AN ILLICIT LOVE

CHAPTER 3

It was finally the day I would be robbing Stark tower and the nerves were getting to me. I have never done a job this huge, but I couldn't back out now. I already gave my word. I looked up at the famous Stark Tower all lit up in the owner's glory. "I don't know about this, guys." "Are you backing out on us now, Red?" J asked as he handed me a nice black and silver, sleeveless dress, sparkly silver heels, and a clutch that matched my dress. " No, but what do I need this for?" "How do you think you're going to get in? It's his daughter's 18th birthday, so the whole plan is for you to go in, mingle, excuse yourself to the 'ladies room', take the necklace, the code is in your bag, and then leave early for a 'family emergency'. You got it?" I nodded and headed inside, after I finished changing.

About half an hour at the party and mingling amongst the richest and popular people in Midtown Manhattan, I headed up to the bartender to hand off an empty glass I had in my hand, then I went to find the 'ladies room'. As I rounded a corner, I bumped into the birthday girl herself. "Sorry about that, but may I ask what you're doing in this part of the tower?" "Sorry, I was just looking for a bathroom. It seems like I got lost." "Uh huh, well, I'll show you to one myself. Follow me." She seemed sweet and the only reason Jake and Kaitlin wanted me to hurt this girl was for the publicity and money, but I couldn't do it. "Thank you. Can I ask you something?" "Sure." As the two of us walked to a bathroom, I was having to ask a few things. "You're the birthday girl right?" She nodded and smiled. "Well, how do you feel about all of this? I mean, I would love to have all the attention on me like this." We were now passing through the main floor. "I like it, but sometimes it can be too much. I mean, I do appreciate all the effort my dad puts into it, but it gets crazy sometimes. Anyway, here you go. If you need anything else, just ask for Hailey." "Thank you, Hailey." "You're welcome, ummm." "Piper." Smiling, Hailey shook my hand and left me alone.

Once I was done, I went to tell Hailey by and leave, but I couldn't find her. I headed for the door and someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around to see Hailey Stark standing behind me. "Oh, Hailey." "You leaving so soon, Piper?" I looked down and back up at her. "Yeah, sorry. I had a family emergency." I left and met back up with Kaitlin and Jacob. "So, what happened in there?" I rubbed the back of my neck and looked at Kaitlin. "The birthday girl caught me. We talked and she seems like a nice girl, J." He threw his arms in the air and turned around. "Well, then how about you just leave and stay with them!" I jumped at the sudden burst of anger from him, but Kaitlin had other things to say. "Look, Piper. I'm not mad about this. We weren't expecting you to get caught, but we were hoping that you got the necklace." "I know, but I can't see into the future." "I know." We hugged and went back to the hideout, and said nothing to J for the rest of the night.

A few days later, I got a call from Jack, who told me that it was safe to come back home. I had just started packing my bags when I heard a loud bang. I looked out a small, barred window only to see a hole opening in the sky. "Ummmm, Kaitlin, Jacob? You guys might wanna see this!" I still stared out the window when I felt a hand touch my shoulder. Jumping from the touch, I turned around to find Jake standing behind me. "What's that?" He asked, leaning over me to look outside. "I don't know, but I can't leave with all of this going on. It's too dangerous." I saw him nod out of the corner of my eye. I walked away from the window and Kaitlin came running in. "We gotta get out of here, guys. There are literal aliens falling from the sky and they're coming straight for us!" We ran around trying to find a safe exit, but every door we opened was blocked. "Well, it looks like we're screwed." I said, but then I had an idea. Grabbing my phone, I texted Hailey to see where she went in all of this.

P: Hey, Lee, I just wanted to see if you knew anything about what's going on here.

H: I do, but I was sworn to secrecy. Sorry, girl.

P: Well, do you know a safe place for me and my friends to stay for the time being?

H: No, sorry again. I gotta go, but I'll text you later.

P: ok

I started hoping and praying someone would find us here. Sure enough, I heard a knock on the door and it got kicked down. "Is there anyone in here?" "Yes, in the back! Please help us. There's not an exit that's clear!" Kaitlin called out as I continued to pack bags with Jacob. I looked up to see Hailey's dad all dressed out in a suit of armor. "Mr. Stark?" "Yes, who are you?" I explained everything to him and he helped us to safety. "Thank you, Mr. Stark." "Just stay out of the way, kids." He flew off and back up to the top level of his tower.

After the Avengers saved the day, I was on my way back home to see Jack and his parents. When I arrived, I was greeted by Max and Jack. "Good to have you back, Ryn." Jack hugged me tight and I hugged him right back. "Am I safe?" He nodded and led me in the house. It was so quiet that I thought no one was home, but was proven wrong when the back door swung open. "Hello, Piper." "Hi, Mr. Connor." The taller man didn't seem too happy to have me back, but when Mrs. Connor came back inside from working to get a drink of water, he seemed to lighten up. "Why hello, Piper. How have you been?" "I've been better, but I'm happy to be back in my old bed." She smiled and showed me back to my old room. "We left it the same way you left it." I thanked her and she left me alone to wallow in my memories, even though I had only been gone a few days. "Hey, Piper?" I heard Jackson, but stayed silent. "Piper, are you in here?" "Yeah." He came into my room, and helped me put my stuff back in my small cubie. "Did you talk to them?" "What are you talking about?" I looked at him with my arms crossed. "You know what I'm talking about." He huffed and smiled. "Yeah, I did talk to them. Well, I talked to my dad about letting you come back. Mom had no issues letting you back in the house." "Well, thank you, but you didn't have to do that." "Of course I did." I smiled and turned my back to him, looking out my window. Without another word, Jack hugged me and left my room.

Once he was gone, I climbed back in my hidey-hole and popped open my book about Loki and Thor. Considering everything I just saw today, I had to get my stuff straight. "I know the chapter is in here somewhere." I flipped through the pages and finally found the chapter on Loki's life at the end. "Here it is." I smiled and started reading it before falling asleep in my massive, green bean bag.