Partners

20.

My attention wavered throughout my lectures and I didn't take any notes. At least I managed to get my course work turned in on time. I need to thank Elyssa for that. She stayed up all night to keep me company while I worked on my life portrait thing.

Luckily for everyone this week was the last day on lessons before holidays. Thanks to criminals I was afraid of going anywhere now. Elyssa assured me that they have put 2 people on the watch for my safety, and I should just go on with my regular activities to avert any suspicion.

In the morning, Elyssa also said that she figured out how to get back the drive, but had to confirm it with Julianna and Ramirez.  I wanted her to be done with that already. All she does is worry about the drive and our safety.

I handed in my work and talked with few professors before making my way home. When I approached my door, there was great deal of sound from behind it. I slowly inserted my keys, but the door was open.

I pushed it open and saw a lot of people walking around, few computers have been set up, the windows were closed, and Elyssa was nowhere to be seen. "How did you get here?" One of the guys behind the computer asked. "I live here? And you left the door open." I said and this caught Julianna's attention, she walked towards me and scanned the room.

She sighed. "Which one of you was supposed to change the lock and actually lock it?" She yelled in to the house. Some guy approached her with apologetic smile and went towards the door.

"Ugh, newbies, always a pain in the ass." She whispered and started to move somewhere. I, not knowing what to do, followed her. "Um, what actually is going on in here?" I asked her, while trying to not bump in to someone.

Julianna ignored my question and continued to move towards my bedroom, which was hard because we had to push through people. "Hopefully after we are all set up, these extras will leave the scene." She made another remark about her coworkers, before pointing me towards Elyssa.

Elyssa checked something on a list and turned towards me. She looked surprised upon seeing me, and waved me to walk inside the room, she then closed the door and locked it.

"What's going on?" I asked for a second time hoping that I won't be ignored this time. Elyssa sighed and hugged me. "I know I have a lot to explain, I am sorry. But your apartment is the safest hide out place for the operation."

"So, your plan got approved? Are you getting the drive?"  We sat on my bed and Elyssa scratched her neck. "Well, no and yes. Ramirez thought that it was too risky and 'improved' it." Her air quotes were followed by an eye roll.

I nodded, encouraging her to go on. "I thought about just going straight up and talking to my father, in private, and telling him that you got involved in to some legal problems, so I can't... do what they wanted me to do.  Then in a week or so, when I am totally back in there I can easily get the drive." Elyssa stopped to think off another word for murdering, which just reminded me about her end of the deal with gang.

"And what was wrong with that plan? Sounds good to me." I asked while Elyssa looked more uncomfortable. I reached for her hands and gave it a light squeeze. "Hey, don't worry, whatever it is, I am sure we will get over it."

She sighed and looked at me. "I need a proof of you being involved in some kind of investigation, or arrest. Julianna said that it won't be possible to fake it because of your father's involvement in the legal matters. Main office didn't give permission to that plan."

I groaned and looked at Elyssa. "Even far away, he manages to fuck up plans." She nodded in agreement. "I thought this was the perfect way. But apparently no. Fuck legal matters."

After few minutes of silence, I asked Elyssa about the new plan. "If it was for me, we wouldn't be doing this operation but, everyone insisted on this so," Elyssa mumbled as she got up and started pacing around the room.

"The plan is for me to take you there, as a hostage, and for you to talk about the amount you can offer, and how you know someone who can get information on other gang. While I get in and steal the drive. You would need 10-minute worth of talking and then, I will be back." She stopped to see my reaction.

Talking about money and another gang, I can do that. Just talk about my father's net worth, and then about somebody in the other gang.

"You think you can do that? Julianna will tell you all about the gang, and give you head points of talking to keep you going. We will have earpiece, so if anything goes wrong, I will know." Elyssa said more to herself than me. "I mean, it is easy, just go, get the file, try not to get killed and done."

I got up and stood in front of her. "Stop panicking, I can do that. We will do this." I put my hands around her face and tried to convince her. "No need to worry beforehand, okay?"  I kept looking at her eyes as she nodded slowly.

I smiled and softly rubbed my thumb on her cheek, making her smile too. I leaned closer to her and kissed her. Her hands wrapped around my back and she pressed me closer. My hands travelled towards her arm as I sucked on her bottom lip.

Elyssa hugged me closer to herself as our lips parted. "I am scared of losing you." I rubbed her back and made her lean on to my shoulder. "It is alright, you are not going to lose me, we will be fine alright?" I said, trying to calm both of us.

Of course, this 'job' was risky and, in my opinion, really stupid. Though sitting around and waiting for another plan might take a while, and from what I heard last, the gangs wanted to go on war for territory. The faster they get behind the bars, the better.

"It is not that easy, Liv. My father could easily make you run out of topics to talk, and if he senses that something is wrong, we are all dead."  Elyssa's voice was muffled due to her leaning on to my shoulder. I was few inches higher than her.

"I can figure something out, I have some topics that can interest him." I thought about all the weird lawyers and juries that had deposited their secrets to me.

Something about me having a trustworthy face.

Sudden knock on the door, made us both jump up. "Elyssa we are starting the plan discussion, hurry up." Ramirez's voice came through the door. Elyssa sighed kissed my cheek once more before pulling away.

"Let's get the shit show started." She mumbled as we walked in to the living room which looked more like small, cluttered office. Number of people in the house decreased, but still there were 5 or 6 people positioned around the sofa while Ramirez was talking about something with Julianna.

"Ok, are we starting or what?" Elyssa's voice was loud enough to shut everyone up, I could see her Officer like behavior showing.

Ramirez nodded towards her, as she leaned on to the door frame, and I just crossed my arms around myself. I just want him to start the explanation.

"From our last intelligence data, the said gang doubled their defense around their territory.  That's why I need a person who has been involved with this mission to be the bait. I can't risk putting in a new agent, gang would get suspicious." Ramirez explained mainly to Elyssa and me. Elyssa sighed and signaled for him to go on.

Julianna put her hand on Ramirez's shoulder and moved forward to get everyone's attention. "Now, let's get to the main point."