Strong For Too Long Trilogy ✔️

07. Reading the Criminal Mind

CHAPTER 7: Reading the Criminal Mind
(Aaron's POV)

"This is better than where we were, Aaron. You've at the very least got to admit that much." Tobias says from the bed on his side of the flat, we had our own en-suites at least, but the room was shared with a barely cut-in lounge and a mediocre kitchen next to the door to the outside elevator from downstairs, where training is being conducted as we speak. I take a seat on my mattress, shoving my clothes into the set drawers next to the mattress.

Tobias gives me a raised eyebrow, "What was going on with you and Celeste?" He asks, looking amused as he folds his own clothes away. I stare up at the ceiling, eyebrows furrowed. I shake my head.

"She was merely pushing my buttons. I don't know why she went for me in the first place." I mutter, confusion wafting my features before I pull out a certain diary of mine, opening the page to my first drawing of Olive, her button nose didn't look right, but I was proud in managing to get her eyes right, the exact colour and shade with freckles sprinkling along her sharp cheekbones. I stare down at it, I love you, pipsqueak.

The sound of the door shoving open to our flat has me stiffening as I slide the diary along my duvet and under my lonesome pillow, the dark grey and black furniture set a darkening vibe, yet a sophisticated one with bland couches in the lounge, white tiles in the kitchen.

I step up to see Madison searching through the cabinets, muttering, "Coffee, coffee, coffee." Under her breath, Branson rolls his eyes, he gives me a narrow-eyed look when he sees me.

"Whatever happened to Olive and only Olive?" He asks me, rudely.

Samsara stiffens as she takes a slow seat on the couch, Reynolds makes her a sandwich, given food was stocked well in each room. Tobias glares at him, "Shut up, Branson." He says, flicking on the television as I step towards the solo couch, I sink into the seat, wincing when I feel a bruise forming against my abdomen. God, the woman hit hard for someone who was merely seeing just where I was in my combat associations.

I ignore Branson raised eyebrow sent my way, "So, Celeste?" He questions.

I give him a dark look, "It's not like that, nor would it ever be."

"First love will not always be your last." He notes, just as Madison slaps him on the upside of his head, Harrison steps into the room, looking to be in a rush with flushed cheeks, he places his back against the door.

"This place is bloody brilliant." Harrison breathes out.

Reynolds takes a slow seat next to Samsara, rubbing her back as he places the small sandwich on her lap, placing a kiss on her temple, "This was a good idea." He murmurs against her strawberry blonde hair. She merely nods, side-glancing him before staring at the table in front of her. I close my eyes, leaning my head back.

"Have you guys seen the electronically advanced tablets, the drones for sophisticated entry?" Harrison blurts out, grabbing a sofa coke from the fridge, easily taking a gulp once I open my eyes as he too, joins the group seated around the small coffee table.

No one says anything in answer.

I almost give him a dark look as I glance over to the television, just as the door opens once more, Silas stands there with his eyebrows pinched and eyes focused on the folder in front of him, brown folder, "Alright, in exactly thirty minutes, you'll be beginning your rotations. We'll be waiting downstairs in the main foyer. Westlake, you're on Strategic Planning with Celeste in the courtroom. The rest of you have your timetables on the screens, chop chop, people." He says to us, closing the folder and the door all at once.

I give the door a deadpanned look. Madison clears her throat, "You better get your story straight with her, Aaron. Because I have a feeling this girl is all too alike to Olive." She says, matter-of-factly. I stand in annoyance, moving towards my supposed room. Grabbing my laptop, I open the screen as I look through Pierce's hard drive...I found out two weeks ago-he wanted to get Olive out, but first he wanted her to join him and Reed's team.