17. Blake
SEVENTEEN
Blake
“Sophia?” I call out, my voice tinged with frustration. “Have you seen my ID?”
Her voice drifts in from the kitchen, amusement clear in her tone. “Did you check the dresser? You know, where you always leave it?”
“Of course I did,” I grumble, running a hand through my hair. “It’s not there.”
I never misplace my badge. Never.
“Are you sure?” Sophia’s footsteps approach, growing louder with each step. “You’re usually such a creature of habit.”
I check the dresser—again—pulling open drawers with increasing urgency.
“I’m telling you, it’s not here.”
The contents of each drawer—neatly folded clothes and organized accessories—mock me as I search. My movements become more frantic, and I toss items aside with growing frustration.
Dropping to my knees, I peer under the dresser, hoping to see the glint of my badge. Nothing but dust bunnies greet me.
“Come on, where are you?” I move to the bed and yank back the sheets. Pillows go flying as I search every inch of the mattress .
Sophia appears in the doorway just as I’m emptying the contents of the bedside table onto the floor. Her eyebrows shoot up at the chaos I’ve created.
“Wow.” A laugh bubbles up from her. “I’ve never seen you like this. It’s cute.”
I glare at her, but there’s no heat behind it.
Her smile fades as she takes in my distress. “Hey.” She steps into the room and places a hand on my arm. “We’ll find it, okay? Let’s think about this logically.”
Together, we methodically search the apartment. Sophia checks the laundry hamper while I scour the living room. We look under couch cushions, in kitchen drawers, even in the refrigerator— stranger things have happened.
After ten minutes of intense searching, we both stand in the middle of our now-disheveled apartment, defeated.
“Shit, I can’t believe this.” I run a hand through my hair for what feels like the hundredth time. “I never misplace my badge.”
Sophia wraps her arms around me, resting her head on my chest. “It’s okay. These things happen. You’ll get a temporary one made, right?”
“Yeah, I guess.” I sigh, my chin brushing the top of her head.
“First time for everything, right? Maybe the universe is telling you to shake up your routine a bit.” She pulls back, looking up at me with affection.
“Maybe you’re right.” Despite my frustration, I can’t help but smile.
“It’s just a badge. I’m sure they go missing all the time.”
“Maybe. But it’s a big deal—like huge.”
“Why?”
I meet her concerned gaze, the gravity of the situation clear in my voice.
“My badge grants access to highly restricted areas of Guardian HQ. Server rooms, weapons caches, classified document storage—everything. In the wrong hands…”
“What happens if you can’t find it?”
I let out a humorless laugh. “I face Mitzy’s wrath. She’s going to tear me a new one for this security breach. Not to mention, the guys will never let me hear the end of it.”
“It’s just misplaced. Not lost.”
“No. I distinctly remember putting it on the dresser last night.”
“I’m sure we’ll find it.” Sophia tenses. “What happens if we don’t?”
“The moment I report it missing, they’ll deactivate it and reset all the systems it had access to. It’s going to be a nightmare.”
“Maybe you should hold off on reporting it just yet.” There’s an odd note in her voice that I can’t quite place. Desperation? Fear? But before I can analyze it, she continues.
“Think about it. If you report it now and then find it in an hour, you’ll have caused all that trouble for nothing. You’ll have to face the team’s teasing and Mitzy’s anger.”
“I don’t know, Soph. It’s pretty serious…” I hesitate, torn between protocol and the logic in Sophia’s words.
“Just give it until tomorrow morning. You’re human. Mistakes happen. If it doesn’t show up by then, you can report it. Give it a chance to, I don’t know, magically reappear?”
Her urgency is puzzling, but I agree with her logic.
“Okay, you’re right. I’ll wait until tomorrow, but I must report it if it doesn’t turn up. No exceptions.”
“Of course. That’s reasonable.” Relief floods Sophia’s face. “But think of all the trouble you’ll avoid when you find it.”
I can’t shake the nagging feeling that something isn’t quite right. I walk her to The Guardian Grind. It’s part of our daily routine. Her hand is uncharacteristically cool in mine. Halfway there, she stops, tugging gently on my arm.
“I can make it the rest of the way.” She stretches up to kiss me. “You’re already running late.”
“You sure?” I hesitate, torn between duty and desire.
“It’s not far. Go. I’ll see you tonight.” She kisses me again. “Try to have a good day, and don’t worry about the badge. It’ll show up.”
A genuine smile spreads across my face. “Yes, ma’am. You have a good day, too.”
“I told you not to call me that.” She playfully punches at my chest. “If you keep it up, you’ll force me to do something I don’t want to do.”
“And what is that?”
“Stop going to my knees when I call you Sir.”
“Fuuuuck… Do you know what that does to me?”
Instant, fucking hard on.
“I know exactly what it does.” Her voice turns sultry and seductive. “So, if you want to keep me on my knees, you might want to let up on calling me ma’am.”
I pull her close, and our bodies press together. The heat between us is undeniable.
“I guess we’ll just have to see how the rest of the day goes, won’t we?”
“Tonight is going to be… unforgettable.” She smirks, eyes glinting with mischief.
A thrill courses through me at her words, anticipation building. The promise of a night filled with fire and passion lingers between us, making it hard to think about anything else.
I’m struck by how much has changed in such a short time. Months ago, I focused solely on the mission—on bringing down Greaves and his organization. Now, I have a warm goodbye, a place to come home to, and someone to share my life with.
I wouldn’t trade this for anything. The mission remains crucial, a driving force in my daily life, but it’s no longer my only purpose. Now, I have someone to protect and come home to.
Sophia makes me not just a better Guardian but a better man. The missing badge is a minor setback, nothing more.
As I stride into work, the bullpen buzzes with activity, the familiar hum of muted conversations washing over me.
Gabe spots me first. “Well, well, look who finally decided to join us.” He checks his watch, leaning back in his chair with a cheeky grin plastered all over his face. “Over an hour late? What do you get up to in the mornings?”
“Can it, Gabe.” I roll my eyes, already bracing for the inevitable ribbing.
“Oh, I bet something was up.” Walt chuckles, shaking his head. “ The great Blake Jackson… Never thought I’d see the day you’d be pussy-whipped.”
“Maybe he’s getting soft,” Rigel chimes in, his usually serious expression cracking with amusement. “Too much domestic bliss clouding that razor-sharp mind.”
“Soft?” Gabe laughs. “I think you meant to say something hard is clouding that razor-sharp mind of his.”
A flush creeps up my neck, equal parts embarrassment and something else I can’t quite name. “Are you three done? We have actual work to do, you know.”
“Oh, we’re just getting started.” Gabe laughs, winking at Walt. “How’s Sophia? Keeping you busy, I assume?”
“Busy? More like hard and exhausted,” Walt adds, grinning. “You look like you barely survived the night.”
“And morning.” Gabe taps his watch. “Bet that’s why he’s over an hour late to muster.”
“Cut the guy some slack,” Rigel says, smirking. “Sophia might be able to handle your... stamina, but we’re starting to wonder if you have any energy left for actual training. Or did you forget you’re a Guardian?”
“You guys are impossible.” I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head at their antics.
“Come on, Blake. Just admit it. She’s got you wrapped around her little finger.” Gabe claps me on the back, his grin widening.
“Alright, alright.” I hold up my hands in mock surrender. “You got me. Now, can we please get to work?”
As we dive into the day’s tasks, the playful banter fades, replaced by the focused intensity that defines our team. Still, the lingering smiles and occasional jabs remind me that, despite everything, these guys are my family. And for that, I’m grateful.