Lesson 13: Red Flags

"Urgh, you're joking?"

Henry shook his head sheepishly. "Afraid not. He destroyed the burner phone last night. It was only a matter of time, Cassie. To be fair, he kept it way longer than I thought he would."

I pinched the bridge of my nose and Henry gave me an apologetic smile. "I suppose I'll have to come up with a new plan to keep tabs on him."

"I hope it's not something too reckless."

I rolled my eyes, flashing him a devilish smile. "You know me, Henry. I live for danger."

"Unfortunately. It doesn't make sense to me though. You say you're all about risk-taking yet you over-prepare for everything."

I shrugged. "That's just being logical. I may be impulsive but that doesn't mean I'm irrational. It's always calculated risks my dear Henry and when all else fails come in guns blazing."

"That's why you're one of Celine's favourites," he said, running a hand through his hair as he squinted at his computer screen.

Henry was a decent field agent but the technology side and hacking were where he really shined. I could never do what he did, same went for Tammy.

I winked. "You know it. Now, the question is, how do we keep a track of Jacob now?"

~*~*~

"This is ridiculous," I muttered to myself as I absentmindedly flipped through a clothes rack. Everything in this store was ugly and overpriced, far more expensive than someone on Jacob's salary should've been able to afford yet here he was, browsing through items like he owned the place.

"Jacob, that's hideous," a guy with smooth, warm brown skin, coffee eyes and a slender frame said.

From my research, I knew this was Naeem. He'd recently finished his economics degree and had gone into banking and according to test scores was a very bright individual. He and Jacob were childhood friends but had become more distant since Naeem had moved away for school. It looked like their friendship was on the mend but my intuition was telling me that Jacob still held some resentment for him leaving.

"But it's designer," Jacob defended, holding the grisly jumper in front of him.

"That doesn't make it good," Axel said, looking at some t-shirts with a displeased frown.

Jacob scoffed. "What would you know?"

Axel turned and gave him a deadpan look. "Mate, I'm a model. I've worked for designers all over the world. I think I know a bit more about fashion than you do." The way Axel spoke was harsh, far from the friendly demeanour I'd known him to have. "But hey, if you want to look like clown vomit, who am I to stop you?"

Jacob scowled but said nothing as he forced the jumper back onto its hanger and stalked to the opposite corner of the store to look at hats that were equally as ugly as that horrendous jumper.

I sighed to myself. This was going to be a long day.

I followed the three boys into the next few shops they visited, even having lunch at the same place despite my dislike of seafood.

I needed to slip a new bug onto Jacob but one which he'd actually take with him for the next few weeks so clothes were out of the question. His tooth would be good but there was now way I could do that without him noticing. I could inject one into his skin but, again, he'd notice. My best bet was on his phone like the last time but I had no clue how to get it off of him.

I groaned, shifting the prawns on my plate to avoid eating them. Of all places, why did they have to pick a seafood restaurant?

I was seated a good distance away from the boys and was wearing a big sun hat and sunglasses to somewhat hide who I was but if any of them took a look at me — except Naeem — they'd recognise me instantly.

Hiding in plain sight had worked a treat so far but in a restaurant, it was much harder to hide than in a crowd. Still, I kept my head down, ears trained on their table as I pretended to eat my food. Even the smell made me feel a little queasy.

I was just getting up to go to the toilet — and potentially hurl my guts out — when someone called my name and I froze.

"Cassie?" It was Axel's voice and I had no choice but to look up at him as he walked over to me, the other two guys still locked in conversation.

"Axel? Fancy seeing you here," I smiled as I gestured for him to take the empty seat opposite me.

He grinned. "Must be a small world, Cassie. First the cafe and now here. I'd have half a mind to think you're following me," he joked and the laugh I forced out in return was strained.

Yep, definitely wasn't following anyone.

"Anyway, the reason I came over is 'cause me and a few mates are going out clubbing tonight and I was wondering if you wanted to come."

"Me? Why? You hardly know me."

He shrugged. "So we should get to know you. Besides, Zack is coming and I think you being there would make his day."

My cheeks turned the lightest shade of pink. I'd like to think that came from my acting skills but I couldn't be so sure. "I doubt that, Axel. I know his type. He'll be bored of me before the month ends," I said, looking down at my hands with a frown.

There was a sympathetic smile on his face and from that alone, I knew I was right. "Look, Cassie, I'm not going to deny that you could be right. My best mate doesn't exactly have the best reputation when it comes to girls."

I gave him a sad half-smile filled with so much want but pain that it alone should've won me an Oscar. "Then I guess you've got my answer. I'll only get hurt the more I see him."

