Lesson 9: Arrogant Fuckboys

"Everything looks good, Cassie. Your leg is healing nicely and you're very lucky it didn't get infected. That would've taken so much longer to heal," the doctor said, smiling at her chart in approval. "The cuts on your arms are fine and I think you're as patched up as can be. But no missions for another week. I want that leg completely better before you go running around doing all those flips and tricks."

I groaned into the pillow. "Like you said, I'm fine doc. I don't need another week. It's already been one week. That should be enough."

She sighed, shaking her head in disapproval. "One week isn't enough and you know that, Cassandra. Putting pressure on your leg is only going to mean it'll take even longer to heal. Besides, I thought you'd love the time off. You get paid to relax."

I scowled but didn't say anything more, knowing she was right.

"How's she doing doc," Celine said from by the door, walking over to stand next to me and read my chart.

"As good as can be expected. No missions for another week though."

"What about some sleuthing?"

The doctor raised a warning brown and Celine lifted her hands up in surrender. "Nothing dangerous or even athletic. Just walking and sitting. If anything, it'll give her some much needed fresh air."

She sighed, handing the chart to Celine. "Fine but if I hear that she's put any and I mean any unnecessary strain on that leg of hers I'll be holding you accountable."

"Fine by me."

The doctor rolled her eyes, leaving the room to give Celine and me some privacy.

"How are you feeling?"

I shrugged, sitting upright and straightening my back. "Fine. What's this sleuthing you want me to do?"

"You're straight to the point."

"Saves time that way."

Celine put my chart down, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed. "Remember your mission from a week ago? The one about hijacking that gang's shipment?"

I gave her a deadpan look, gesturing to my bandaged leg and she laughed softly. "Of course, how could you forget? Great job, by the way, saving the boys. They really can be idiots sometimes. Going in completely blind like that, ridiculous. No clue why they didn't check the place out first to see how many they'd be facing. Anyway, that's not the point. Normally, I'd get Robert to brief you but he's prepping Kole — sorry, I mean Jack — right now and of course you can't go over to them so I'll explain this mission to you instead.

"We've been tracking this particular gang for a while now and it's not pretty. They seem like a lot more than your usual petty criminals. In fact, a lot more like terrorists than anything. That shipment you managed to stop had parts for building bombs and potential nuclear weapons which is why we've decided this case is above the police's pay grade.

"It seems like no matter what we do we keep tracing them to different universities across the country. Not one specific place unfortunately so we've decided to place agents in each of the universities high on our suspicion list.

"This is where you come in. Before we put you in a university we want to make sure it's worth it. So, I want you to check one out for me. Just go around the campus, talk to a few people and get a feel for the place. If you find anything even remotely suspicious let us know. Even if it's just a bad feeling you get. We can't take any chances and by now you should be able to trust your instincts.

"This mission is big, Cassandra. If we end up putting you in a university it could be your last training mission before you can finally go solo which I know you've been dying to do. You're almost ready, kid. I know it.

"You start tomorrow. I'll get Robert to drop off your file and cover for you.  Learn it inside out. You'll be alone for your sleuthing but if you find anything suspicious and have to pose as a student we'll send you with a team. But let's not worry about that just yet.

"I want you to focus on healing tonight. I'm hoping this past week has been a good rest for you. I need you back and alert tomorrow. Don't disappoint me," Celine finished, scrutinising my face as she waited for a response.

I barely cared about what the mission was. All I was focused on was being able to finally go solo. If I played my cards right, I could be doing just that. The real Blair could start coming back to the surface.

The smirk that took ahold of my features was impossible to hide. "I never do."

~*~*~

Seeing as today wasn't a mission where I'd have to do intense cardio, I was wearing denim shorts, an olive green milkmaid top, a long white flowing cardigan and white slip-ons in order to battle the summer heat. Not the most practical outfit but definitely not the worst.

I'd been talking to random people around the campus for the last two hours and found nothing.

It was July so most students were at home for the summer but some stayed year-round, either for summer courses and projects or for jobs or something of the sort. Maybe the terrorists had all left already? But that theory didn't quite make sense to me. They couldn't just pack up their operations and leave for the whole summer. Why put their plans on hold for that long?

My brain was spinning with possibilities as I walked to the nearest coffee shop, in need of an iced drink to help me cool off and collect my thoughts.

Upon receiving my much-needed drink, I noticed the barista had somehow managed to spell my alias — Cassie — as Kazziette. Was that even a name? It made me chuckle as I sat down at the only available table on the right-hand side near the back of the room.

I swirled the cream with my paper straw, trying to listen in on people's conversations and do a bit of lip-reading. No luck. All I heard was mindless chatter like 'did you see Andrew last night? He was so shit-faced. Woke up in a trolly outside of ASDA with a traffic cone on his head'; 'I don't care if he's my ex-boyfriend. You're supposed to be my best friend so how the fuck could you do that?'; 'yes mum, I'm fine. No, I didn't wear black today. Yes, I had blueberries this morning; and 'Not you too, bro. I can't believe you've got a thing for my sister. All my mates fall for her'.

