6 Disturbed

We found our culprit in a mall. We separated and were keeping an eye on him, changing the followers again and again not to arouse suspicion. Me, Edward, Mike and Alex, Maddy and Brad; four teams following him at random.

I was following him when I saw him picking up his phone. So, his phone was on vibrate. I passed him and heard him say, "No not there. At my usual hangout." He got on the escalator to get down and I was behind him. That's when I saw Rach and Phoebe down there and they saw me. They waved at me with a smile and headed towards me.

"Everyone Rach and Pheobe here. Anyone copy?"

"I copy" I heard from Edward, Mike and Alex.

"Ed, come down now." I ordered.

Rach and Phoebe were standing right in front of me now.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked.

"We told you, we were coming here. I asked you to come but you refused, remember?" Rach said sounding confused.

Of course, she was. That must have been the humanoid. An explanation. Think Jess, think.

"Edward's aunt lives here. She got sick so he was coming here to visit her. I thought why not come and give you two a surprise."

"That's so sweet of you, Jess." Phoebe said chirpily.

Edward came right then, "Oh, that's not fair. You ruined our surprise Rach. We thought we'd surprise you two."

I motioned Ed to take them away. " I found a really good place to eat. I'll show you." Both Rach and Phoebe followed him.

"No one else is to be seen. I repeat, no one else is to be seen. Mike, you follow the baldie."

"Got it."

I went in the direction Edward took Rach and Phoebe. We ordered some food and some wine. We were having lunch together when I saw Alex heading towards us. She hastily came in and stood in front of them. I can't believe she disobeyed. I was so angry right now.

"Alex!" Rach and Phoebe exclaimed.

"Yeah she came with us too." I tried to get hold of the situation.

"We are spies and we're here for a mission." Alex said.

How could she do this? I would have shot her right there if she wasn't a friend.

Rach and Phoebe stood up and left without a word.

"Mike, where is he?" I asked.

"Near the liquor store, first floor."

"I'll be there in a minute. You come at the chinese restaurant and take Alex back."

***********

"What were you thinking?" I couldn't help but scream at Alex. She stood there without saying a word. I was growing restless now.

"I'm asking something."

"They are my friends. And your original plan had Rachel with us too anyway." she said.

"They are my friends too but getting their lives in danger is not something friends do." I yelled.

She looked terrified as she has never seen me get mad. But this still doesn't get her off the hook. I don't care if she cries right now, I'm so mad at her.

Edward came near and held my hand, "That's enough, Jess." he said softly. I looked up at him and he was filled with pity as Alex broke into sobs. I retreated and went in my room.

"I thought I was right to do that. She wanted Rach with us not Brad. I have no idea why she is that angry." I heard Alex from outside.

"And I have no idea why she hasn't shot you yet." Mike said with sarcasm

and I heard his room door shut.

I went in the bathroom and took a shower. A shower always helps to calm you down. I really need it right now. I had my bathrobe on and came out to see Edward sitting on the bed. He kept on staring at me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"That's what I want to ask. What is it? You are the one who painted that fake sweet Jess in their minds. And now you suddenly turned into a poison spouting witch. And then you even expect them to accept it easily." he somehow managed to keep his voice low. He seemed mad at me.

"I just want her to act mature. Did you not see what she did today? You were right there and yet you came here to try and make me understand."

"She is not the one who asked to join you. You are the one who wanted her to join."

I know I wanted them with me, but that still doesn't give her a reason to be so reckless. I can't believe he is taking her side on this. Being very well aware of the risks he should be supporting me not defending her.

"Jess, you knew it would be difficult training a team. And yet you were ready to face it. This is just your first obstacle you can't freak out." he said and stood up. He came close and locked his gaze on me.

"I'm not freaking out. I am just shocked at how stupid can a person be." I sternly protested.

"Jess I have no idea how but I know you can handle this."

He said that and left the room. I thought about it. Maybe he was right, I should try to handle it. What's done is done, I should get a handle on things. I stepped outside and saw lights were still on in Alex's room. I was glad she hadn't slept yet. I could talk to her right now.

I stepped closer to the door and heard Ed's voice. What is he doing in her room that late at night. It sounded like an argument.

"That's how Jess is." Edward said.

"How do you know?" Alex argued.

They're talking about me? What can it be? I wonder. I hope he isn't creating a rift in my team. I had started to trust him a little now. I don't want to let go of him. Stop Jess, don't jump to conclusions.

"I just do. Do you have any idea what could have happened if it got out? Everyone's life is at risk here. If they know we could all die. She's not at fault here."

At that Alex fell silent. But hearing him defend me felt good.

"If someone would have seen us with Rach and Phoebe then they would have become targets too. Jess was absolutely right in her place. Anyone would have reacted the same. She has the responsibility of us all. One mistake and her job will be at stake and our lives too."

"It was my fault. I can't believe I am so stupid. I put my two friend's lives in danger and one's job too. I'm the worst."

I could hear her sobs through the door. Maybe I really did overreact a bit. And I'm glad that Edward really did understand the seriousness of her mistake. I knew that I didn't have any work there anymore. I returned to my room to sleep. I had a smile on the whole time. I was really happy to hear Edward say all that. Of Course, he did deserve a thanks. That will be the first thing to do in the morning. I climbed into the bed and shut my eyes when I heard the door open.

"That was sneaky."

I opened my eyes and saw Edward standing at the door. He came in and closed the door behind him leaving us in complete dark. I switched on the night lamp on the bedside. He was smiling. The low light brought out his curves more. His smile was flirtatiously inviting. His well toned muscles were relaxed and ready to make a move. He came close and sat beside me. A closer veiw was far better than the previous one.

