Page 69 of Ache
Listen to me, being all mature and shit.
“True.” She goes back to hiding under the covers.
Alec and I exchange a look.What are we going to do with this girl?
“Since we are going to spend one more night, why don’t Tage and I go get some more coffee, and you take a shower? We can head down to the Riverwalk for lunch, and then hole up in here for dinner. How does that sound?” Alec peeks under the edge of the comforter.
“Caffeine?” Everly chirps. He knows just how to get to her. She spies him with one, interested eye.
“Extra large, extra sweet. I’m sure there is a fantastic coffee shop close.”
“I’m in.”
That didn’t take much. I make a note for the future. Bribe Everly with caffeine.
“Good. Get all pretty for us while we’re gone.”
“I can do that,” she flirts.
“I know.” Alec leans down to kiss her, and she sits up, meeting him halfway. I know this should be weird, watching your girlfriend kiss another man, but strangely, it’s not. It’s normal. Our normal. Everly is happy with both of us, and I’m not going to be the one who rocks the boat. I’m in it for as long as she is. As long as fate will allow.
Leaving Everly to her own devices, Alec and I ride the elevator down to the lobby. We have come to coexist on a strange new level. A mutual respect has formed, and a common interest threads us together. We’re direly opposite, that’s for sure, but he’s no bum. He’s no pushover, and he’s no pussy. I don’t exactly know how this relationship is going to work moving forward. I’m going to need to change a lot of things in my life. Putting down roots, for starters. Working for Endeavor has me living a nomadic life, running off to all parts of the world at a moment’s notice when activated. Sometimes those missions can last months at a time.
I have to find a common ground. I know there are operatives who do it. Who have a personal life and a dangerous professional one. My handler in New York is a prime example. CJ is married, has a child, and still manages to be the solid contact I need him to be. Maybe that’s the route I should take? Transfer roles from field operative to handler? I’d still be part of the action, just not as much and from a much safer distance. I decide to speak to CJ when we get back to New York. It’ll be easy to set up a face to face in the city.
“Hey, man. Thanks for that back there.” Alec watches the floors tick down.
“For what?” My internal thought process dissolves.
“For helping me out with Everly. That would have sucked if she went all jealous girlfriend.”
“No problem. Gotta have each other’s back to keep the peace, right?” I respond lightly.
Alec glances over at me and smirks. “Yeah, we do.”
I hold up my fist for a bump. Alec doesn't leave me hanging.
And just like that, another layer is added to our unusual and complicated relationship.
We follow the directions on Alec’s GPS to the fancy schmancy coffee shop he found. He says Ever will flip over their crème brûlée latte.
To me, coffee is coffee. But if I’m honest, I like that he knows what she likes and goes out of his way to make her happy. Everly deserves happy above everything else.
The warm Chicago air is comfortable with a slight breeze coming off the water as we walk back to the hotel. I’m glad Alec talked Everly into leaving the hotel room. I think the nice day and lively atmosphere will do her some good.
As we wait for the elevator, my phone rings. I check the screen, and it’s a private number. I answer immediately.
“Hello?”
“I ran through those financials you asked about,” Simon gets right down to business. No hello, no good morning. He’s not the social type. But he is a brilliant hacker, so his lack of manners is overlooked. By everyone. He’s the star of Endeavor, really. The heart. If you need info, you go straight to him.
“And?” I sip my coffee nonchalantly as we enter the elevator.
“Nothing. No unusual activity or payments. The accounts have been dead for years.”
“Fuck, okay.” Dead end on Gunner’s financial activity front.
“I did find one thing that was interesting, though.”
