I wake to the sound of a massive explosion outside, jumping out of bed and grabbing my gun. I glance at the clock as Shayne rolls out of bed as well
“Two in the morning again,” I moan. “Really?”
“Shut up, Lila. That was a bomb,” Shayne hisses, dragging me outside.
“I am perfectly aware of that fact. Do you think I’m so stupid that I don’t know a freaking’ bomb when I hear one?” I hiss, trailing off into silence as we get outside.
“Oh, shit,” he says, staring at the remains of my blazing house in denial. “That is going to be a lot of paperwork.”
“Paperwork!?” I screech. “Someone blew my house up and you’re harping on about paperwork?”
“Joke, Lila,” he mutters.
“Bad timing, Shayne.”
“That was meant for you,” he says quietly. I burst into tears and bury myself into his warm chest. I can’t take this anymore. Within moments there’s police cars, ambulances and fire trucks everywhere. Luca is going slightly crazy, my new cell phone won’t shut up and neither will Shayne’s, and I just stand here in the middle of the street sobbing like a child. Nick and Leevens pull up outside and rush towards me.
“How long’s she been crying?” Nick asks Shayne.
“About ten minutes,” he shrugs.
Nick grasps my chin, gently. “Enough Lila. It’s okay to be freaked or scared, but you can do that later. Right now you’re a secret agent and you’re going to come and help me kick ass, got it?”
I wipe my eyes. “Got it,” I say, picking up my gun from where I dropped it on the grass.
“Why the hell are you dressed at two thirty in the morning?” He asks me.
“She refused to put her pyjamas on,” Shayne mutters.
“Can we just kick some ass now please?” I sniff.
“Sure thing, kid,” Nick says. “Meet me in the car.”
“Wait up,” Shayne says, pulling me to him, for a kiss. A real kiss that makes me feel weak at the knees.
“See you later,” I tell him.
“You better,” he warns. I chuckle and get into Nick’s car.
“Let’s go,” I say, breathing deeply as we speed down the street. “Where are we going?”
“To see your charming grandfather,” he mutters.
“It’s the middle of the night,” I remind him. “They won’t open the door.”
“I have a fucking gun and I’m not afraid to use it.”
“I’d like to use mine on something other than the lock,” I snap.
As Nick parks outside my grandfather’s house I have to take deep breaths. He opens the car door and takes my hand reassuringly. I knock on the door. Twice.
“Who is it?” he calls through the door.
“It’s Lila and I brought a gun the other day so open the fucking door you bastard!” I yell.
“It’s illegal to shoot a citizens door down,” he says patiently.
“Yeah? Tell that to my MI6 ID!”
“MI6?”
“Yup. Or you can tell it to Nick’s CIA badge.”
“CIA?”
