Spies&Thieves

unbelievable

-BEX-

The “safe house” we had found wasn’t particularly new or modern— hell, it was old and dusty.

“Why has no one used this place in the last century?” Grant muttered under his breath.

“I swear, if I see a rat, I’m sleeping outside,” Macey joined in, flashlight in hand. Zach and Cam took the lead, where they felt comfortable, with Macey in the middle guarding Kat, the prince, and Hale, and Grant and I naturally held the flank.

It was relieving to finally see Cammie do something she was good at. Being active, using her mind, staying aware— she needed the distraction. She was doing a hell of a good job of it, too. There wasn’t anything she didn’t jump or turn or scrutinize that we came across as we entered the threshold of the rickety house in the small neighborhood.

“I still don’t understand why we can’t stay in some other small castle Mason owns,” Hale remarked. It echoed in the dank space.

Macey snorted, “I don’t understand how you don’t own a country house or something out here.”

“Ditto,” was his only response.

Some time later when we were all situated, found spare blankets and canned food, Cammie asked awkwardly, “So, who wants to explain what’s going on?”

Mason turned to her, locked eyes with her, I think, for the first time since the drive over here.

Hale responded, “No sleep? Damn, this world is cruel.”

“No worries, you and Macey can get your beauty sleep after we finish this interrogation,” Zach smirked slightly.

Silent until now, Mason said, “I have a question.”

Eyebrow raised, I replied, “Ask away.”

He looked nervous, unsure. “So, um, I understand that you’re all spies and work for the CIA or some other government job. I was just…I mean…have any of you killed someone before?”

The question, to me, was not offending or rude. It did not, however, have the same effect on Zach and Cammie, who glanced at each other with guilt in their eyes.

Hale, next to me, stiffened with Kat, who searched our faces. “Have you?” She wondered aloud.

I replied stoically, “I haven’t. To my knowledge, Macey hasn’t either.”

Gant piped up, “Me either.”

I watched relief flood through Hale and Kat. Unfortunately, Mason had turned his attention to Cammie.

When she didn’t speak, Mason stated incredulously, “You killed someone.”

Zach stiffened, clenched his fists. I stepped in without realizing it. “If she hadn’t picked up that gun and fired it in the two seconds it took, a knife would have been driven into my stomach and I would be dead. Quite frankly, I’ve never been happier that she committed murder. And Prince Andrews, whether you choose to realize it or not, there are very bad people on this earth. It is very good that they are very dead. Now, if someone doesn’t start asking better questions in the next two seconds, I will start getting angry.”

Mason’s face flushed a deep red.

“Mason, were you present at an auction in Australia six months ago for red diamonds?”

“Yes.”

“And you were the highest bidder.” I confirmed.

He nodded. Kat crossed her arms over her chest, “But you didn’t have all of the money to pay for it.”