Chapter 17
Groaning, Nathan rubbed his protesting stomach.
He had eaten way too much of the take-out Alex had ordered.
After unpacking his gear, they were exhausted.
Alex hadn’t wanted to cook, and Nate wouldn’t have allowed it.
She had already helped him way too much.
She was sticking her neck out to help him and putting her life in danger.
The least he could do was make his own food.
However, the temptation of ordering Chinese had been too much, and he had given in.
Now, he was unpleasantly full but deliriously happy, sitting at Alex’s dinette table and talking with her as if they were best friends.
“And then Jack went to grab the senator, but as it turns out…” Alex continued, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “…he was otherwise occupied. Jack got an eyeful of the guy’s naked butt as he was ramming this prostitute in a rundown hotel. He hadn’t been kidnapped. He went out on a cocaine bender.”
Nate chuckled and asked, “What did Hunter do?”
“I think his exact words were, ‘Fuck this shit,’ and he left.”
“So the beautiful Alex can curse,” Nate teased.
“Hey, I cuss!” she exclaimed. Then she said in a softer voice, “Sometimes.”
He shook his head and laughed, holding up his hands.
“I stand corrected.” There was a long pause before he told her, “I haven’t laughed like this in a long time.”
He stood from the table, beginning to collect the empty containers. Alex got up and began to help, but he couldn’t keep her out of his thoughts: how much he enjoyed her company; how fantastic she was; how much he wanted to kiss her.
When the table was clear, Alex looked at him, sorrow in her eyes, and said, “Nathan, I’m so sorry. For…everything you’ve gone through.”
“It’s fi—” He began but stopped when she moved in front of him.
She opened her arms and hugged him. He stiffened initially, not expecting the move. He watched her eyes widen, and she broke contact. However, before she could move away from him, his arms came around her, and she was engulfed in his embrace.
Nate’s heart beat hard as he inhaled her scent, enjoying her warmth and how well she fit in his arms. He wished he could brush his hands over her soft skin, but he wouldn’t dare. This hug was pushing it. She looked up at him, her blue eyes glassy.
Were those tears for him?
He had never had someone be so concerned for him, and his feelings for Alex grew. Nate tried to ignore them, but it was getting harder every moment he spent with her.
Then, reality crashed down. What was he thinking? There was no way a woman like Alex would ever see anything in his busted-down, addict self. He may have cleaned up to become an elite soldier, but he was still broken. She deserved better.
He quickly pulled away, and an odd expression crossed Alex’s face.
Disappointment? Annoyance? Sadness? His life as an elite soldier had been a lonely one, even with a group of close-knit colleagues.
Nate never had much practice reading emotions, especially with women.
By the size and fit of the suits—at least that was what he had been told—there were no women using super suits.
Now that he thought about it, though, the Conglomerate rarely used women.
He had never seen any out on the field, except for a few contractors. Sexist assholes.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “Was that too much?”
Was she as unsure of herself as he was? Maybe this weird relationship they had was just as confusing for her as it was for him?
“No,” he told her. “It was…nice.”
Nice? Fuck, Slade, he berated himself. Nice is the best thing you could come up with?
She nodded and then said, “I guess I should show you to your room.”
He frowned.
“My room?”
“Yeah. The guest bedroom. It’s all made up. The sheets are fresh. Your bathroom is clean.”
Guest bedroom? Fresh sheets? His own bathroom?
“Alex, I was planning on staying in your garage. I don’t want to impose any more than I already have.”
“You are not imposing. There is no way you are sleeping out in my garage. It’s either the guest room, or you don’t stay at all.”
“That’s a weird ultimatum, but I’ll take the guest room.”
“Good.”
“Good.” There was a pause before Nate said, “Let me go secure the suit, and I’ll be back in a bit, all right?”
“Okay.”
Nate nodded and moved back to the garage, all the while thinking about that hug and what it meant.
? ? ?
“Uh, Earth to Alex?”
Shaking her head, Alex blinked and realized Kat was standing at her desk, waving her hand and looking concerned.
“Are you okay?” Kat asked, frowning. “You seem…spaced out.”
“I’m fine,” Alex said quickly. “Just tired. Not enough coffee today. Long week.”
