Another shooting. Alice rolled her eyes when the reporter’s words from the television caught her ears. It’s been a week since her little truce with the Russians and it had been total chaos ever since. To civilians it was just a meager gang war between the police and mobs but it was deeper than that. They were doing this to shake up the Syndicate, especially since Jonathan and the others were in lock up for now. It was reckless. And a bit messy for her liking. Alice turned to Bonnie who was on the couch aka her bed, tuned in to the report. "I thought they were doing this discreetly." "Have you seen Klade's squad, there's nothing discreet about them. If it were me, I'd lay low now that agents are dropping at every turn. The CIA isn't going to let that slide." She knew one person who wouldn't let it slide, she already knew he was investigating the Syndicating and if he got that far, he would pick up on this from a mile away. The fire in his eyes from the time he served was still there
Callum~The Universe had a wicked sense of humor. Yeah, that was it. Because he couldn't be so unlucky all by himself. The only two women he fell for in his life walked out on him. Now he was daydreaming about one of them coming back."Cal." Then he realized it wasn’t an optical illusion. Her voice snapped him back to reality."Alice?”Her features grimmed a little. “My name is actually Alyssa, Alyssa Stone.”Perfect, something else he’s just finding out. Alice, Alyssa, they weren't far off. Were there any more secrets? Knowing how many of her walls he chipped away since they met, there had to be more. This woman was an enigma wrapped in a riddle. She ambled closer to him. “I’m sorry I left, I just-"“I know, you don’t have to say it.” He stopped her from going any further. The days that blew by gave him some time to think. He knew exactly why Alice left. All her life, she sheltered herself from men, not wanting anything to do with them, only the parts not involving the heart. That's
When Alice offered to go with Callum to some bar it was only because he knew he’d regret not seeing his friends before they left. She didn't expect to have fun but as it turned out, they were pretty decent guys and a lot of fun, she could see why they were Callum’s friends. All of them were alike.The bar they chose was a good joint too. It was large enough to fit two pool tables and an extended island, and it wasn't packed enough for her to feel as if she couldn’t breathe. The people seemed friendly and for the most part, minded their business. All of her life she had been on her guard, looking out for anyone and everyone because enemies were everywhere. Now she had the chance to live without looking over her shoulder. It didn't seem like she was leaving the place anytime soon. Right now the men were still shooting darts next to the booth. For the most part, she just watched them egg each other on like they’d probably would’ve at camp. Callum looked like he was really enjoying himse
Callum~He flew up in a panic, fear stabbed at his heart in an unusual tempo. The spot beside him was empty. Alice was supposed to be there. Did she run away again? He fell flat down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Why was he surprised? He knew it was a matter of time before she disappeared again, he just didn't know it was going to be so soon. This time might be for good.Clink!Callum sat up quickly from his position on the bed, he could have sworn he heard a-Clink! Clink! The rattling of metals echoed from the direction of the living. So he wasn't hearing things. Callum got up and crept to where the noise was, the more likely person to be there with him was Alice. One of his guns wasn’t far away from he was though, just in case it wasn’t her. He slowly rounded the bend, only to find Alice in front of the stove, bouncing on her heels as she stirred something in a pot.She looked exuberating. It all seemed a little surreal to be honest, seeing her like that. She was concentrating
Is this what happiness feels like? It was more like a dream.That warmth in the pith of her stomach? The light hum that her body had mixed with a fixed scent of butter. The expensive one they used at night for dinner. She thought that she'd have to die to see a life like this. Where she wanted a man as much as he wanted her. Maybe even more. What was it about this man that touched her? It couldn't be anything bad when it felt so great. There was something to be said about happiness like this. It's only a prelude of something horrible. There was a constant threat over their heads. If the syndicate didn't ruin it, the truth about her would. But that bridge would have to take care of itself, that's if they ever get to it.The past two days she was stuck in a time loop, one mixed with Callum’s expensive looking dishes, lattes with vodka, mind blowing sex and him bailing out in the middle of the day to meet with his partner. She shut down the laptop and plopped face down on Callum's tabl
Callum rolled out of bed a little past midnight, heading straight for the kitchen. The climate was good, but he wished it came with a little humidity. He woke up nights on end feeling parched. This was one of them. He popped open a bottle of water and took a gulp. Savoring another refreshing mouth full, he glanced idly around the dim room. That's when he noticed the light coming from upstairs.What the fuck? He didn't remember leaving the light on. Was someone up there?The bottle slid from his hand as he dashed up the steps as quickly as his legs would take him. He checked out the gym and the spare room. Everything was exactly the way he left them, saved for the light illuminating it. He hurried back down the stairs, going straight for his room. The only movement in there was Alice, still sound asleep. He made sure to lock the door before darting back and forth the entire span of the house. There wasn't anyone in sight. Whoever it was might be long gone.He had a bad feeling about t
