Chief gave us a mock mission with only sixty minutes to complete. There were five parts to the mission, each highlighting one of our specialties.
After forming a plan of attack, we executed the mission in fifty-six minutes. Our reward was pizza delivery from our favorite mom-and-pop pizza place down the street. As we waited for our food, Badger and I went to the ring to spar.
“Spill,” Badger said as she bounced on her toes. “What’s bothering you?”
I rolled my neck and shoulders, releasing the tension. “Just this undercover job. I haven’t been able to intercept the information I wanted to by this point,” I said as I did a two-jab-cross combination.
Badger deflected my hit, coming back at me with a three-two combo.
“These things take time, Evie. You need to give it time.” She threw another combo.
I ducked her punch before sighing. “He informed me today that I am going to the DEFCON with him on Tuesday.” I bounced on my toes.
Badger stopped moving. “So, you’re upset that you have to go on a work trip with your super-sexy boss?”
I stopped moving and sat on the padded floor. “Ugh, yes, because he’s a royal pain in my ass.”
“Hey! Why did you stop? We were enjoying the show!” Buddha’s voice echoed, stopping our conversation. I moved over my gaze to see both Buddha and Aaron were smiling.
“Food is here! Get it while it's hot!” Chief yelled as he walked behind the boys to the conference room. I walked over to Aaron and pressed a palm to his chest before whispering, “Don’t worry. I’ll give you your own show later.”
Aaron sent me a wink before following me into the room with the rest of the team.
I knew I was being dramatic about Kade, but I couldn’t shake this feeling that everything would change after the conference.
FOURTEEN
EVELYN
The next few days passed in a flash. Thankfully, I’d gotten some of my frustration out on Aaron before the conference. I’d debriefed the team on the intel I had found thus far at RSS, including the last-minute conference I was to attend across the country.
“Are you sure you’re okay with staying with Alfredo?” I asked as I grabbed my black trench coat.
Aaron cupped my face. “E, you’ve already asked me this seventeen times. Take a deep breath.”
I did as he suggested. “I’ll keep as updated as I can.” I was beyond grateful for him. He knew me better then I knew myself at times. Although our friendship was far from conventional, I was honored to have him by my side.
Aaron kissed my forehead,the gesture more intimate than I was willing to think about.
“You are going to your dream conference. Take it all in.” His blue eyes pierced into mine as a smirk crossed his face. “Enjoy hanging out with your nerdy brainiac kind.”
I playfully pushed his chest. “The morenerdy they are, the kinkier they are. Maybe I’ll find myself a sex slave,” I teased.
“As long as I get pictures and videos, I don’t care,” he teased back.
“Oh and you think you are worthy of pictures and videos?” I chided.
Arrow gave me another smirk. “Oh, E-baby, I know I am.” He pressed a kiss to my lips and lingered. The heat of his touch ignited a carnal need inside of me that was dying to come out.
Groaning against his lips, I took a step back. The evidence of the effect I had on him was evident in his grey sweatpants.
“Have fun,” Arrow said, adjusting himself. “I’ll try not to eat all your marshmallows.”
“You leave my marshmallows alone,” I huffed, pointing at him.
He simply shrugged. “If they happen to go missing, I blame Alfredo.”
Rolling my eyes, I hauled my backpack onto my shoulders and rolled my suitcase behind me. As I got to the front door, I kissed a sleeping Alfredo and waved goodbye.
