Mission: Love (1D FF)

8.

The ride home was silent, just 7 people squished into a black range rover. It was awkward, like really awkward. It was all my fault too. After I had blown my cover to save Zayn, all the boys looked at me as if I was a stranger, which technically I was. Louis had gotten up, and smiled at me, but his smile faded when the boys all glanced towards him. Luckily, the paparazzi weren't there, so as far as the public knew, I was Eleanor Calder. To the boys, I was Jade Niemann undercover FBI agent.

We pulled up to the hotel, and shuffled out of the car. I bet people outside thought it was some sort of clown car. Then there were the fans, screaming louder than I knew was possible. I feel bad for the poor hotel guest staying here. They didn't need these screaming teenage girls to ruin their stay.

"Well, what do you guys wanna do?" I ask, trying to still be cheerful, once we entered the hotel.

"Why don't we go upstairs, so you can explain yourself." Zayn sneered.

I nodded, still smiling while they headed towards the elevator. Once their backs were turned to me, my face fell. I didn't like this, Zayn being my enemy. Especially when I'm trying to save him. Louis turned his head, and saw me sulking. He hung back until I caught up.

"He's just... Zayn. He doesn't mean it." Louis tried comforting me. I managed a smile, but right now stress was taking over me.

"Yeah, well just wait until he hears the truth." I stated.

A few minutes later, we were all gathered around the suite's living room. The boys were seated and I was standing before them. I felt like I was about to give a speech that I was unprepared for. I've never really had to do this before, and disappointment was my biggest weakness. I paced the width of the living room, trying to calm down.

"Will you explain it to us, please?" Niall asked. His voice was calm, surprisingly, which calmed me down a little bit.

"Right. You guys deserve an explanation," I started. "So, um, as you guys have figured out, I am not Eleanor Calder Louis's girlfriend. I am Jade Niemann, FBI investigator, undercover. I've never had to explain myself before, so please bare with me. My boss, Mr. Rhinehart, called me into his office a few weeks ago to talk about a new assignment. The assignment was to follow a certain boyband around, posing as a girlfriend to one of the boys, because they were all in grave danger. Like, life or death danger." I took a deep breath before continuing.

"Zayn, it's no secret that you have been getting into drugs. Except L.A.'s drug lord is after you. Your suppliers all work under him, and have allowed him access to private things. Now the whole band is in this life or death situation, and I-"

"Wait, wait, wait," Zayn interrupted. "They sent a girl to help us with Los Angeles drug lord?"

"I happen to be the best investigator in the bureau! Thats not the point. Yes, they sent me to help you guys. I know you still may be mad at me, and I am sorry that I technically used you guys."

"Well, I mean, at least you're not like a gold digger, lying just to use Louis money." Niall spoke up. I smiled, trying to hold back my laugh.

"So, are you guys still mad?" I asked.

They all looked at each other, before shaking their heads. I sighed in relief.

"Do you think, Zayn, that you could actually help me, instead of loathing me?"

"I don't know. If I help you, that means that when it's over, I can't get the good stuff."

"Okay, but you could die, and not of an OD, I mean like actually get shot by this drug lord!" I said.

"Why do you even care?"

"Because Zayn, it is my job to care about everyone, but if you don't want to believe me, think about your fans Zayn. Think about the image your setting up for the younger ones, and think about what would happen if you died. They would be so freaking devastated!"

It was silent for a few minutes, nobody knowing what to do or say. I looked at Zayn, and he looked everywhere but at me. The curtains were open, emitting the city lights. They casted a glow on Zayn's face, making it seem darker across his cheekbones, and lighter near his eyes. He truly looked beautiful. Finally, he looked up at me.

"Fine. I'll help you." Zayn muttered. I smiled at him, letting him know this was the right thing to do.

"I could actually use everyone's help by the way, if you guys want to help." The other boys nodded, readjusting themselves on the couch.

I walked over to the desk sitting by the window, and got the papers out.

"So, here is what the FBI has. Do you guys recognize any of these people?" I ask, spreading out five pictures of men who associate with this unknown drug lord.

"Yeah, I know these two. His name is Josh, and he is Xander." Zayn said pointing to the two pictures in the middle. 

"Josh is a 25 year old male, arrested back in 2010 for witnessing a drug deal go down. He got out a few months later, and was arrested again for drunk driving in 2011. He got bailed out by an anonymous person, and since then, has not been recorded anywhere. He was originally born in Sacramento, and moved to God knows where after his arrest in 11.

"Xander... He has no criminal record, and according to government reports, he lives in Washington. Some remote place up in the mountains. He is 30 years old, and was actually born in Russia." I finished reading the facts of a separate sheet of paper. 

My phone started buzzing on the table, and Mr. Rhinehart's name flashed across the screen. I cursed under my breath, as I held my finger up to the boys, and answered the phone.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Niemann! How could you pull a stunt like that?!" Rhinehart yelled, his voice sounding really scruffy.

"Look, I have it handled, the boys know who I am, and they have sworn not to tell anyone." I emphasized the word sworn as I looked each boy in the eye. They all nodded, agreeing. 

"What if Zayn tells his little buddies? The drug dealing buddies we are after? Huh? Then we are screwed!"

"Look, if Zayn tells, then you can kick me out of the bureau." I stated.

"You better not screw this up." Rhinehart said, before hanging up.

"I won't."