Chapter 12: On guard

"This guy, Darrell Mandla, informed us that the gang he worked for is Violet Hellions. A small gang that keeps their name out of the media. He said they are located in Jeffrey's Bay, a small town known best for the waves that surfers enjoy. The leader is unknown, but he was given a list of names to take out, which he hid rolled up in a pen." Accelerate went on and a picture of a pen popped up on the screen of the T.V. It was a BiC velocity ballpoint pen, colour black.

"Your mission is to retrieve this pen," Empress stated. "We need to first protect everyone on that list before other agents and their families are targeted. Darrell is not the only member given the list, but the gang took away the pen when D.T.A. moved in. They decided to protect this list instead of their agent."

"This is the layout of the building where the pen is located." Accelerate added. "The gang uses the Bingo Royale casino as their headquarters. Peanut will determine our best entry and exit points. We will move in on the 23rd of July, which will give us a week or so to plan. That night there will be a charity event for V.I.P. members of the casino. I will add Nemis and Tart to the system, and both of you will receive invites. Taine and Peanut will be inside as employees, don't worry, Taine, I'll give you an I.D."

We discussed a few other details, and my mom came in to offer us dinner. I didn't realise it was so late already. Empress agreed, and we all sat in the dining room with the rest of the children. Everyone in the team ate in silence while the children around us were chaotic; it was kind of awkward. My mom noticed I was off with her, but she didn't ask why.

We then packed our luggage into the boot of an S.U.V. and climbed in. Nemis sat in front while Accelerate was behind the wheel, so I was in the back with the girls. In between the two of them.

"Ready?" Accelerate asked, and I nodded.

"Can I play my playlist?" Peanut begged and put her hand on my leg to lean forward. It didn't bother me, plus she was into women.

"No, I'm driving, so I choose music. Sorry, Peanut." Accelerate stated.

"Don't knock my seat, Peanut. I'm going to rest my eyes." Nemis added. Tart shrugged and focused her attention on her phone.

"Shiv, isn't it crazy we are on another mission together?" Peanut smiled.

"I guess."

"How'd it go with that target from your previous mission?"

"It was a success," I stated. Right… Jane. "I'm also gonna take a nap," I added before Peanut could ask me any more questions. Peanut started playing a game on her phone, and I noticed Tart was reading. I closed my eyes and listened to the music Accelerate played; it was a good playlist. He drove pretty fast, but I always like speed. I shifted my pants because my dick felt like it was being squashed. I tried to fall asleep, but I was aware of every moment, every sound and just the presence of the women next to me made me alert. I was in a car full of strangers. I didn't trust any of them, even Peanut. We all seemed to be cautious. Nemis was still awake, Accelerate kept glancing in the mirror, and at Nemis next to him, Tart held her one hand on a dagger in her pocket while she read, but Peanut seemed at ease. She hummed to the songs and even danced a bit in her seat. She was the weirdest agent I had ever met.

The car was filled with silence, hours went by, and Peanut fell asleep. Her head moved down and rested on my shoulder. I tried to make her lean against the door, but she came right back. Fuck it, might just leave her there. I started scrolling through my phone and found my way into Jane's album on my gallery. It was filled with pictures of her and then some of the two of us together.

I stared at her beautiful smile and noticed how happy she looked, or how she looked at me like I was her entire world. I thought back to when we broke up. She wasn't angry, nor did she look like she hated me. Her eyes were filled with sadness, and she looked at me like I had betrayed her. I did. I promised her the world but instead gave her a broken heart. Now, her eyes would never be fully happy again. Or she would realise I'm just a dick and find someone better. I just hope it wasn't any of those immature boys from school. When I got back … if I got back, I had to make sure no one from Encore would go for Jane.

"You look happy together." Tart stated. I realised she had been looking at my phone while I stared at pictures of Jane.

"Oh, uh … we were." I shrugged and locked my phone.

"What happened?" She asked. "You don't have to give me your life story."

"Being an agent got in the way, so I realised she deserved better."

"That's a significantly grown-up decision to make. Did you love her?"

"I think I did."

"D.T.A. isn't a place where love is found. To this day, I don't even know what love it." Tart sighed.

"Complete trust," Nemis responded. "When you without any doubts trust that a person will be there for you no matter what."

"I guess that is true." Tart nodded. Urgh, Nemis, stay out of our conversation. "By the way, Shiv. You don't strike me as an agent of D.T.A."

"He's still too hopeful," Nemis added.

I ignored Nemis and looked at Tart, "That's what makes me perfect for undercover work." I replied.

"That Peanut girl doesn't seem to belong even more than the boy." Accelerate remarked. We all glanced at Peanut, who was still fast asleep.

