Strong For Too Long Trilogy ✔️

06. Junior In Charge

CHAPTER 6: Junior In Charge

It's almost seven in the evening as Fern and I stand side by side in the elevator, he holds a smart phone out to me, "You call me on speed dial if there's any problems and you need an extraction."

I take it without arguing, "I don't know why you're so worried." I state, he turns to me now.

"This is your first mission, it can be costly out there." He murmurs, I turn to look at him, his eyebrows are furrowed, his cuffs tighten as he holds himself stiffly , looking at me directly and the emotions swirling in his eyes is thoroughly unnecessary.

"I'm merely a voice in an ear piece and technical support, I won't be the one in the line of fire." I remind him, just as the elevator opens and we both strut out as he walks me towards the front entrance, but, stops before I can open the doors.

"Be safe out there." He murmurs, giving me one long look before he walks away, I don't bother watching him as I open the door with my suitcase in one hand and the phone in the other. My dark leather jacket glimmers in the night as I strut towards the van I'd ordered Pierce to ensure was equipped.

My heels click on the pavement as Harrison opens the driver's door in his tuxedo, he slams it closed with a clenched door as he walks up to the back, "You're late." He comments, opening the door to reveal the others and my laptops near the very front of the vehicle.

I huff, "Actually, I'm right on time."

Tobias and Wes are the ones closest to the ends of both doors and funnily enough, they both put their hands down to help me up in the Van, sliding the suitcase in, I take both their hands and am pulled up as Reynolds says,

"Finally, we were thinking we'd have to leave without you."

My jaw clenches but, I hold my tongue and shake off my inner nerves, if anything. A hand stays longer than necessary and I turn to Wes as he furrows at it, before he looks up at me, "You're nervous?" He's quiet but the others look in my direction.

"Were you not on your first mission?" I ask, almost sincerely and he rubs his thumb over the back of my hand, attempting to be calming but, it does nothing for my nerves as I slip my hand from his and walk towards my desk where the laptops were drilled down.

"Do you each have your earpieces?" I ask as Harrison revs the engine and accelerates forward, I open the suitcase and pull out my laptop as they each communicate 'Yes'.

Connection to the network programme, I hold the phone close to my lips, "Harrison, check?"

"Check!" He says over the wall between us, I open the small window so I can see the road ahead.

"Tobias, check?"

"It's Deign and yes, check." He says, almost in annoyance.

I enter each one into the sound waves system to make sure each one is static free, "Madison, check?"

"Check, Olivine, I really hope you know what you're doing." She murmurs the last part and I look at her over my shoulder, almost glaring.

I return to the screen, "Reynolds, check?"

"Check, kid. Good luck." He says calmly.

I roll my eyes, "Oh, I'm still pissed at you for what you did at the beach." I mention, before cutting his excuses off as I ask,

"Branson, check?"

"Check, you look hot, by the way." He says and I barely notice as I mutter,

"I'm not one for compliments but, cheers."