Chapter 11
Keira looked miserable as she lay in bed. Her belly was growing, and Alex knew all Keira wanted to walk around for more than just a trip to the bathroom. Alex gave her friend a sympathetic smile and set the Thai takeout on a table next to her friend’s bed.
“Thank you so much,” Keira said. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“I bet it gets lonely when Logan’s working.”
It was the Monday after a three-day weekend for many of the Gray Tower employees. Not all, though. Headquarters had to be run, and there were ongoing missions that had to be monitored. However, for most of Alex’s friends, they were able to enjoy an extra day off.
“It is,” Keira noted. “My assistant comes in for blocks at a time, but a lot of what she does must be done back at Headquarters. She can’t babysit me all day. I’m glad you were in the area. There are only so many microwave meals I can take.”
Alex smiled sadly.
“I feel so bad for you. This should be a happy time, and you’re miserable.
“The baby is doing great, except for the placenta previa issue.”
“Do you know the sex of the baby yet?”
Keira nodded.
“We’re going to announce it as soon as we figure out a name. We’ve been going back and forth for weeks now.”
A pang of jealousy hit Alex. She had wanted kids. But kids involved sex, and she just couldn’t do it. She was happy for Keira, though. Her friend had gone through years of hell. She deserved to be happy. It just sucked that she was on bed rest.
“Well, I need to get going,” Alex said, wishing she could stay longer. “Miles wanted a few documents couriered to a satellite office outside the city. And guess who got to do it?”
Keira smirked.
“Isn’t that for grunts?”
“Oh, no. These are important documents.”
The women burst out laughing. It was good to see Keira smiling. She had looked so dejected lately.
“Okay. I do need to go,” Alex said, looking at her smartwatch. “I’m running behind.”
“Go,” Keira said, waving her hand. “Let yourself out. I used up most of my walking around for the afternoon.”
Alex gave her a sympathetic nod and left the bedroom.
As she traversed the house and went down to the entryway, she froze when she saw a small picture on the wall.
It was one of a young Logan and an even younger kid next to him.
Alex stared at it, knowing who it was instantly.
That was Nathan, and it looked just like her Blue Eyes—a very young version, but it was him. He hadn’t been lying.
She had been torturing herself for the past two days about what to do. She didn’t know if she could trust him or if he was who he said he was. This solved one problem. But she still wasn’t sure what to do about helping him.
Help Nathan and possibly get rid of all those super suits? Tell Miles and lose the chance, but stay loyal to the man who helped her during her worst time? Alex had no clue.
Tears squeezed from her eyes as she battled her feelings. She needed to decide. She didn’t know when Nathan would approach her, and she had to be prepared.
? ? ?
“Mind if I sit with you?”
Alex froze midway between bites of her salad.
She looked up to see an older man in his late seventies smiling.
Another day had passed since the Nathan incident, and she was in the Gray Tower Headquarters cafeteria, finishing her lunch.
She usually ate at her desk, but she had been held over in a meeting that had gone over two hours.
Afterward, she had to review her notes, and by the time she was done, it was two in the afternoon.
Miles ordered her away for an hour. So, here she was, sitting by herself, wanting to get back to work but not being able to.
“I, uh…” Alex stumbled, not knowing what to say.
Before she could make a fool of herself, he sat across from her, a coffee and a pastry in his hand.
“I shouldn’t be eating this,” he said, pointing to his Danish. “Too much sugar, but it was calling my name.” He winked.
Alex immediately liked the guy and giggled. He exuded warmth and kindness like her late grandfather. She missed that kind of interaction.
“It does look good,” she agreed.
“It’s probably stale. I think they bake the pastries in the morning.”
She laughed and said, “They do.”
“I’m John, by the way.”
He held out his hand. Alex took it.
“Alex.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alex.”
He gave a slight smile and bit into his pastry.
“Stale.”
Alex giggled.
“Sorry. I can say something to the kitchen—”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m still going to eat it.” He laughed. “Sugar is sugar, and I need my fix.”
“I hear you.” Alex paused and cocked her head. She had never seen John before, but the company was huge. “So, John, what do you do?”
“Bit of this and a bit of that.” He chuckled. “Right now, I just clean up other people’s messes.”
With that answer, he could literally have any job at Gray Tower, she thought.
“I feel the same way,” Alex said.
