☢

Lindsey had been begging me to go to the mall all week and because I needed to act like things were normal I relented.

I was flicking through the sale rack in H&M. When for what felt like the twentieth time I caught her eye as she shifted absently through the mixed and matched t-shirts.

I let out a heavy breath and stopped, raised my eyebrows at her. She glanced away quickly and feigned interest in a white crop top with a little embroidered rainbow on it.

"Alright spit it out." I snapped, she'd been acting weird all day. Overly excited when I picked her up earlier from her house and then awkwardly quiet anytime silence fell. She'd been giving me odd looks anytime she thought I might not be watching. Even sometimes when I was. I felt like I was a slide under the microscopes I used in the labs at school.

She paused and slowly looked up through her lashes, "What do you mean?"

"I mean you've been acting weird all day. Did I do something wrong?"

She bit her bottom lip, fingered the the sleeve of the little top and held it up, "What do you think? Do you think my mom would notice the rainbow?"

I frowned knowing she was trying to distract me, but also willingly falling for it, "I thought you said you were gonna tell her at the end of last semester?"

She shrugged and offered a little smirk, "I know but I haven't gotten around to it."

"Lindsey! You know she'll be supportive. I give her a week before half the house is covered in red, orange, yellow, green-"

She laughed and held up a hand to shut me up, "Yeah, yeah I know. That's what I'm afraid of though."

"Okay I give up then. What's the problem?"

"The problem is I don't want her to get... mushy. She'll feel the need to be overly supportive and I just don't want to change anything you know? I'm still me, she doesn't have to prove anything."

"Fair enough. Gotta bite the bullet eventually." I paused at the flash of concern in her eye and narrowed my own gaze, "Speaking of which. Nice detour there but I want to know what all those little looks have been about."

She groaned but smiled slightly in defeat. It fell quickly though, which made my stomach knot up. I'd found since, that night, it didn't take a lot to make me nervous or stressed. The bark of my neighbor's dog? I jumped. The sound of my birth control pill alarm going off had my heart pumping in my chest.

"I'm just- worried about you that's all. Have you um, have you heard anything from-"

"Ah!" I shouted, my eyes as round as saucers. The sound of my ringing ears made me realize how loud I'd been, that and a few other shoppers glancing our way. My cheeks heated as I ducked through the clothes on the rack so I was on the same side as her, "I mean, don't mention anything specific. No one is supposed to know what happened, not even you."

"Shit. I'm sorry I'm not used to this life or death thing." Her voice was barely auditable on the last four words. A shiver ran down my spine at them.

"I know. Me either." I nibbled my bottom lip before I grabbed her hand and dragged her towards the dressings rooms.

Quickly I glanced around, smiled tightly at the girl who was the dressing room attendant and snapped the curtains closed. When I turned around Lindsey was leaning against the mirror, arms crossed across her chest. She was still clutching the crop top hanger in one hand.

"Okay babe, I hope this is you about to update me."

"I called him."

"You called who?" She asked her eyebrows pinching together in confusion and concern.

"Him. Um, B- the guy. You-know-who." I whispered, wringing my hands together.

"Holy shit, what? Why? What did he say? Are you okay? Do we have to go to the police again?"

I'd told her about the visit the police had given me. About how I'd had to lie about everything. Even the way Officer Ryan seemed to watch me closely, not quite suspiciously but almost.

I shook my head, "No it was about business."

"Oh so it's "business" now?"

"Well what do you want me to call it?" I snapped irritated, "A mission? A task?"

"A mission is good, sounds kind of badass you know?"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Leave it to Lindsey to be a worry wart and then some kind of excited spy enthusiast all within a single breath. Still it did little to stop the churning in my gut anytime I even thought about Bomber and Lethal let alone talked about them out loud. Which I pretty much never had the chance to do since no one knew but me. Maybe that's why I felt almost desperate to talk to Lindsey despite the risks. I wanted to tell her everything, something, anything.

I powered on despite the alarm bells going off insisting I shut up, "Listen. So I texted him because I made some progress."