It was six oclock, Callum just left for the office after he rolled out of bed. Something told her that she wasn’t going to see him anytime soon. At least not until he got to the bottom of whoever left that letter. He was scared for her, she could feel it. And that note was the extra pinch of motivation she needed. As soon as Callum left she called Bonnie to get ready. The day was black, almost ashy. Nothing short of a prelude of what’s to come. Callum was in more danger than she thought. Someone was brazen enough to reach his doorstep. The good thing was, they didn't know she was there, so the element of surprise was still on her side. Because this had to end today, the syndicate has to leave both of their lives, for good. She got to the clearing not too far from the city where Bonnie asked to meet. Was propped on the side of her car, gushing smoke like a lit chimney. Alice popped the trunk of her car open, loading up the guns she’d need. "It's about time. Where have you been?" Bonn
Callum~The day flashed by in a daze. And it mostly consisted of him being bombarded by James with questions. Well, they were sort of like demands, rather than questions. Like why wasn't he answering his phone and what the hell was he doing there. Today was the first meeting the syndicate would have for a while, Thomas, with a little back up would just simply sit and listen in from afar. Medium contact. So he didn't have to be there. But how do you tell your best friend the murderers you have been investigating wanted to murder you, without ticking him off?Luckily James let that go. And he was currently digging through his draw, making noncommittal noises that Callum wished he could't hear."Thank fuck. I thought I tossed it." He breathed out, blowing off something in his hand. Then hurled it to Callum. He caught it between his fingers smoothly."What's this?" He asked, examining the floppy disk he now had."Your Bureau buddies took their sweet time with the time so I had to make my
Her nerves of steel couldn’t prepare her for this moment. Her feet were blistered, her hands were numb from the cold and the only person she wanted warmth from was sitting across from her with a look in his eyes that could freeze hell over.It had been almost an hour since they got back to the safe house and ever since then, he had been sitting across from her, frozen, despite the incessant ringing of his phone in his pocket. It had to be one of his CIA buddies, angry, or concerned. More likely concerned since he did disappear in the middle of an operation. But she could bet that was the last thing on his mind.Callum frowned, bringing his hands to his chin and his eyes to the matted floor. A million things could be going through his head right now, but she kept silent, there was nothing she could say to help the situation. Nothing that could change it from how bad it really was. She clutch herself tightly as a nauseating pain hammered through her stomach. Callum really did a number
Alice couldn't keep her hands still, not when she kicked in the door to Walsh Hanson’s, nor when she mounted the ring and waited. The silence didn’t do her any good either. The stillness in the room only made her shake even more.Was callum going to come, it had been a few minutes and nothing. Did he think this was a set-up? He must have had a million questions for her, for himself.Just then the door swung open, Callum stepped in, jacket buttons undone and eyes wide and feral. He wore a look that she had never seen on anyone before. The room was dark but there was no mistaking the semiautomatic pistol in his hand. He’s cautious, she couldn't blame him.Sirens were blaring from afar, but no one else was in sight. She breathed out a sigh of relief, now for the hard part. She watched as he mounted the steps towards her, his eyes never leaving hers. "I thought you weren't going to come." She started."I almost didn't. What the fuck is going on? Alyssa, can I call you that, or was that Al
Callum~The day flashed by in a daze. And it mostly consisted of him being bombarded by James with questions. Well, they were sort of like demands, rather than questions. Like why wasn't he answering his phone and what the hell was he doing there. Today was the first meeting the syndicate would have for a while, Thomas, with a little back up would just simply sit and listen in from afar. Medium contact. So he didn't have to be there. But how do you tell your best friend the murderers you have been investigating wanted to murder you, without ticking him off?Luckily James let that go. And he was currently digging through his draw, making noncommittal noises that Callum wished he could't hear."Thank fuck. I thought I tossed it." He breathed out, blowing off something in his hand. Then hurled it to Callum. He caught it between his fingers smoothly."What's this?" He asked, examining the floppy disk he now had."Your Bureau buddies took their sweet time with the time so I had to make my