“True. At least it’s Friday,” Kat offered. Then, she snorted and laughed. “What am I saying? We know I will end up working tomorrow since Miles wants me to roll out the super soldier devices.”
Alex sighed.
“That means I’ll be here, too.”
That also meant she wouldn’t be able to see much of Nathan.
“I’m just waiting for someone to make the specialized wireless component,” Kat told her.
“The suits use a Sub-GHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum for communication, and you can’t use a standard wireless card.
Think of it like someone is yelling into a megaphone.
You can hear them, but they can’t hear you.
That’s sort of what would happen if you attempted it with a standard wireless card.
The suits can talk to each other up to three kilometers away—beyond commercial routers.
I lucked out on the island that I had that kind of stuff for my laptop.
“You just happened to have that stuff,” Alex said, smirking.
“A girl must be prepared.” Kat grinned. “I already made an app. We’ll be ready to go as soon as I have the device. Then, I’m going to have to work with the guys on how to use it.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Hopefully, I’ll get to bug you tomorrow, bestie, or I’ll be bored.” She winked.
Alex’s heart sank.
Bestie.
And she had betrayed Kat’s trust by working with Nathan. She hoped Kat would understand in the end. Destroying the super soldiers was important—not just for her own safety but for every single person in Gray Tower, including Kat.
“I’m sure we’ll have time together,” Alex reassured her.
Alex heard her cell vibrate on her desk.
She and Kat glanced down to see a text message appear on it.
The message was unreadable, but the sender was: Blue Eyes.
Alex had changed Nathan’s name after realizing she shouldn’t associate with his real name.
An issue could crop up, and then there would be questions she would not be able to answer.
Of course, having a name like “Blue Eyes” on her phone could still cause issues—especially with Kat.
“Who. Is. Blue. Eyes?” Kat asked, punctuating each word sharply. A naughty smile crept across her face, and she wiggled her eyebrows. “Are you dating someone? The Alexandria Thorn is finally dating someone? Has hell frozen over?”
Guilt wracked Alex as she grabbed her phone and tucked it in a desk drawer. Kat didn’t know. Alex never had the courage to tell her. The only reason Miles knew was because of an odd string of events.
“I…uh…he’s…”
Alex was floundering. She’d have to lie to Kat. Maybe she could try to play it off?
“He’s no one,” she finished.
“Yeah, right,” Kat said, smirking. “Where’d you meet him? What’s his name? Are you dating? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Sighing, Alex realized she wouldn’t get out of this one, so she started rambling, sticking as closely to the truth as she could.
“It’s casual, and I’m not telling anyone about him unless it gets serious.”
“Why not?” Kat pouted, poking out her lower lip comedically.
“Because you all will run a background check on him and tell me his net worth, job history, family background, and who his fifth-grade elementary school teacher was.”
“Oh.” Kat shrugged. “Well, you have to admit that would be helpful.”
Alex shook her head, hoping Kat would drop the conversation. Unfortunately, she knew how nosey everyone at Gray Tower was, and since Alex had never shown interest in a guy before, everyone would jump on that.
“Can we stop talking about this?” she pleaded. “I don’t want to talk about him, okay?”
Kat’s eyes widened, and she nodded, raising her hands in a placating gesture.
“Okay! Okay! I’m sorry. I’ll drop it. I just got…excited for you.”
“I get it. I don’t date often.” Or ever, more like. “I want to keep this private right now.”
“Message received,” her friend said, giving a mock salute.
“What message is received?” the voice of Miles Bryant asked from his office doorway.
Alex flinched when she heard him. She hadn’t realized he was done with his meeting. Glancing over at him, he had a slight smile, which relieved some of her anxiety.
“Girl stuff, boss,” Kat said. “Unless you need me, I’ll get back to work.”
Before Miles could say another word, Kat slunk away. Alex had to hand it to her friend. She kept her word. That didn’t mean Jack wouldn’t end up knowing. He was uncanny at getting information, and she wouldn’t blame Kat if her secret got out.
“That was…odd,” Miles said.