"She just tried to see the positive in everything. If you ask me, she's surviving better than any of us." I stated.

"Or she'll die first." Nemis chuckled. Fuck, you know hate is a strong word, but I fucking hate Nemis. We fell back into silence, and the car sped on. We arrived early the following day in Jeffery's. An old lady opened up for us and gave us the keys to a safe house. There were 3 bedrooms, so Peanut decided to share with me. I at least knew I could take her; I doubt she even is thinking of killing me, but I had my guard up just in case.

Peanut said goodnight to everyone, but they ignored her and walked off to their separate rooms. Luckily, there were two single beds in the room we shared. I dropped her bag onto her bed and locked the bedroom door.

"Don't you trust them?" Peanut asked and took off her pants.

"Bro, I'm still in the room!" I snapped and quickly looked away.

"Chill. I have undies on. This is how I sleep." She replied and climbed into bed. I noticed she also threw her bra over her bag.

"Privacy is a thing, but no, I don't trust them. Especially Nemis."

"I think the mission is more important than killing a few strangers. Plus, Nemis won't be stupid enough to take revenge on a kid. No offence. Also, I heard you stole his car; well done!"

"I'll keep my gun in my hand just in case," I stated and lay down on the bed.

"Suit yourself. Goodnight." Peanut stated and rolled over so that she had her back to me. I lay awake a bit longer and just listened to Peanut slightly snore. Eventually, sleep consumed me.

I heard movement in the room and shot awake. I pointed my gun in that direction and placed my finger on the trigger.

"Dude, dude. It's just me." Peanut remarked and held her hands up.

"Peanut! I could have shot you." I hissed and lowered the gun.

"I need to pee." She laughed and unlocked the door. I waited until she came back and double-checked if it was locked. I fall asleep again after that. At about 6am I was up and ready for the day. I took a quick shower and rushed back to see if Peanut was still alive. She was. I woke her up at 7am when I heard everyone else start moving around. I forced Peanut to put her pants back on before she walked out of the door, which she gave me trouble about. This girl was going to get herself killed. She went to take a shower, and I watched the bathroom door so that no one followed her in.

"Morning, crew." Tart stated and walked into the dining room. The 2 guys and I were all having coffee. "How long has Peanut been in there?" She whined and poured herself some coffee as well.

"34 minutes." Accelerate replied. Why was he timing her? "I count to keep myself calm." He added.

Eventually, Peanut came out of the bathroom, and Tart went in.

"Urgh, these women take forever to shower," Nemis muttered. "I'm going to join her." He added and got up. I sprung to action and stepped in front of him to block the way.

"Get out of my way, kid." He grunted and stepped closer to me.

"Sit down," I stated and jerked my gun to his head.

"Just listen to the kid, man. Wait till Tart is done showering." Accelerate remarked, and Peanut agreed. Just then, Tart walked out of the bathroom and looked at us all confused. I lowered my gun and stepped away from Nemis.

"I'm just messing with you, Shiv. Damn." Nemis laughed and rammed into my shoulder as he walked past.

This instinct to also protect Tart came over me. I would keep an eye on her just in case Nemis had to try something. The old lady who gave us the keys to the house arrived at 8am and made us breakfast. She was so sweet and said she was paid to take care of us. I wasn't sure if she worked for D.T.A.

"Thank you for breakfast, Granny. Lekker time for a coke, ey?" I asked her in the kitchen.

"Can I pour you some coke, my boy? Ice or not?" She smiled. Nope, she was not D.T.A.

"Yes, sir. No ice, thank you." I smiled back at her and walked over to the others. I informed them that the Granny was not part of D.T.A. She slowly walked over to us and put my coke on the table.

"I'll be back at lunchtime. If you aren't home, I'll let myself in and leave the food in the fridge." Granny remarked and let herself out. She probably thought we were here on holiday. We spent the rest of the day planning the heist. We surveyed the casino, and the others went in to scan the inside security while I waited outside. A few cop cars drove past and greeted me while I sat in the car.

"Hello, officer." I sweetly smiled as the cop walked up to the car.

"Hello. Is everything alright here?" The cop asked and flashed his light into the back window.

"My parents just went inside to bring out my aunty. She has a gambling problem. I'm just sitting in the driver's seat for fun. I don't know how to drive." I explained.

The cop nodded. "Have a good day." He added, then walked away. Why were there so many patrol cars?

I walked around to the back of the building and took note of the cameras and doors. An employee looked at me weirdly while she took out the trash. I waved at her and then walked back to the car.

How difficult would it be to steal a pen?