It was six oclock, Callum just left for the office after he rolled out of bed. Something told her that she wasn’t going to see him anytime soon. At least not until he got to the bottom of whoever left that letter. He was scared for her, she could feel it. And that note was the extra pinch of motivation she needed. As soon as Callum left she called Bonnie to get ready. The day was black, almost ashy. Nothing short of a prelude of what’s to come. Callum was in more danger than she thought. Someone was brazen enough to reach his doorstep. The good thing was, they didn't know she was there, so the element of surprise was still on her side. Because this had to end today, the syndicate has to leave both of their lives, for good. She got to the clearing not too far from the city where Bonnie asked to meet. Was propped on the side of her car, gushing smoke like a lit chimney. Alice popped the trunk of her car open, loading up the guns she’d need. "It's about time. Where have you been?" Bonn
Callum rolled out of bed a little past midnight, heading straight for the kitchen. The climate was good, but he wished it came with a little humidity. He woke up nights on end feeling parched. This was one of them. He popped open a bottle of water and took a gulp. Savoring another refreshing mouth full, he glanced idly around the dim room. That's when he noticed the light coming from upstairs.What the fuck? He didn't remember leaving the light on. Was someone up there?The bottle slid from his hand as he dashed up the steps as quickly as his legs would take him. He checked out the gym and the spare room. Everything was exactly the way he left them, saved for the light illuminating it. He hurried back down the stairs, going straight for his room. The only movement in there was Alice, still sound asleep. He made sure to lock the door before darting back and forth the entire span of the house. There wasn't anyone in sight. Whoever it was might be long gone.He had a bad feeling about t
Is this what happiness feels like? It was more like a dream.That warmth in the pith of her stomach? The light hum that her body had mixed with a fixed scent of butter. The expensive one they used at night for dinner. She thought that she'd have to die to see a life like this. Where she wanted a man as much as he wanted her. Maybe even more. What was it about this man that touched her? It couldn't be anything bad when it felt so great. There was something to be said about happiness like this. It's only a prelude of something horrible. There was a constant threat over their heads. If the syndicate didn't ruin it, the truth about her would. But that bridge would have to take care of itself, that's if they ever get to it.The past two days she was stuck in a time loop, one mixed with Callum’s expensive looking dishes, lattes with vodka, mind blowing sex and him bailing out in the middle of the day to meet with his partner. She shut down the laptop and plopped face down on Callum's tabl
Callum~He flew up in a panic, fear stabbed at his heart in an unusual tempo. The spot beside him was empty. Alice was supposed to be there. Did she run away again? He fell flat down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Why was he surprised? He knew it was a matter of time before she disappeared again, he just didn't know it was going to be so soon. This time might be for good.Clink!Callum sat up quickly from his position on the bed, he could have sworn he heard a-Clink! Clink! The rattling of metals echoed from the direction of the living. So he wasn't hearing things. Callum got up and crept to where the noise was, the more likely person to be there with him was Alice. One of his guns wasn’t far away from he was though, just in case it wasn’t her. He slowly rounded the bend, only to find Alice in front of the stove, bouncing on her heels as she stirred something in a pot.She looked exuberating. It all seemed a little surreal to be honest, seeing her like that. She was concentrating
When Alice offered to go with Callum to some bar it was only because he knew he’d regret not seeing his friends before they left. She didn't expect to have fun but as it turned out, they were pretty decent guys and a lot of fun, she could see why they were Callum’s friends. All of them were alike.The bar they chose was a good joint too. It was large enough to fit two pool tables and an extended island, and it wasn't packed enough for her to feel as if she couldn’t breathe. The people seemed friendly and for the most part, minded their business. All of her life she had been on her guard, looking out for anyone and everyone because enemies were everywhere. Now she had the chance to live without looking over her shoulder. It didn't seem like she was leaving the place anytime soon. Right now the men were still shooting darts next to the booth. For the most part, she just watched them egg each other on like they’d probably would’ve at camp. Callum looked like he was really enjoying himse
Callum~The Universe had a wicked sense of humor. Yeah, that was it. Because he couldn't be so unlucky all by himself. The only two women he fell for in his life walked out on him. Now he was daydreaming about one of them coming back."Cal." Then he realized it wasn’t an optical illusion. Her voice snapped him back to reality."Alice?”Her features grimmed a little. “My name is actually Alyssa, Alyssa Stone.”Perfect, something else he’s just finding out. Alice, Alyssa, they weren't far off. Were there any more secrets? Knowing how many of her walls he chipped away since they met, there had to be more. This woman was an enigma wrapped in a riddle. She ambled closer to him. “I’m sorry I left, I just-"“I know, you don’t have to say it.” He stopped her from going any further. The days that blew by gave him some time to think. He knew exactly why Alice left. All her life, she sheltered herself from men, not wanting anything to do with them, only the parts not involving the heart. That's