Gypsy - Book 3 of The Academy Kids Series

Mchottie Mission

Amanda



A few days after my aborted date with Isaiah, the guys told me it was time. I still didn't know what this whole thing was about, but I knew it was serious. The guys weren't just normal teenagers obviously. I figured enough out to know I shouldn't ask questions. They likely couldn't tell me much since I was on the outside. At least that's what all the books and shows implied. I already planned out my outfit for this excursion, a white skirt and top with silver beading and tiny bells sewn on to the skirt. I slid on a myriad of silver bangles, my feet chains and grabbed up a sheer silver scarf I could attach across my face if the guys felt I needed to.

Dad and Johnny went fishing, so I got out of the house without any questions about my outfit. After grabbing a jacket out of the foyer closet, I headed out the door. The boys came to pick me up in a little sedan and I slid into the back with Wes.

"Hey Wes." I kissed his cheek, then leaned forward to kiss Isaiah and Micah's cheeks. "So, do I get to know anything?" I asked, my curiosity overwhelming.

"Sorry, Gypsy. The less you know the better." Isaiah twisted around in the front seat.

I nodded, leaning against Wes shoulder. The short drive to the office building was quiet. I didn't really know what to say and they guys couldn't talk about whatever Wes would be doing. When we pulled into the parking, Lesia was waiting, having arrived on a bike. I hopped out of the car, not waiting for the boys to open the door.

"Where's your boy?" I asked, grinning. I thought their entire group would be here.

"Scott is still recovering. And probably sulking since I wouldn't let him anywhere near this mission." She smiled fondly, then her face went serious. "Okay, Micah, Isaiah position yourselves around the lobby and keep an eye out for trouble, especially security. I don't think they'll bother us but you never know. Keep in touch with our ear buds. I'll man the door and keep an eye out for our man."

My gaze followed hers. I went still as I realized Wes was missing. "Where'd Wes go?"

"He's in already. I watched our guy head out less than five minutes ago. So now we just need to chill until it's time to deploy you."

I nodded, not entirely sure what was going on but at least I knew my part in this whole thing. I leaned against Micah while we waited.

"Wes?" Lesia asked about fifteen minutes later. "What's wrong?"

I stiffened, my body pulling away from Micah's. What was going on? Was Wes in trouble?

"Shit. yeah. okay. I'll get Amanda in the lobby, I think we got maybe ten minutes before our guy comes back. How much longer you need?"

I was about ready to throttle Lesia if she didn't tell me Wes was okay.

"Wes is fine but there's more protection than he expected. It's going to be close. You're up, Amanda. Get his attention, keep him in the lobby as long as you can."

Wait. I didn't even know what he looked like. Lesia passed a small photo over of some guy. He seemed perfectly normal, just your average, middle age office worker with a slight belly forming. I grabbed the small, wireless speaker I was going to use with my phone for the music and headed to the building. I knew the others would be around the building in various spots and I didn't actually need to interact with this guy. All I needed to do was dance. I could handle that. So why was my stomach churning?

I found a clear spot in the lobby, close enough to the doors to see when the mark came in. Some of the people rushing through eyed me warily. I'd left my jacket in the car so I'd have less to worry about. I set up, hit play and held my breath for the microsecond it took for the music to kick in. I let it flood through me, work it's way into every crevice of my being, then I moved.

I let myself get lost in the music as I watched the door for our guy, wishing I wore one of their earbuds. I still worried about Wes. As i danced, I moved closer to the doors, shimmying and twisting, using the scarf I never put on my face to draw the growing audience in. Lesia stayed in my line of sight at all times.

After several minutes, I spotted our guy, but by then the crowd blocked the doors. I scanned the lobby, nearly freezing when I spotted security heading our way. I found Lesia, hoping she could read the question in my eyes. She didn't meet my eyes though. Fear skittered through me. With a start, I snapped my gaze back to where I'd last seen our guy. He maneuvered through the crowd and I shimmied closer, flipping my scarf into his path to distract him. He glanced at me, smiling briefly. I caught his eye, held it as moved to the music thrumming through the air.

A flash of blonde caught the corner of my eye, drawing my attention. Isaiah nodded once, slowly, then turned and wove through the crowd. At the same moment, a hand clamped down on my shoulder. I stopped moving as I glanced up into the gentle face of a security guard.

"I'm sorry, miss. You're creating a hazard. I'm gonna need to you leave." The older man's voice was firm but gentle. I smiled innocently and nodded, gathering my things up to leave without a word. I didn't need to speak anyway. My part ended when Isaiah nodded.

When I made it back to the car, my breath caught in my throat at the sight of Wes leaning casually against it. I closed the small distance between us at a run, flinging myself into his arms. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close as I buried my face in his neck.

"I was so scared," I muttered. "I know you guys aren't just regular teenagers, and you probably can't tell me much. That's okay. I don't think I could handle knowing. This was too nerve wracking."

"It's okay, pretty girl. I'm fine." His hand ran down my back. I leaned into the touch. Another hand massaged my spine.

"Come on, Chickadee. Let's get you home." Micah's hand came to a stop on my shoulder, gently turning me around and guiding me into the car. The ride home passed mostly in an easy silence. I meant what I said to Wes. this one experience with them had been more than enough. I would still worry when they went on their missions, but not as much as if I actually knew, or was involved in them.

We pulled into my drive and came to a stop, Isaiah twisting in his seat. "Home sweet home, Gypsy." Glancing around, I checked that Dad's truck was still gone, then leaned over the front of the seat to kiss Isaiah. I twisted to plant one on Micah, then leaned into Wes, sitting next to me in back.

"Talk to you later, pretty girl," he murmured before pressing our lips together. Butterflies had erupted inside with the first kiss and only intensified with each one. I didn't think they'd ever stop.

"Bye, boys." I climbed out of the car, practically floating to the front door. I walked into the house as the boys pulled away, my head still in the clouds, and came face to face with Johnny.

"Tell me you didn't just kiss three different boys."