CHAPTER SIX
I figured I’d be in Holy Water by then. But with the new information coming, we all thought it was better if we took advantage of the momentum to orchestrate an attack. It’s been only a couple of days since I planted the spy in their system, but we were collecting info from other directions as well.
So, when Aaron suggested we meet up again to strategize an offensive, I jumped at the idea. It’d also be a good opportunity to watch their dynamics with Mia again.
Since I wasn’t undercover anymore and didn’t need to be as inconspicuous, I was finally able to wear my glasses—lens bothered me—and leave my arms uncovered, leaving my tattoos on display.
They started as an act of rebellion. The shy nerd who dared to ink his skin. Then I learned not to care if people were making fun of me for being a geek, and the tattoos just became some colorful fun.
I walked into a new house we’d use for the meeting to see two of my superiors were already there. Robert Dawson and Edward Langdon. Two complete opposites.
Edward Langdon had been in the agency for decades. He always had an easy smile to give and went out of his way to compliment us and hype us up. He was fit for a nearly sixty-year-old man, maybe because his tall frame disguised the small belly forming over the years.
Robert Dawson was a skinny, always suited-up pain in the ass. He seemed to be in a constant state of analyzing—criticizing—everyone. If to screw you over, find mistakes, or test our character I never knew. He was also relatively new to the area. He’d arrived right before I took the Prodigy’s—Mia’s—position. Rumor had it he was a part of the committee that decided to let her go. So, maybe he knew something I didn’t.
Both men turned to me as I walked in, and Mr. Langdon smiled and stretched his hand for me to shake. “I’m sorry to force you out of bed so early in the morning. But believe me, I’m not happy at being up this early either.”
I shook his hand and smiled back. “I guess it comes with the territory. I’m just happy to have been considered for this investigation, sir.”
He slapped my shoulder friendly. “For one of our biggest investigations, we needed one of our best special agents.” He waved his hand dismissively. “And please, I told you already, enough with that ‘sir’ bullshit. It reminds me that I’m getting old when I want to feel like the young guys. ‘Edward’ is fine.”
“Maybe we should vent about our gone youth over beer and turn this mission into a happy hour,” Mr. Dawson snapped. “It’s high time you both take this seriously. We’re dealing with a crisis here, and we already don’t have Cross undercover since his last mistake.”
I cleaned the smile on my face. “I apologize, sir. I know the importance of this assignment, and I’m not making light of it. You can count on me to conclude it.”
He scoffed and mumbled. “Time will tell.”
When Mr. Dawson turned away, Edward shook his head at me, silently warning me to keep my cool. I bit my tongue to stay quiet.
Things only got worse from there.
I was still fuming over the arrogant boss when Mia, Aaron, Danny, and Ben arrived.
As soon as they entered the room, Edward’s face lit up. “ I can’t believe my eyes. I thought I’d never see you again.” He bent down to engulf her in his arms.
She closed her eyes and hugged him back. “And take away from your life the wonderfulness that I am? Never.”
He chuckled right before hugging Danny and slapping him on the back. “And would you look at that? Another returning kid. I can’t believe you’re both here.” He gasped. “Am I dying?”
Mia and Danny laughed at him, and she was about to answer when she noticed the other man—she’d yet to see me.
Mr. Dawson jerked at the sight of her and stared at Aaron accusatorily. “What is she doing here?”
Aaron approached both men as he buttoned his suit. “Good morning, Mr. Langdon. Mr. Dawson. She—they are here to work. Ms. Bryant’s company was hired by the agency to give us the support we unquestionably need to conclude this operation.”
She rested one hand on top of the other in a regal posture. “I’m sorry, sir. Is my existence being insubordinate ? Maybe I should comply with a couple of crimes here and there for your amusement.”
Ben scoffed, Danny and Edward suppressed a smile, while Aaron closed his eyes and sighed. “Please, Mia. Let me handle this.”
“You’re going to handle this all right, Scott,” Mr. Dawson interrupted. “The other room. Now ! ”
He turned on his heel and marched away with Aaron in his tow.
“Just ignore him,” Edward chimed in.
Mia stretched her neck to watch them leave. “I think he likes me. It’s going to be so much fun working with h—” She finally noticed my presence, and her first reaction was to frown. She scrunched her nose and murmured, “Of course you wear glasses.”
Ben and Danny chuckled at an inside joke I wasn’t privy to. I was starting to get annoyed—and disappointed—that my wearing glasses was something she’d judged me for—especially since she wore them as well. Then I realized there was something else behind her quip. As she perused my inked arms and watched my glass-wearing face again, I noticed her pupils were dilating, turning her big doe eyes even darker.
I grinned at her. “Good morning, Spitfire. Have you gotten into any more trouble lately?”
“I’m on my best behavior today, Phoenix. Granted, I’ve just woken up. Gimme some time and I’ll give you the trouble you deserve.”
Edward watched our interaction with an amused expression. “I see you’ve met Ethan Cross, Mia.”
“Not on purpose.”
Ben dropped his backpack on the floor, plopped onto one of the chairs, and smiled. “Damn, this is going to be fun. ”
Always pacifying, Danny intervened, “Morning, Ethan. Ready to work together again?”
I sat down across from Ben. “I can’t wait. It’ll be fun to relive our early days.”
Edward draped an arm over Mia’s shoulder. “It’s so good to have you all back.” He turned to Ben. “You and I haven’t worked together yet, but I heard a lot about you, so I’m looking forward to it. And I’ve got to say, you remind me of my younger self.”
“You mean sexy?” Ben asked.
“Reckless?” Danny questioned.
“Trouble-maker?” Mia chimed in.
The older man laughed. “I guess a little bit of all that. You didn’t say what you think of him, Ethan—”
The next-door room opened with a bang, and Mr. Dawson strode inside, fuming at the sight of Mr. Langdon side-hugging Mia. “We’ve wasted too much time already with this…new development on the assignment.” He stared pointedly at Aaron, who remained silent but stared right back. “We can’t afford another loss. Losing your brother was one mistake too many, Ms. Bryant, so let’s be professional.”
Ben cursed under his breath and tried to jump from his chair; thankfully Danny held him down.
The color drained from Mia’s face. She fisted her hands and stepped closer to Mr. Dawson on instinct. “Don’t you— ”
“Enough, Robert!” Edward pulled her back. “If you expect us to be professional, you should lead by example and not exploit people’s pain like a petulant child.”
The energy turned heavy; no one was willing to back down first from the staring-match. And I was once again curious about what had happened to her brother.
And how responsible she was for it.