“Working here can be tough, and you look exhausted, if you don’t mind me saying. I can see it in your eyes.”
She shrugged and said, “I like being busy. It’s just that…I have this dilemma, and it’s weighing heavily on my mind. The more I think about it, the worse it gets.”
“I see.”
She shook her head as she watched him study her.
“You think I’m overanalyzing it?”
“No. I think you have a hard decision, and it’s okay to have doubts.”
“Then what do I do? No matter what I choose, I feel like I’m betraying someone.”
He sighed and said, “I made some choices, and now I’m estranged from my daughter.”
“I’m so sorry.”
He shook his head and held up his hand.
“They were still the right choices, and when I am done, I hope she will forgive me once she sees the whole picture.”
Alex nodded. If she were to help Nathan and they were successful, would that be how Miles saw it?
He’d be furious with her, but she hoped the good would outweigh the bad.
If she told Miles about what was going on, Nathan would disappear again, and Gray Tower would never find him.
He may not be able to complete his mission.
What if he died because he didn’t get the help?
Alex knew he would go off on his own regardless of whether she helped or not, and the thought of him dead horrified her.
That was her answer.
“Thank you,” Alex said. “You helped me make my decision.”
John smiled.
“Glad to help.” He bit into his Danish and made a face. “I’m going out to eat where my sugar fix will be fresh.”
He got up from the table. Alex tried to stand with him, but he waved her away.
“Finish your lunch. I’ll see you around, Ms. Alex.”
With that, he walked away, leaving her feeling better for the first time since she had taken the Sims mission.
? ? ?
Nate watched as Alex pulled her BMW into the garage.
Sitting in his truck, he waited until the garage door was down.
Then he got out of his vehicle and headed around the back of her house.
He decided to knock at the back sliding glass door since he knew Alex was wary, and she wouldn’t want him to ambush her again.
At first, he heard nothing. The drapes on the door were pulled, so he couldn’t see in. He was wondering if he would have to break in when the door finally cracked open, revealing Alex, now in a simple T-shirt and black yoga pants.
Her eyes were wide, and she looked him up and down before saying, “I thought you’d just let yourself in like you did the last time.”
Nate shrugged.
“Didn’t want to scare the shit out of you again.”
A slight smile crossed her lips as she said, “I appreciate that.”
“So…” he shuffled uncomfortably. “You going to let me in?”
“Oh! Sorry!”
She slid open the door the rest of the way, her face flushed.
He wasn’t sure if it was because she was flustered, nervous, or something else.
Stepping inside, he gave Alex space, knowing she hadn’t done well when he was near her.
That fact sucked, but he had to do what was best for her.
If Nate had his way, he’d be kissing her senselessly.
Nate stopped that thought before it could take hold. He was here for the mission. He’d be professional, and he’d keep Alex away from danger. It was risky involving her, but this was important.
They stood there awkwardly. Nate had no idea what to say to her.
Hey, have you decided to risk your professional career, your friendships, and possibly your life helping some guy you’ve met twice? Oh, and the first time you met him was when he kidnapped you.
Yeah. How about no.
“Do you want to sit?” Alex asked, pointing to a small dinette table.
“Sure,” Nate told her, feeling like an idiot.
He was nervous, and he needed to get his shit together. She would either tell him yes or no, and then he’d deal with whatever happened next. She didn’t mean anything to him.
Lies. So many lies.
When they were seated, Nate stared at her, waiting for her to say something. He wasn’t going to push her, but he also wasn’t there to make small talk. The less she knew about him, the better.
“I…” Alex tapped the table nervously and let out a breath. “I spent so much time going over this decision. Nathan, what you’re asking me to do—”
He shook his head and quickly interjected, “If it’s too much, I understand.”
“No. I mean, yes. I mean, just let me finish!”
Fire flashed in her eyes. Nate had to smile. He had always seen her scared or apprehensive. He liked this side of her, even if she was annoyed with him.
“You’re asking me to go against a man who has become a father to me. My real father…” She shook her head. Her eyes were glassy, and she blinked away tears that threatened to fall. “To me, my real father doesn’t exist anymore. Miles has been there for me when no one else has.”
Nate swallowed hard, realizing she was trying to let him down gently.
Shit.
He had been expecting this. It had been a long shot. Now, he just hoped that she’d keep the fact he was around a secret.