Axel shook his head softly. "I don't think that's true, Cassie. Zack is... well, Zack is a complicated guy and he's hard to read. He doesn't open up much to anyone other than his sister, Harper, but even then there's so much he's not told anyone. He doesn't like to get close to people."

"I don't understand what you're trying to get at," I said, my forehead creasing.

He ran a hand through his dark hair. "Sorry, I ramble sometimes. What I'm trying to say is that he's been acting differently these past few weeks, especially since that date you guys went on. He seems lighter? Happier? More at ease? I'm not really sure what but there's definitely something different about him. I probably shouldn't be telling you this but I feel like there's a reason I ran into you."

Yes, it's because I'm following Jacob, duh.

"I think you're good for him, Cassie. I've never seen Zack act this way after a first date. There's definitely something there so don't let his past keep you away from him. Give the guy a chance."

I bit my lip, acting nervous and unsure but on the inside I was overjoyed. Axel had played into my hand exactly as I'd predicted. "I don't know, Axel..."

He nodded in understanding. "I get it. I'd be cautious too. Just think about it?" he asked, standing up.

I nodded and he smiled before walking back to his table, easily slotting into conversation with Jacob and Naeem.

I smirked to myself just as I got a message on my phone. Axel had unknowingly given me the perfect way to plant a bug on Jacob.

~*~*~

"And you're making me come with you because?" Kole grumbled as I dragged him down the busy streets.

I rolled my eyes. He was such a whiney baby. "Jacob is going to be at this club. I need you to help me bug his phone and keep eyes out for any suspicious behaviour."

"No, you just want me there so I can do your job whilst you ogle over that pretty boy of yours."

I hit him on the back of the head. "Fuck off. Zack doesn't even know I'm coming and I have never ogled at anyone."

"There's a first time for everything," he teased and my retort was cut off by Axel shouting my name from further up the road.

"Cassie, you made it!" he grinned.

"Wouldn't miss it," I said with a shy smile as we approached and Kole kept that usual cocky grin on his face.

Seeing us talking to Axel, the bouncer let us in immediately so we didn't have to wait in the horrendously long line forming outside. Thank fuck.

"Who's this?" Axel asked, gesturing to Kole as we made our way through the throngs of people.

"Axel, this is my older brother-"

"Miles," Kole cut me off and I scowled at the shit-eating grin on his face. Of course he chose Miles.

"He begged me to let him come. It was easier to give in than listen to him whine for hours," I shrugged and it was Kole's turn to scowl.

Kole and I didn't exactly look like siblings, in fact, I wouldn't even say we looked like distant cousins. He was pale with curly black hair and grey eyes whereas I was tanned with wavy blonde — albeit dyed — hair and brown eyes. He was tall with a slightly upturned nose, low cheekbones and strong brows whereas I was an average height with a straighter nose, high cheekbones and softer brows. He was an idiot whereas I was smart.

However, Axel didn't seem to notice — that, or he didn't care — as he shrugged, giving Kole a nod. "Nice to meet you, man."

Kole nodded back as we finally made it to the bar where Jacob and Naeem were chatting animatedly, drinks in hand. "Guys, this is Cassie and Miles."

"Oh, don't worry I remember you, Cassie," Jacob said, eyeing me in a way that made me want to run a mile in the opposite direction. Kole stiffened slightly next to me but in the dim lighting of the club, no one else noticed.

I gave Jacob a strained smile and turned to Naeem as he beamed at me. "So you're the famous Cassie I've heard so much about."

"All good things I hope."

He nodded. "Only the best. Oh, by the way, I'm Naeem. Nice to meet you."

This time I grinned in return. Something about Naeem felt safe and comforting, the exact opposite of Jacob. He had an aura that made you want to talk to him, made you want to impress him. He commanded respect in a way that wasn't intimidating or uncomfortable but gentle and friendly. It was a welcomed contrast and I easily fell into conversation with him.

It had been a good half hour and there was still no sign of Zack. Kole had disappeared a while ago to scope the place out or something like that. Naeem had also slipped off to socialise so it was just me, Axel and Jacob.

I'd noticed Jacob take out his phone a few times in our exchange before putting it into his back pocket. Perfect — it was much easier to swipe a phone from there.

"I've got to nip to the loo. Are you two going to be alright without me for a few minutes?" Axel asked but the question was directed at me as if he knew that Jacob made me uncomfortable.

I nodded encouragingly and Axel sighed, giving me one final glance before walking off and disappearing into the masses of people.

I doubted Jacob had even noticed Axel's absence considering he'd been blatantly staring at my chest for the past five minutes. Did he not understand the meaning of subtlety?

