Recap
" Overall, the operation is considered a success. So, good job people." Nick praises all of them.
" You did good too, boss."
~~~~~~~~
" Hm-mm." Nick hums happily before getting down to business. " Alexander, send the evidence we've collected of Johnathan's theft to the FBI and the media. And send the blueprints and data back to the original owners."
" Got it." Alexander grabs his laptop from his pack back.
Sitting behind Sophia, Riley leans over Alexander, that's sitting in the middle, to bug Nick.
" Nick, where-"
I place my right arm on Alexander's shoulders and use my left hand to grab the top of her head to push her back to her seat.
" Ah! What the f?!" Flabbergasted, she turns to at me.
" Too close for comfort." I narrow my eyes at her as I pull Alexander towards me. Alexander looks up at me, helplessly sighing as he shakes his head. He soon ignores us, going back to typing.
" Hah?! You paranoid lunatic! Anyway, as I was saying, where are we heading now Nick?"
Riley wasn't paying attention last night to this phase of the mission.
" To the banquet Johnathan's holding today. We have about 3 hours on the road, so you can take a nap or something."
" Okay, then. Night peeps." Riley gives a military salute before getting comfortable in her seat.
Nick turns on the radio, putting on classical music to a soothing volume.
After a bit Alexander speaks up. " Done. Anything else, boss?"
" Nothing else for now." Nick shakes his head " Good job."
" Hm." Alexander nods sighing, fatigued. As he lays his head on my shoulder he mentally says, 'Since the tension and pressure eased up, I'm feeling tired.' He yawned the last half of his sentence.
I lean down to softly kiss his forehead. ' Go to sleep, we still have more than 2 hours on road.'
' Hm, g'night.' He cuddles further into me, getting into a comfortable position. He ends up on my lap, head on my chest, with our legs intertwined as I hug him close by his waist.
I ruffle his soft hair and continue to softly pat his back as he falls asleep.
Half an hour later, after Sophia falls asleep too, Nick puts forth an inquiry in a low, cautious voice.
" Oliver."
" What?" I gruff out lowly, feeling unpleasant that my attention is being called away from counting how many lashes Alexander has in his body.
" Those guards..." Nick hesitates to finish.
He heard the groans and sounds of the guards getting beat up through our connected earphones, but he doesn't know the extent of the damage.
He's worried because he's read Oliver's file before. He knows just how gruesome Oliver's fights can get with his short temper, especially when he's backed up with a justifiable reason; such as protecting others.
Oliver never took missions that hurt the citizens. That's why Nick agreed to work Oliver on his in the first place; Oliver, though on the gray area of the law, was a good man. He qualified as the protagonists ally.
" Are not dead." I finish his sentence for him. I meet his eyes through the rear view mirror. " A mercy, considering they raised their guns on Alexander."
" Ah, yeah, ahem-" Nick clears his throat in discomfort seeing the bloodlust in my eyes. " Uh, I wanted to ask if you could get rid of our physical tracks left after this mission...?" He trails off, unsure whether he should order or ask.
" Got it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Take a left here... okay, stop. Unless you want to get shot at don't step out the car, understood?" I direct the question to Nick as I gently place down Alexander.
" Shot?!" Nick whisper screams since our three other teammates are asleep. He looks left and right to spot anyone of dubious character.
I'm having him stop in a third rate district to change our ride, using one of Oliver's contacts.
Ignoring Nick, I step out the car. I put on my black mask and pull down my hood to hide my face. All that show are my brown eyes and the piercing on the edge of my eyebrow.
I cross the street to head to an alley. I walk up to a fragile looking door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
" Who is it?!" A rough deep voice yells aggressively from inside.
"... Beanstalk." This weird ass name... sigh.
The opens abruptly. Welcoming me is a fist coming straight to my face. I catch it in a second and kick the guys abdomen.
I stand straight, hands in my pocket, waiting for this dumbass to stand up.
" Urg, that was a good kick, man." He groans, holding his stomach. He uses the railing next to him to pull himself up. " Your skills improved." He gives me a thumb up gesture with a grimace on his face.
" Jack." I coldly acknowledge him.
" Aw, and here I thought you'd warm up after spending time with the regular citizens." He rolls his eyes in playful frustration. He walks back in after making a follow me gesture. I lock the door and go after him.
We go through a poorly lite and moldy hallway to the basement.
In the dimly lite place, people were scattered around drinking alcohol at the few good tables. Behind them is a large bar table, with a short old man behind the counter, making a drink for someone.
Jack leads me further in, to his office. " Sit down." He points at a chair as he goes to sit at his desk. " So, why'd you seek me out this time? Deal or favor?" He grins.
" Deal." I lean back and put my feet up on the small table in front of me.
" Your my favorite type of costumer, always up holding your end of the deal!" He lights up a cigarette. " Want one?" He asks as I watch him.
" No, I quit." Alexander doesn't like the smell. He doesn't let me kiss him or even be near him after I'd smoke.
" Good for you." He nods. Exhaling a puff of smoke he continues, " What tools do you need?"
" The usual and a car."
" Cash or debit?" Debit is a shady way of this pub to make connections and have people owe them money. A favor is when you have to pay him back with your service when he asks or paying with something of value, other than money.
" Cash."