The Eruption of Mountgomery

Chapter 30

Sky had worked rapidly, her path waked by flickering ruby and clementine flames. Raising her hands upon her exit, the FBI agency was now caked in shifting, almost solidified ice blue liquid. The liquid was oxygen which seemed to swirl and bend to her will. Reaching into her pocket, she drew out one last match, lighting it and tossing it into the building. The resulting explosion was enormous, scalding nearby passersby and busting the rest's eardrums. Her plot was succeeding, moving just like a river. Her vehicle was just a few blocks away, a new determined glint in her eye, and a bit of pep in her step. Was this enough to drive a wedge between them further? With a shrug, she revved the engine--she had a place to be and she intended on being punctual. 

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Nero's eyes were wide, a small smile danced upon his lips when she emerged. Behind him, the television droned on and on about an explosion at the FBI complex. He had his arms folded across his chest, an eyebrow carefully raised. She approached him easily, and she glared at the television. The air grew thicker around the two, however they seemed unaffected. No, it would be too early to take him out. Her lips curled at the thought, the scheme formulating as he lifted a hand, placing an almost shy kiss to the back of her hand. Her cheeks were painted a pale pink and she chuckled. How could he be watching something so devious? So unsavory? Rolling her shoulders back, she held his gaze. 

She huffed and entered his house easily. The door closed behind her and her heels clacked loudly against the linoleum flooring of the corridor. "Shouldn't we be leaving?" Nero asked, his tone tinged with concern. 

"Why would she do that?" She questioned carefully. "She hated Agent Haben, but killing innocent people?" A carefully placed scoff caught Nero's attention as he sauntered into his own living room. 

"What? Who? Did you do that?" 

An airy laugh and her eyes twinkled with mirth. "Nero, I love you, but I would not dare do that. Why would you believe that?" 

Nero seemed at a loss for words, his brain blanking at the prospect of somebody loving him other than her. Indeed, girls flocked in his direction, but he had his mind set on one and even that one did not seem to become the one. However, Nero would be damned if he allowed Sky to saunter away. Easily, he raised an eyebrow and said carefully, "Blaise is dead, Sky. I have killed--" 

"Accidents do happen, Nero." She stated, placing a hand upon his cheek. The touch was electric, leaving him at her tender mercies. Where agitation lay, fascination overtook the agitation. Inhaling sharply, he raised a hand to seize her wrist. Their eyes refused to disconnect. However, when they did, it was not caused by a change in the broadcast, but texts from both their phones simultaneously. Sky watched as Nero sauntered away, into the kitchen. She observed as a hand rose and skimmed the top of his head, blue eyes darkening. Softly, she clicked her tongue disapprovingly and turned the television off, sauntering into the kitchen. She would message her later. 

"I know accidents happen, but she was not like you--she was--" 

An icy scoff and the air thickened to a dangerous level. Their chests burned, however, the level lowered when their eyes met. Her employer--her trainer was hardhearted, but careful around Sky. She had spoken to Sky with the command of a shouting commanding officer during the military. However, this woman, Jade Montgomery, was different. They were one in the same, the same person just a different name, but Jade was less calloused, less prone to violent mood swings. However, when her temper did flare, it sent chills up and down her spine. She could understand why Nero would chase after a woman like that, however, it wouldn't have worked. Sky knew that and she had no intentions of changing that any time soon. Easily, she closed the space between them and their lips and placed a kiss to his own. 

When she pulled back, the hardening color of his eyes, returned to their icy shade of blue. Holding his gaze for a moment, she said, "Forget her, you do not need her." 

Nero relented and, with a forced smile, followed Sky out the door. Upon their arrival in the town, they pulled up near the remains of the bureau. However, that was not exactly what changed Nero's pleasant mood. A distraught Jade Montgomery, locked eyes with him and for a moment, he saw a flicker of hope in her gaze, but his lips twisted to a thin-lipped frown. The light turned green, and they sped away. He could hear a strangled sob escape her throat, however, a small smile danced upon his lips. When they arrived to the restaurant, a steakhouse, known for its prime rib-eye and freshly grilled salmon, the mood quickly shifted from somber to excited. The hostess led them to their table, a booth near stain glass windows, Nero eyed Sky warily. Something was up, however, he quickly dismissed it as first date nerves. Their server brought water and they quickly dismissed the waitress--needing more time to figure out what they were getting. 

Sky was texting, but he passed it off as work-related. Finally, she pocketed her phone, a satisfied smirk upon her lips. Nero raised an eyebrow, but before he could question the smug smile, their waitress came back and they placed their orders. Satisfied that they would be left alone, Nero gently asked, "What's got you in such a pleasant mood other than my presence?" The way that the arrogant tone rolled off his tongue just seemed oddly out of place. However, Sky shook her head. 

"A deal that I proposed at work earlier went through--" She trailed off. Indeed his concerns were unfounded and the question that he needed answered, rolled off his tongue. 

"How did you and Agent Montgomery meet exactly? She told me she needed to speak to me." 

"About me? Does she suspect me of unsavory things?" 

Nero raised an eyebrow at the wording of that question, but he shook his head. "Well yeah actually she mentioned that she knew you once upon a time. Spoke that you were an hit woman that she herself trained. Is that true?" 

"Come now, Nero. I know we just met and all, and you're a former FBI agent, but I have never killed." The lie was forged so easily as it flowed from her lips. She would not dare pull any of her punches. "Even if what Montgomery said was true, she watched you kill your own partner in the line of duty. She could have stopped you, but she didn't. How could you still love somebody like that?" 

Nero shook his head. Why would she do that? Why would the woman he loved allow him to kill his partner? Making a mental note to fully question the successful prosecuting attorney, well on her way to becoming Attorney General, their food arrived and all questions about Blaise Vesuvius halted, turning to playful banter about interests, hobbies. Worthless information in the eyes of an onlooker, but from a person looking in, there was a point to it. Oh, Jade was correct to be suspicious and it was fascinating how Nero was so quick to put blind faith in a woman who he had just only met. Sky smirked as their meal was coming to a close. The waitress sauntered over, and with a mischievous glint in her eye, placed it in front Nero. The check directed toward Nero, had a small message scrawled in crimson ink. 

No. Absolutely not.