Mission Impossible

Chapter 27~ Cheerleader

CLARA'S POV

  Harry took me back to my dorm and helped me clean up my lip before waiting for me to get changed into pajamas and tucking me into bed. He sat down on the edge of my bed, knowing we needed to talk about what was next.

  "You need to get out, Clara. He's too dangerous, even if he's not the one we're looking for," Harry told me, starting the conversation I was dreading having. Because I knew he wouldn't like what I had to say.

  "I know he's connected, Harry. I need to remain close to him," I insisted. Harry shook his head and looked down, but didn't say anything. It was like he felt Tanner was connected, too.

  "It's gonna take everything in me not to bash his skull in," Harry gritted his teeth, and I was taken aback as I had never heard Harry say something so violent.

  "Don't worry. As soon as we find out who the scout is, he's gonna get his," I reassured Harry, patting his hand. A small smile spread across his lips.

  "Even in times like this, you're trying to be here for me," he observed and smiled.

  "You're my partner, and more importantly, my friend," I told him.

  "And that's all I've ever be, I get it," Harry sadly spoke, a small smile still on his face as he repeated my words from our second mission together. I was at a loss for words, so instead of saying something stupid, I didn't say anything at all. Harry was about to pick the conversation back up when someone knocked on the door. We both looked at each other, not knowing who it could be. Melissa and Claire both had keys. Unless...

  "Evelyn!" Tanner called through the door. "Open up, baby," he insisted, and I almost shivered at his words. Harry gritted his teeth, but I quickly got up and pushed him towards the closet, shoving him inside and moving clothes in front of him just in case.

  "Don't come outside, no matter what happens," I whispered before closing the door slowly and rushing to the door, opening it with a small smile on my face. Tanner pushed through the door, looking around the room before turning to me.

  "I noticed you weren't at the dance, and I couldn't help but notice Charles wasn't either," he said, looking me over and then into my eyes. He was reading me. Trying to see if I was hiding something.

  "I'm not with Charles," I calmly told him. Once he decided I wasn't lying, he got mad at me for another thing.

  "You missed my speech," he told me.

  "I'm sorry, I just didn't want to show up with a bloody lip and have people ask questions," I explained, but Tanner wasn't satisfied with my answer.

  "Are you blaming me?" he said, taking a step closer to me.

  "No, of course not. It was my fault for making you mad," I told him, almost vomiting at my words. It's never the victim of abuse's fault.

  "I'm glad you understand that. Now if we're gonna make this relationship work you need to stay away from him," Tanner said, stepping closer to me and raising his hand. I wasn't scared, but acted as I was as I flinched. His hand slowly rested on my arm, rubbing it up and down. "Evie, I'm not going to hurt you," he told me, sadness in his eyes as he looked hurt I could think so badly of him. Even though I had first hand proof he was capable of doing such thing. "Not unless you deserve it," he smiled at me and I wanted to punch him. "Now, I think I deserve a kiss for what I went through today," Tanner said, leaning in. I wouldn't want to kiss him anyways, not after what he did to me, but it just felt wrong with Harry watching in the closet.

  "I-I can't," I managed to get out, even though I didn't want to make him mad.

  "Why not?" Tanner angrily asked, and I made a huge mistake as I glanced at the closet for a small second. Tanner caught it, and looked over at the white closet, leaning away from me and starting to walk towards it.