"Did you really think I wouldn't know."

"What brings you here?" I asked resisting the temptation his body offered.

"Nothing much. Just remembered this morning's incident." he said with a smirk.

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of this morning. I had almost forgotten the embarrassment I brought upon myself. The crying and sobbing and don't leave me crap was sort of shameful.

"What about it?" I asked maintaining my composure.

He came closer and leaned forward, my heart began to race but I was still not showing it. As the distance between us decreased my fear of loosing myself increased. He stopped with his face right next to mine. My brain had stopped all its functions and started chanting 'too close' repeatedly.

"I meant what I said back then." he said and the seriousness of it was visible in his eyes that were just too close.

"About not leaving and about not sharing too."

Before he could close the distance I pushed him back.

"Let's talk about the important things first." His eyes that were full of warmth a moment ago were back to their original expressionless state again.

"What did we get out of today's pursuit?" I asked ignoring his dissapointment.

"He's going to a club day after tomorrow and meeting a new gangster in town. The other guy rose up in last 3 years and is new. Quite dangerous but nothing we can't handle. They are meeting up for some important discussion." he said emphasising on the last two words.

"Our guy doesn't have much security which is quite suspicious. That means he is not the head guy. We are nowhere close to him. Oh and he's left handed to. That's all we got today. So I guess the work is done." With that he leaned forward with his gaze locked in mine.

"What do you want exactly?" I was now frustrated by his repeated attempts.

"Was I not clear enough? I did say you're all mine, didn't I?"

"Enough" I yelled. He was shocked at my reaction. "Go back to your room now." He stood up without a word and left without resistance.

As he left I locked the door behind him and cried till there were no more tears left in my eyes. For the first time I wished I wasn't a spy. I wish I was a normal girl, be carefree and spend some time with him. Like a normal guy and a girl. I didn't even realise when I fell asleep in the midst of all that crying.

************

I woke up with a ruckus outside my room. I went out and found everyone surrounding Maddy and Brad.

"What's going on?" I asked as no one noticed me.

"Me and Brad got committed." Maddy chirped shyly.

I couldn't hide my surprise. So that's where they were yesterday.

"Congrats guys!" I said, "But don't let this be a hindrance in work."

They both nodded and I looked at Alex and sensed her discomfort.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I'm sorry for yesterday. I just thought it would be" and she trailed off.

"What's done is done. We should concentrate on our next move."

I shifted my gaze to all of them, "Back to work guys."

They all nodded and gathered around the table.

"Tomorrow baldy will meet a gangster at this pub." I took out a brochure and placed it on the table. They all took a look at it and waited for me to continue.

"Brad and Alex go in as costumers, me and Maddy will be waitresses. I have a friend as a bartender in that club and Mike'll substitute him for now and Ed will be another costumer. Keep your eyes and ears open. We don't make a move, we gather all the info we can and we get out." They all nodded in agreement.

"And girls, he's a regular costumer. Please get noticed." I said as I smiled slyly.

***********

I stepped back as I placed the ordered drinks on the table and waited. The baldy tipped me 10$ and told me to go away, I smiled and left. I kept on serving the tables around them and so did Maddy. I talked to her at the bar and she told me she heard them talk about a deal. The gangster is asking for weapons being sold to him only. Baldy refused and said it was his business and that the gangster is just a new guy. I told her I heard him threaten the baldy. And then he said he could not do that as he was the only supplier in the area. I heard baldy say he had to ask someone, Charles. So he wasn't the one we were looking for, instead someone who would lead us to him.

"Choose one, Maddy."

"I don't like bald people, but the gangster is an old man. I guess baldy it is."

"Fine. Next time I get to chose first."

She laughed and went to baldy. She whispered something in his ears and he stood up and left. I waited a few minutes and then went up to the gangster who was in his mid fifties.

"Your friend payed for your service."

"What service?" he asked sternly.

"Said that it's a gift for the new friendship." I smiled and placed my hand coyly on his shoulder. He smiled back and stood up. I took him to a private seating and closed the curtains. He removed his coat and sat on the couch. I sat on his lap facing him and felt a gun on his waist.

"What's that?" I asked and pulled it out. I gasped in amazement and chirpily asked, "Is this real?".

"Yeah it is." With that he held my waist and pulled me closer. His mouth was on my cleavage hungrily clawing my breasts. His hand ran up up my skirt when I moaned and leaned in to and licked his ear seductively. I slightly bit his earlobe when he pulled my waist closer. I could feel his excitement touching my thigh. I pushed him back and put the gun on his head.

"Do as I say or I shoot." I said seductively as I touched his thigh. He nodded with excitedly.

"Eyes closed." And he did so.

I happily pulled the trigger. And his body lied on the couch. I left a note saying 'This one's for you. (Heart) Baldy' and a kiss mark on the corner.

I got rid of the gun and came out to see him searching here and there. He looked baffled at the sudden disappearance of his companion. I saw Maddy waiting at the bar. I headed towards her when he grabbed my hand.

"Did you see the guy who was sitting here with me?"

"He went in that booth with a waitress." I pointed at the booth.

He went in there and I went to Maddy.

"What did you say to him?"

"The old phone call trick" she smiled, "And then Mike, the phone guy, warned him that the gangster plans to kill him."

We both laughed and then baldy came out of the booth.

"Who was the waitress that took him?" he asked me.

"I don't know sir. She looked new."

He looked frustrated and held me up. I started to cry for help when Mike and Ed came to help. Brad supported them from behind and then so did the other costumers and a ruckus was created. The manager came out and asked him to calm down. He left me and stomped out of the pub.