Spies

Chapter 17

NB - Sorry about the late chapters guys. Work, writer's block and life has gotten to me. Hopefully another chapter this week will make up for it.

AW0706

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"Stupid Alex," I whisper to myself as I marched out of the room, all the papers out of order in my hand. "Who does he think he is?" I can't believe he just said that to me. Who does he think he is?

I did not even know the source for my anger. All I knew at the moment was that Alex was acting irrationally towards Brent in the dining room. Thoughts plagued my mind and I could not think straight. What was that behaviour all about? Was he actually jealous? That's crazy! He doesn't even like me!

Ever since I met Brent at the beginning of the case, we have always found a way to talk to each other. He was one of the bodyguards assigned to the family and has worked with them for years. We joked around, laughed, and even flirted a little whenever we saw each other. He made the gloom that followed our career paths seem a little lighter as the days passed by.

He had also been determined in asking me out. At first, Alex kept popping up in my mind whenever he would ask me, but as time passed, I got to know him whenever we would pass each other in the halls or have little chats before meetings. Unlike Michael, Brent seemed more compatible with me. We both had field jobs, knew the dangers of life, amazing chemistry even though we had just met. One date could not hurt at all, right?

Before I knew it, I went through the kitchen's backdoor to the garden. It was peaceful there, the perfect place to clear my head for a few minutes. Taking a deep breathe, I organized the papers in my hand, finished my light breakfast, and stared at the garden space for a few minutes.

Then, all of a sudden, my near surroundings grew colder and colder. Something was not right. I could feel the hairs on my neck standing on edge, something bad was about to happen. I discreetly checked around my waist only to find that I hand not brought any weapons with me in my haste. How could I be so careless?

Nevertheless, I shook those feelings away and focused on the situation. I then felt a hand move to my back, and a familiar voice saying, "Don't make any sudden moves." I scoffed and turned around, seeing Alex stood before me with a sheepish look on his face.

"What do you want," I asked, crossing my arms on my chest. He glanced down at this for a couple seconds before refocusing on the situation.

"Listen," he started. "I'm sorry." We both paused, me thinking he wanted to continue, but as the silence grew longer, I quickly realized that this was as far as an apology from him that I would get.

Deciding that I could mess with him for the moment, I said, "And?"

"And..." he stretched for a few long seconds, and then concluded. "And I wont do it again?" he answered questioningly.

With an eye roll, I got quiet. Did I really want to forgive him? He is my partner and all but the way he...ughh.

"Fine. You're forgiven, but that doesn't make it right," I said. I needed to set some boundaries between us if this was going to continue. You don't see me overreacting and telling him what to do with his spare time.

I guess I am all confused about everything concerning us. One minute he is the playboy everyone knows and the next he is someone who can actually focus and have a non-sexual and professional conversation with.

And last night was the most confusing moment in our entire relationship. He pulls me onto his lap, securing me the way lovers would do, and then the minute I am unconscious, he leaves. Does he like me or not? Am I reading too much into this?

"I'll make it up to you. Promise," he begs. "I just...I don't know what came over me," he concludes.

Just as I was about to respond, gunshots could be heard from inside the house. Quickly glancing at each other, we ran towards the sound, him pulling out his concealed weapon from his suit jacket in front of me.

We arrived at the door of room where the shots can still be heard - the main foyer. The hall we were in did not allude to our arrival. Turning his head towards me, he whispered, "Where's your gun?"

"What do you mean 'Where's my gun?'. Obviously, I don't have it with me since you interrupted my routine of eating then suiting up," I whispered back a bit harshly.

"So you're going to go into a gunfight armed with what exactly. Loverboy ain't gonna save you from here," he replied, matching my tone.

"Watch it. I just forgave your stupid ass," I matched, scanning the hall.

"You're the one who started it. All I asked was-"

"We're getting nowhere with this," I interrupted. Looking around quickly a second time, I found one of the guards unconscious in the corner, luckily with the gun in his holster. "Guess today's my lucky day."

"We are so gonna talk about today after this," he told me.

"Are we now," I commented, glancing at his back. "Ready," I said, beginning the countdown from three when he gave a slight head nod.

We entered the room and everything was a mess. Glass shattered in every corner of the room, pictures strewn. Blood and bodies were everywhere. Flashes of our first case plagued my mind, seeing as this was almost the same scenario. Hopefully Brent and the other guards got the family to the safe room in the house in time.

The intruders all wore masks, excellently trained and heavily armed. There were only a few of us standing matching their numbers, the bodies around us accounting for the rest of each of our sides.

Alex moved quickly yet gracefully, years of training, practice and focus showing. Expertly, a man from the other side was sneaking up to him, Alex completely unaware. As quickly as I had just shot the man who was about to do the same to Alex, something pressed against my back. "Don't make any sudden moves." This time, no humour could come from the situation. "Drop the gun." The air around the room stilled, everyone was looking at us.

I faced Alex, dropping the gun from my hand and putting both of my hands up. Moving only my eyes, I could see three surviving intruders making their way towards me and the guy with the gun pressed firmly on my lower spine. The all had their guns pointed at the survivors on my side. All the while, Alex could not take his eyes off of me.

"Guys, can't we just work something out?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood. Wow, I'm turning into Alex.

"Shut up," said the guy behind me, pushing the gun further into my back and grabbing my arm. He was a good foot taller than me, his size and strength matching his baritone.

"Watch it,"Alex said, cocking his gun. "Let her go." Two guards were at either side of him, guns pointed and drawn.

"Why would we listen to you?" said one of the gunmen. Meanwhile, Alex and I held eye contact, both of us not knowing what to do without jeopardizing my life.

Seemingly, the staring contest we were having was taking too long. "Walk," the guy behind me said, pulling me in the direction of the back of the house. I could hear Alex saying something from behind me as I was lead by force.

As they dragged me, I tried to look for a way out. Realizing my intentions, someone put a black bag over my head and tied it while another struck me in the neck when I tried to break free. After that, all I saw was black.