6. alessia

6

ALESSIA

The whole stuck-in-the-elevator situation and the conversation with my mother's husband about requiring a bodyguard made me livid.

Now, I'm taking a flight with a masked operator who doesn't say much, and when he does, it's sarcasm. He's always playing with a bullet or watching my every move. It'll just be the two of us on a flight, and I'm not looking forward to it.

The rebellious part of me wants to give him a hard time and test his patience because I would really be testing Ravenmore's patience. I can frustrate him through Daegan…

A light bulb turns on in my head, and my lips curve mischievously.

This airplane flight will be fun.

"Your flight is soon. I have orders to drive you there. You're mine starting the day of our plane ride."

I roll my eyes at him.

"I'm yours?" I spit mockingly. "Look, I don't need a babysitter. I'm good. In fact, more than good. I'm not a child. I can defend myself. We get mandatory training. I know how to keep myself safe. I can't believe I'm getting dragged into your guys' mess by getting put on that list." I point to my chest. "So to make these next six months run by more smoothly…" I pause, contemplating if I'm really going to offer him a proposition. "I won't tell him anything." I shrug. "You're free to do whatever the hell you do when we land in Iraq, and I'll be out of your hair. I'm giving you an out, Creature. Take it or...you'll regret it." I arch a brow, daring him to take the bait. I wait for him to give in even though he doesn't look the type. He has to want out of this assignment. I don't know any special operator who enjoys being away from their team.

"Are you giving me an ultimatum? Are you threatening me?"

I nod, smiling ear to ear. We're in the middle of the parking lot. I stopped walking to plead my case and offer him an option...so far, he's not taking the bait. The sunset shines directly in his ice eyes, and a flicker of unknown emotions flashes through them.

"I don't take kindly to threats," his voice is threatening.

I smirk, placing my hands on my hips. I lick my lips, followed by my teeth. He makes it so easy.

"What are you going to do about it? Punish me? Tell my step-dad?" I throw air quotes around, ‘Dad.'

He stiffens, his eyes darkening.

I'm pushing him. I know I am.

He doesn't say anything.

I turn around on my heels, unlocking my car with my keys, and the car responds with two beeps.

He walks me to my Honda Sedan in just a few steps. He picks up his pace, steps in front of me, beats me to the door handle, and opens it for me.

"Thank you," I mumble through a locked jaw. I slide into my car, sitting down in the driver's seat. I reach for the handle to close it, eager to speed my way home from this forsaken building. Away from Ravenmore, who just placed Creature on an unnecessary assignment. Like if I'm a rebellious teenager throwing a tantrum. If he thinks this will win him points with my mother, he's dead wrong. If he thinks this will make up for whatever distress he's caused in their relationship, he's got another thing coming.

"Sorry Valentine. But you're my newest assignment. I never break the rules. I never question the Admiral. I always follow orders, no questions asked. Those orders tell me that Alessia Valentine, age 24, will be mine for six months starting the day of her deployment. Get used to it," He snarls, his eyes flash with anger.

He slams the door on me, and my mouth falls open. I pout the entire time, crossing my arms over my chest. I watch his massive frame stalk away from me. He reaches into his pocket and walks away. Something in the way he moves has me entranced. God, even the way he walks should be illegal. He pulls out a pack of cigarettes, disappearing deeper into the parking lot, and I no longer have sights on him.

I'm seething.

My first deployment shouldn't go like this. I know it's for my safety, but I don't want it to look like I'm getting special treatment. I worked hard to get to the position that I'm in today.

Screw Ravenmore and screw Creature even more because although I can't truly see him, just his eyes have a magnetic effect on me, drawing me in and deterring my anger. The way his eyes say more than his mouth, taunting me to unravel him one layer at a time, like a challenge I can't say no to.

My car engine rumbles on, and Lana Del Rey plays throughout the speakers. I drive out of the parking lot, thinking of all the ways I'm going to annoy Creature.

As I drive home, my phone rings.

Ella Winters pops on the screen, and I quickly tap the green button. She works with me in military intelligence, and we're both on the same orders. I can't wait to tell her what orders Creature fell under. I wonder if she knows about him.

"What's up, Winters?"

"Happy birthday, Alessia!" She exclaims with giddiness. I roll my eyes, and I smile. "I was wondering if you're going to El Devine tonight. Bailey wants to see us before we deploy." She gets straight to the point. Music blasts in the background as she mentions our other best friend, who bartends at the country bar. "A whole bunch of people from work are headed there tonight for one last night of fun before we deploy. What do you say? Pick you up at nine?"

I smile, "Sounds like fun. Count me in. I need a drink after this morning." I shake my head, gripping the steering wheel tighter than usual.

"Oh, no, what happened?" She lowers the music in the background.

I turn onto my street, and seconds later, I'm parking in the driveway. Jack's home, surprisingly. His jeep sits on his side of the driveway. My stomach growls, aching for some food. I skipped breakfast this morning.

"I'll fill you in tonight," I sigh, turning off my car. We say our goodbyes as I pull the keys out of the ignition.

My phone pings, and it's Ravenmore. As promised, Daegan's and Kane's contact information stares back at me. I quickly add them to my contacts and get out.

I walk into my home; the TV is on, and the volume is unnecessarily loud. Jack doesn't acknowledge me. I frown as I make my way toward our bedroom. Jack is on his back on the couch, his legs crossed over. A movie plays across the screen, but his attention is on his phone screen. He types away, and there's a giddy smile on his face. His brown eyes were fixated with joy.

"I'm home," I announce.

"Oh, hey, babe!" He shuts his phone off. Still not acknowledging me, he turns his head to the side towards the TV. "Can you make me lunch? I'm starving."

He doesn't bother asking me about what Ravenmore wanted. I want to tell him everything. I need to tell him.

It's like I'm a ghost in my own home…and lately, I feel like one, too. I feel unseen by my boyfriend.

"Sure thing."

I walk into my bedroom and go straight for the laces on my boots. I sit down on my white bedsheets, but something unfamiliar catches my eye.

In the center of the bed sits a bouquet of flowers. They look just like the ones in my car. Maybe two dozen peonies and one bright pink one in the center.

Unknown: Flowers for the birthday girl.

I drop my phone just as fast as my heart falls to the pit of my stomach. Am I being watched? Can whoever this sick person is…see me?

I turn around, looking at my surroundings. The broken window is boarded up with wood. There's no way he can see me. It must be another wrong number or text message.

"Jack?" I rush out of the bedroom, tripping over my foot. I stumble, but I manage to regain my balance. I stomp toward him and get in front of the TV, blocking his vision.

"Are these from you?" I jolt the flowers in my hand.

"No?" he responds, clearly thrown off by how his brows pinch together and his tone laces with questions.

"I found these on our bed. How did you not know these were there? Weren't you home all day?"

"Yes, I—I mean no," he stutters. "I left for a bit to take the jeep for an oil change. Who is leaving you flowers? And how the fuck did it get in our house?"

Sweat coats my skin. Is this unknown person a problem?

"I don't know, but I'll find out."