My ears pricked. That last voice sounded oddly familiar. I scanned the room and low and behold, sitting not three tables away from me was barista boy, a brunette guy with tattoos covering his arms and a dirty blond boy who was extremely built. Why was he here? Because he was a student, duh Jaia. What if there was another reason though? Either way, my curiosity was piqued and my legs were already moving before my mind could comprehend what they were doing.

Barista boy was the first to notice me, his grey-blue eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. "Fancy seeing you here," I smirked. I was never one to be embarrassed or flustered and I wasn't about to start now.

To be fair to him, he was rather quick to regain his composure, matching my smirk with one of his own. "I could say the same thing. You're not following me are you?" he joked and I scoffed.

"In your dreams."

The brunette cleared his throat, looking mildly uncomfortable.

"Right guys sorry. This is uh—" he paused, trying to read the name on my cup. "This is uh... Kazziette?... wait, your name is Kazziette?"

I snorted. "Forgotten my name already? Wow, I see how it is," I mocked hurt, my hand on my chest.

His eyes went wide once again and he stumbled over his next words. "No- um - I... I would never. I swear you didn't tell me I—"

I couldn't help my laugh. "I'm just teasing. My name's Cassie," I smiled. "Mind if I sit?"

He nodded, gesturing to the only open seat which was opposite him and between his two friends.

"Anyway, guys this is Cassie. Cassie, this is Axel and Jacob," he said, motioning to the brunette then the dirty blond. "We met the other week at the Hive Cafe by that old road salt building."

"Don't you work there? Isn't it cheating on your job to come here?"

Barista boy chuckled. "Nah I don't actually work there, Jacob does. I was just covering for him for the night so he could go hook up with this girl he likes. Don't tell the manager though."

"You've got my word. Anyway, what's this I hear about a sister?"

The brunette, Axel, groaned, sliding down his chair. "Nothing."

Jacob, the dirty blond, smiled evilly. I didn't like his demeanour one bit. "A certain someone has a crush on Zack's sister."

"I do not," Axel whined, his cheeks pink.

Huh, so barista boy was called Zack. Nice name.

"I don't blame you man she's fit as fuck. Have you seen her—"

"Watch it, Jacob. That's my little sister you're talking about. You're already on thin ice with her," Zack warned, his voice murderous.

Jacob, scraped his chair back slightly, his arms lifted in surrender. "Sheesh, Zack, calm down. I was only pointing out the facts. She's a model so of course people are gonna say stuff about her. You gotta learn to relax."

Barista boy most certainly did not relax. His spine was tense and his jaw and right fist were both clenched.

Axel was the one who intervened, seemingly the peacemaker of the group. "Jacob, drop it. Aren't you meant to be meeting up with Naeem?"

"Not for a few more hours."

Axel glared at his friend and even though he was nowhere near as built or intimidating as him, Jacob still sighed with a roll of his eyes, getting up from his chair. "Actually, you're right, bro. I lost track of time. I better get going 'cause you know what Naeem is like about punctuality."

Before he left, he came up behind me, whispering into my ear. "Sorry you had to see this, Cassie. I'm not a bad guy, promise. In fact, if you get bored of Zack you should give me a call. I'll show you just how good I am."

He squeezed my shoulder and winked before leaving and I fought the urge to vomit. He smelt of smoke and three-day-old laundry. That guy gave me seriously awful vibes in more ways than one.

Steam was practically exploding from Zack's ears but, like earlier, he was quick to regain his composure. "Sorry about that, Cassie. Jacob and I tend to bash heads a lot."

I shook my head, smiling softly at him. "Don't worry about it. I'd be the same if I had a sister and someone made comments about her like that. But not going to lie, he seems like a bit of a pig."

"You're not wrong there," Axel muttered to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose and Zack nodded in agreement.

Why were they friends with that guy if they clearly didn't like him? The disgust on both of their faces screamed volumes on their hatred. Even Axel, the obviously most level headed of the three, seemed almost revolted by the guy. Maybe it was because he was talking about Zack's sister, a girl he clearly liked, or perhaps it was because—

"Anyways, sorry to run but I'm late for a shoot," Axel said, gently moving his chair back from the table. "I'll leave you kids to it. If you're the girl I think you are, Cassie, you guys have a lot to talk about."

I quirked a brow. "Oh, I'm famous am I?"

Axel grinned and Zack went the slightest shade of pink. "Oh yes. The hot blonde from the cafe with chocolate 'fuck-me' eyes who snogged him till he was ready to burst then decided to ditch. Absolute comedy gold. Glad to see someone making him work for it. This guy normally has it way too easy with girls."

"Shut up, Axel," Zack hissed but he was smiling just a tad. I was definitely doing everything I could to hold back a laugh.

