it to the ground, putting it out with her white bike shoe before looking at me "I'm sorry I didn't help you when Sam had you."
A moment of understanding passed between us at the gravity of the statement. A chill ran down my spine, the gravel digging into the bottoms of my feet that I shuffled awkwardly.
"Why didn't you?" I asked looking up at her
She but her lip and shook her head "I was undercover and had been for a long time. I couldn't blow my cover just before my chance to finally put an end to it all."
"But you didn't put an end to it all." I stated
She looked at me, a million emotions seemingly held behind her gaze "You're right, I failed."
"Me too." I shrugged
She gave me a confused look, "What did you fail?"
"Literally everything." I stated feeling my heart constrict in my chest "I feel like I've failed at everything."
"Things sure are a lot more complicated than when we first met aren't they?" She asked, a small smile playing on her lips
God she's beautiful.
I remember now why I was so infatuated with her back then.
"Yeah they sure are." I nodded
She smirked, her eyes lighting up "What if we simplify things and really do pull off a great escape? Let's go off on the road together and get away from this madness."
The idea was intriguing but there were so many variables to consider. Pissed, done, and whatever else I may be with Parker, I'm still in love with her. Running away would potentially mean never seeing her again but it would also mean freedom. It would mean escaping this life and putting it behind me but... my mom, Colton, and Luna. I can't leave them behind again, not again.
"I can't Talia but I would be happy to join forces and be friends." I said smiling weakly over at her
She smiled brightly "I'd like that."
"Then let's get you a gun because something tells me you're gonna need it when Parker gets here." I stated as I nodded for her to follow me inside
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Shared Interest
Romance📚 Book 2 in Conflict of Interest Series 📚 *** Now that Harper and Parker are thought to be dead they must keep their true identities a secret while navigating how to live normal life's in American Suburbia. With Aurora still on the loose and looki...
