Caught In The Mission

Sixteen

"What do you mean the trades are linked to HQ?" I asked taking a step towards Zoe leaving Alex behind me.

"I mean, HQ is dirty." She answered, running her hand through her messy curls. It was evident that this news was stressing them out.

"After finding out about Vince and Philly we didn't some research, it took time and a whole load of deep searching but we found an email that linked to an IP address inside HQ." Joe began to explain. He walked to the stairs taking a seat on the bottom one. "Whoever Vince and Jake are talking to works in HQ, that's why the phone call came from Philly. We haven't figured out who it is yet but we will."

HQ was corrupted, someone was working with Vince and Jake. Could it be the boss they were talking about in Calloway's office? I glanced over to Alex, he rubbed his hand on his chin, facing the floor with a contoured face. Was he thinking the same thing?

"How do we find..." my voice got droopy for a second, "how do we find the identity of the IP address?" I asked rubbing my forehead.

"Are you okay?" Joe asked, looking from Alex and I. Alex was stood leaning on the door trying to keep his balance as he tried to look sober. I on the other hand needed to sit down.

"Oh my gosh!" Zoe burst out. "Are you two drunk right now."

"No." Alex answered quick.
"Yes" I said at the same time. Zoe looked at us both, raising her eyebrow. "Maybe." I continued. Joe chuckled to himself shaking his head. "Give us a few minutes to sober up a bit and well talk." I said brushing my hair off my shoulders.

"Why are you drunk?" Zoe asked, she directed the question to Alex, who blinked a few times before shrugging his shoulders.

"We were bored, why not." He smiled at he before heading to the kitchen. Zoe and Joe turned their attention to me waiting for answers but I didn't elaborate. I was grateful that he didn't say were getting drunk because we found a mysterious photo of Julia's parents.

"You guys head into the front room we'll meet you there." I motioned my head to the living room. They both got up without question. I ran my hand through my hair, letting out a sigh. Someone in HQ was a rat! Could this day get any worse?

I walked into the kitchen to Alex making two cups of coffee. He hadn't put his shirt back on, he was just walking around with his muscles on full display. "Thanks for not mentioning the photo thing." I said taking a seat on one of the bar stools by the island.

He looked up for a second, then down to the mugs in front of him. "I didn't think you'd want to broadcast it." He was right. Once the drinks were poured, he handed me one mug before standing next to me, his hands wrapped around his drink. He blew at it before looking down to me, with a raised eyebrow and a small smirk on his lips.

"What?" I asked tilting my head to the side.

"Are we going to talk about what just happened?" I knew what he was on about, I knew the moment he started smirking. And frankly I didn't want to talk about it because I didn't know what that was. The only explanation that I could conjure up was the tequila. Yes. Well blame it on the many glasses of tequila I had, even though I pretty much drank from the bottle. But details.

"What? HQ?" I asked, trying to appear coy. He shook his head the corners of his mouth twitching.

"No, you know what I mean." I shrugged my shoulders hiding my not so innocent face with my mug. He let out a chuckle, "I can jog your memory if you want." His tone was both humorous but seductive. I looked up to him seeing them turning a bright blue. His eyes trailed down to my neck, where he gently pushed my hair off my shoulder. His fingers softly ran the area he kissed earlier, bringing back that sensational feeling.