"You heard him, Cassie. I gotta go. Have fun." With that, he was off. Snatching the jacket on the back of his chair and sprinting out of the building.

"Hot blonde with chocolate fuck-me eyes?" Funnily enough, I could describe Zack in almost the exact same way just swap the chocolate for steel blue.

Zack shrugged loosely. "A pretty accurate description if I do say so myself."

This time there was no holding back my snort. Though the more I thought about it, the more I missed my natural dark brown hair. I'd definitely dye it back soon.

"So is that your type then?" I raised a brow, smiling coyly. Maybe this guy knew something and if I flirted with him he'd accidentally let it slip.

He smirked, his leg brushing mine under the table. "Hair colour doesn't bother me but the fuck-me eyes? One hundred per cent. There's nothing better."

I leaned in slightly. "Glad to know I qualify."

He mirrored my movement. "Do I make it onto your list?"

I looked to my left, pretending to mull over his question but in actuality, I had spotted Jacob through the window. He was getting onto a motorcycle that was parked right outside the building with a number plate I could just about make out as MX19 JDT. That guy screamed suspicious and my gut was ordering me to follow him.

"Mmhhh I think you might. Just about."

"One date and I'll be at the top of that list of yours," he said, that smirk on his face getting cockier by the second but in a way that was dangerously attractive.

"A date? I don't know about that..." I teased.

His leg again brushed against mine. "Oh but I think you do. You know you'd have an amazing time."

The more he spoke, the more apparent his fuckboy tendencies were but that was a relief to discover; it'd be easier to shake him off later down the line. However, right now I needed to be close to him. If my gut was right about Jacob, barista boy could be just the ticket I needed to get to the bottom of this.

"Why do you think that?"

"That kiss of ours last week? That was just a taste of how amazing I could make you feel, Cassie." He kept eye contact with me as he spoke, not letting me look away and my throat bobbed.

"Who said that kiss was any good?" I raised a brow at him.

He shrugged just as confident as ever. "You did. Body language is everything, Cassie."

"Wouldn't I have already called you if it was that amazing? Maybe you're not as good as you think you are, Zack." If his ego was bruised he didn't show it. Either way, I was lying through my teeth. He was a damned good kisser if I'd ever met one but knocking him down a few pegs was sure to benefit me in the long run.

Flirting was a powerful tool. Luca had taught me the importance of it and I'd even had lessons about it at MI5. If you used the right words and body language you could make someone do almost anything. With a guy like Zack, I was sure the strategy of acting disinterested would only make him want me more. Guys loved a challenge and chase, especially cocky fuckboys who were arrogant enough to believe they could have anyone they wanted. They hated being told no. Harsh but true.

"You wound me, Cassie," he joked, pouting. "But you can't fool me. You loved every second of that kiss otherwise you wouldn't have come over to talk to me."

I shrugged. "Or I didn't want you to feel bad if you realised I was ignoring you."

That smirk still didn't vanish from his face even if swore I saw it wobble slightly. "That just tells me you care about my feelings."

I chuckled, almost enjoying his determination. "If you want to delude yourself who am I to stop you?" I mused, purposely letting my hand rest on his for just a second on the table before pulling away.

"I don't think I mind this delusion," he said, still staring into my soul with his steel eyes.

"At least yo—" my phone ringing cut off my sentence. Kole.

I was actually running out of ways to keep barista boy at the right distance so for once I appreciated his interruption. "Sorry," I said to Zack, grabbing the phone and leaning back in my chair before answering.

"Jesus, Jaia, how long does it take to—"

"What? Is something wrong?" I spluttered, plastering a worried frown onto my face.

"What are you going on about? Jaia, it's Kole."

"Oh god, Kelly, I'm so sorry."

"You did not just call me Kelly. I'm going—"

"Of course I can. Where are you?"

"Still at the university. Now, listen J—"

"Okay. Got it. I'll be right there, I promise. Hang tight," I said, hanging up the phone on a very pissed off Kole.

"Is everything alright," Zack asked, actually looking worried.

I shook my head, frowning even deeper than before. "It's my friend, Kelly. Her boyfriend just broke up with her... over the phone. They'd been dating for three years so she's in a really bad place and needs me. I've got to go, sorry."

He smiled encouragingly at me, that smirk of his finally gone. "No, it's okay I totally understand. You need to be there for your friend."

I nodded in thanks, putting my cardigan back on as I stood up.

"We'll just have to rearrange that date of ours."

"Or maybe I'll bump into you again."

"Maybe," he said, the smirk back on his face. "Or maybe you could just call me?"

I sent him a wink before rushing out of the coffee shop, already dialling Kole to fill him in on our next mission: tracking down Jacob.

~*~*~

Zack is officially in the story! Finally!

Hopefully you liked the chapter and it made you smile. If you did please don't forget to vote and comment 💜💜

(Ps. I have very important exams over the next month so if I miss a few updates that's why. This chapter is longer so I hope that makes up for it.)

Stay safe xx