"So, Cassie, tell me a bit more about yourself," he prompted, shifting his seat slightly closer to mine.

I resisted the urge to recoil, plastering on a look of indifference and shrugged. "There's not much to tell."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"How about you tell me about you whilst I think of something?"

"Sure," he said, leaning back in his chair slightly and I let out a silent breath of relief. "Well, my name's Jacob Miller. I'm twenty-four and I'm a part-time martial arts instructor. I love to work out as I'm sure you can tell and I have a major thing for blondes. Your turn."

He leaned back in, resting his arms on the table and I subtly scooted my chair back just a smidge. "Okay. Well umm, I'm Cassandra Bell and I'm twenty-one. I'm a full-time student about to go into my third year of uni studying languages."

Celine liked to make my cover similar to my real-life situation to make them easier to remember. I'd only changed my name and missed out that I was a mafia trained assassin working undercover at MI5 on a mission to take Jacob's gang/terrorist group down. Minor details.

"Which languages?"

"Name one. I'm a polyglot," I shrugged.

He smirked. "Okay, tell me something sexy in French."

"Ta mère aurait dû t'avaler," I said, smiling sweetly.

"You sound hot as fuck talking dirty to me." I had to stifle my laugh. He clearly had no clue what I'd said.

I couldn't see or hear much because the club was loud and dark so I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard a familiar chuckle from behind us. The chair next to me was scraped backwards and Zack sat down, finally making an appearance.

"Jacob, she's clearly not interested so clear off."

"And how would you know?"

"'Cause I can speak French, dummy."

Jacob's face went beet red and he abruptly stood up. "Whatever. I gotta go take a piss," he said, rushing away from our table ridiculously fast. I almost felt bad but then I remembered he was probably a terrorist and my guilt vanished.

"Look who finally decided to show up," I said, subtly texting Kole that Jacob was on his way to the bathroom.

He bowed mockingly. "Didn't realise you were so eagerly awaiting my presence."

"Fuck off," I grinned. "But thanks for saving me just now."

His hand found my free one on top of the table. "Anytime. Axel told me that you might've needed a bit of a rescue."

"Ah, wingman of the century that guy is. First convincing me to come tonight and then plotting to get me alone with Jacob. Very smart."

Zack threw his head back in a laugh. "Oh really? I didn't realise he was such a mastermind. Normally, he's trying to steer me away from girls."

I raised a brow at that, trying to gauge his expression but it was difficult to make much out beyond the few glimpses I got every time the lights flashed in various colours. "How come?"

"He's always been the more sensible friend. He doesn't like people's feelings getting hurt and he tends to notice the red flags in people before I do so he's just looking out for me I guess."

"Shouldn't he be chasing you away from me then?"

"Oh, so you're full of red flags are you?" he teased.

I smiled devilishly. "I could be. You never know." Murdering people for a living tended to be a red flag in most people's books for some reason.

"Well, if that's the case, it's a good thing I love the colour red." His fingers were tracing a circle on my exposed knee, the touch gentle and slow.

"What about you, any red flags?"

He tapped his chin in thought. "You tell me." Maybe that he was known to be with a new girl every week or that he wasn't very good at making coffee or perhaps that he was friends with a terrorist?

"Hmmm, I do hear that you've got a bit of a reputation with girls." Of course, Jaia, because that was clearly the biggest red flag on the list.

Zack sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I suppose it was only going to last so long before you heard about that," he paused, giving me a sad smile. "I get it if you don't want anything to do with me anymore."

"I never said that. Convince me," I teased with a coy smile.

"Oh, umm well yes, I've been with lots of girls, Cassie but I'm not a bad guy. I've never lied or made false promises. I never cheated or played any of them. I've never even had a girlfriend if I'm being completely honest. The press just likes to paint me a lot worse than I am."

"I don't know, Zack... a lot of people would contest that." I was purposely pressing his buttons but I didn't expect him to actually get upset so when he pulled his hand away from my knee I was a little surprised.

The absence of his hand made me frown slightly as I nudged him gently in the arm. "Zack, hey, I'm only teasing."

"It's whatever, Cassie. I get it. I'm the bad guy."

"What if bad guys are my type?"

He gave me a puzzled look. I wasn't lying, I liked a bad boy. I meant it more in the sense of a guy who was actually dangerous and was in a similar line of work to me but Zack didn't need to know that.

"I- what do you mean?"

I smirked, leaning forward so our faces were centimetres apart. His eyes went wide but he didn't pull back, watching me in confusion.

"That red is my favourite colour too," I murmured and despite my better judgement, I did the exact same thing I'd slandered myself for last time. I pressed my lips against his and snogged the pretty boy.

~*~*~

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