MAYA
The ringing of the phone brings me out of my restless sleep. I reach for it, feeling the lack of sleep catching up with me. I'm off tonight, so I'll take a pill and get some rest.
"Hello." In my heart I'm hoping it's Duncan, but that was not the ringtone I set for him, maybe he's using another phone. Things have been strained between us the last month since I left him on a sidewalk in New York looking like a fool. He wants to tell everyone, but I'm not ready. I don't want to lose him.
"Maya, sweetheart, I haven't heard from you since August. What've you been up to? Are you seeing someone? Answer me, child." The frantic voice comes across the line. No hello, nothing.
"Uncle Marcus, slow down and I'll answer you. I've been working. Lots of extra training with the ERT."
"Are you seeing someone?" he asks angrily.
"Why?”
"That's not a no, sweetheart. No man is good enough for you."
"Uncle Marcus, what do ya want?" I don't want to lie to him, but I’m the one who made Duncan keep our relationship quiet.
"I want you to go on a date with my nephew, Lawrence."
"I thought you said no man was good enough for me. Besides, I can't." I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling, smiling at my phone. This is new for him, usually he doesn't want me to date anyone. He doesn't like the time I spend with Derek.
"Lawrence is an exceptional young man. He’ll treat you right."
"Uncle Marcus, I'm not interested." I roll to look at the clock. "I've got to get going, I have training I need to attend. Take care. I'll call you soon." I hang up before he can say more, and rush to get ready.
I need to be at Quantico in just over two hours for another training session Greg has lined up for me. Greg has been helping me fine-tune my skills in several areas. Derek will meet me at Quantico so we can go through this training together.
I love going to Quantico and seeing all the training and soldiers in the area. I've trained with several of the Marines during marksmanship school. I’ve talked to many of them during and after their deployments. I've learned a lot from them. Some of them have become good friends. I have contacts in so many fields of DC politics. It’s never a bad thingin this city.
Duncan
I dialthe number and hear it ringing. "Hello," the sleepy voice says from the other end.
"Oi, Bossman."
"Why are you calling me at 0300 hours, Duncan?"
"Thought I'd let you know that I'm sick of this job and if I don't kill this little brat, it'll be a miracle."
"Thank you, Duncan, for your patience. Her father is paying us a lot and you're the best." I hear the sarcasm in his voice.
"She's a conniving little snot. She's trying to make her boyfriend jealous by using me. I'm seeing someone and she would not understand."
"Wait, what do you mean you're seeing someone? You never told me. Which French model is it now? Or is this the woman you searched in DC?"
"I told you she is a friend of my sister’s and since I was in town I thought I would say hello. I can't tell you my girl's name. We're keeping our relationship quiet for a bit longer. She's not a model. I need the Christmas holiday off so I can spend some time with her."
"Fine, but finish this job. Be careful, brother."
"I'll try."
I hang up and open a text screen. I need to hear her voice but know she's probably sleeping, it's her night off.
Me
Hello, baby.
Maya