“Kat’s quirky,” Alex said with a shrug. “Sorry. I didn’t notice your meeting was over. I’m sure you needed me, and I’m sitting gossiping.”
Miles shook his head and smiled.
“Everyone needs a break, and I’m pretty sure you were discussing work before it devolved into ‘girl stuff.’” He made air quotes and laughed.
Alex blushed. She wondered what Miles would think if he knew she had a crush. He knew why she didn’t date. If it were anyone but Nathan, she’d be so happy to tell him and get his advice. However, she was playing a dangerous game. Miles couldn’t know—not until Nathan’s mission was complete.
Miles glanced at his watch. “How about you take the rest of the day off? I need you here tomorrow to support me with the device rollout.”
“Sure.”
Then, Alex realized she had to confront Miles about the extra security at her house. She wanted to ignore the situation, but Nathan needed unencumbered access to her house.
“So, Miles…” she began, dropping the office formality.
“Yes?” he asked, frowning and taking a step forward. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes. No. Maybe.” Alex could smack herself upside the head. This whole thing with Nathan was throwing her off her game. “I, uh, wanted to talk to you about the detail you have on me.”
Miles’ face went blank. Then, he looked sheepish, like a kid caught stealing candy.
“How did you find out?” he asked. “The men I put on you were supposed to be discreet.”
“I have my ways.”
Yeah, like having an elite super soldier, she thought.
“I see. And judging by your expression, you are not happy with this?”
“No. There’s no need, and I don’t like that I’m being watched without my knowledge. It’s…creepy. You know how I am. This should have been something we discussed.”
He looked guiltily at the floor.
“You would have said no.”
“You’re right.”
“I needed to know you were all right. I almost lost you, and it would have been my fault. I…” He trailed off.
She could see the pain in his eyes. There was also a touch of gray beginning at his temples, which she had noticed a few weeks ago in his dark brown hair.
He was one of those men who hadn’t grayed yet, despite being in his early fifties.
Well, it looked like the job was finally catching up to him.
She wished she hadn’t added to that stress.
“I know,” she reassured him. “But I need to have some control too. If I start to feel uneasy, I’ll let you know, okay?”
It was a peace offering, even though she would never say otherwise with Nathan at the house. However, it would make him feel better. He needed that right now.
“Okay. I can work with that,” he said, glancing at his watch. “Go. Get out of here. Report at nine.”
Alex grinned.
“You’re letting me sleep in.”
Miles shook his head. She got to the office at the latest at eight. Usually, it was seven when Miles arrived.
“Ha. Ha,” he laughed sarcastically. “I do appreciate you coming in, though. I’ll make sure you get—”
Alex held up her hand.
“I swear, Miles, if you get me one more pair of shoes, I will lose it. You don’t have to keep doing that.”
“But you should be rewarded—”
“You give me bonuses, too,” she reminded him.
“True. How about furniture? Do you need anything for your new house?”
Alex bit her lip. Yes, she did, but she wasn’t going to tell Miles.
“Don’t you have a formal dining room?” Before she could respond, he continued, “I bet you don’t have anything in there.
You either pick something out this weekend, or something will show up on your doorstep.
” With that, he spun on his heels, ducked back into his office, and called out, “Good day, Ms. Thorn.”
Alex breathed a deep sigh as Miles shut the door.
She finished a few last-minute emails and then shut down her computer.
Once she had grabbed her purse, she realized she hadn’t looked at Nathan’s text message.
Dealing with Kat and Miles had made her forget about it. What if it was something important?
She took the phone off her desk and studied the message.
Blue Eyes: I had to leave for an emergency mission in another state. New intel. Sorry about the short notice. I’ll be back tomorrow. Check in with you along the way. Promise.
Alex shook her head, feeling disappointed. She had been happy when Nathan stayed with her last night in the house. It seemed weird at first. She never had a man stay with her before, but she felt safe with Nathan down the hall and had slept well that night. Now, she’d go home to an empty house.
Oh, well.
That wasn’t anything new. She tried to cover up the fear and emptiness with work.
Any free time was spent organizing, working out, or hanging out with her friends.
She wasn’t sure what she could do now while she was waiting for Nathan to come back, but the prospect of an empty house seemed lonelier than ever.