She straightened up at that, eyes widening, "You did? What kind of progress?"

I chewed my lip and hesitated, "I can't tell you that. At least not here. But I had to text him about it. I'm meant to give updates, you know? But that was three days ago and he never replied so I called him last night."

"This is insane. You know that right? I mean I believe you and all but it's crazy." Lindsey muttered, probably more to herself than to me but I nodded all the same.

It was crazy. My life had become a surreal nightmare and I spent half my time in denial and the other half in constant panic. Fear that something bad was going to happen lingered like an approaching summer thunderstorm.

"So?" She cut into my train of thought prompting me to keep going.

"So, he hasn't called me back. I don't know, it's making me nervous. This radio silence. It's driving me crazy. I can't sleep. I don't know what to do. It's part of the reason I agreed to come out today. I needed to get my mind busy with something else."

"Gee, thanks. I should have know I wouldn't be enough for you." I shot her a look and she sighed, "Look maybe this is a good thing. Maybe it means they forgot about you? Maybe you're off the hook?"

The thought had crossed my mind before I called him. Had almost stopped me from reminding either of the brothers that I still existed. Bomber was the one to tell me that I needed to be in contact with him. The last time I'd seen him he'd been hassling me about hurrying things up with Collin. And now, here I was trying to tell him about my meeting the kid at the center of everything and the asshole wasn't texting me back.

I mean. Not that I wanted to hear from him. But, I couldn't help but worry something might be wrong. A sick little of part of me even hoped for it. Maybe he'd been hit by a car crossing the road. Maybe he'd been shot on the job. It scared me how much I actually prayed for both. I didn't want this to change me, darken me. If it did, then they won. Then they really had killed the girl I was that night.

"I'm definitely not off the hook. Life has shown me recently I'm not that damn lucky."

"Well, if you're asking my advice? I'd say forget about it. If they need you they'll reach out to you now."

Lindsey was right. I'd done my part. It was time for Bomber to do his. I hadn't seen Collin since he and his friends came into the parlor that one time anyway. We'd exchanged numbers, but hadn't been in contact with each other yet. I'd been hoping to talk to Bomber before I did anything else anyway.

Sighing I decided to try and have a good day with Lindsey. I forced a smile, tried to force it into my eyes to make it more believable, "You gonna try that on or not? I'm starving."

An hour later Lindsey and I were in the food court. Surrounded by the greasy smells and food and people. A white H&M bag was on the floor by Lindsey's feet since she'd decided to get the rainbow crop top, and a pack of scrunchies too. She'd already popped the latter open and had used one to put her hair up in a little bun. Since it was pretty short wisps had already fallen out around her face and at the nap of her neck.

"I'm gonna head to bathroom real quick." I said as I finished the last of my coke, slurping it through the ice that rattled at the bottom of the cup.

She nodded and popped another fry in her mouth as she scrolled away on her phone.

Just as I turned the corner, the noisy chatter of the lunch goers behind me I felt something stiff and cold press into my back. It bit through my sweater like a viper and I stilled.

"Keep moving."

The deep, dark tremor of a voice was familiar. It was the same voice of the hand the hands that had trapped me. Vinny. Swallowing my heart back into my chest I pushed through the red door into the ladies room. Vinny followed closely, the gun still pressed against my back.

My mind was racing but I couldn't think of anything I'd done that would warrant such a visit from the beast of a man. The brothers's watch dog. Unless, unless he'd been following me and heard what I'd been saying to Lindsey while shopping. The thought of being watched like that, it was violating. Terrifying. Especially since I hadn't know or realized. It made me sick to my soul.

My thoughts didn't pause their fervent panicking until I saw him. He was wearing a black t-shirt, which clung to him like a second skin. Worn grey sweats hung at his hips and sneakers on his feet. He looked so casual, so normal. No one at the mall would suspect him of being a murderer. Not with that pretty face he walked around with either.

I heard my own voice before I even realized I wanted to speak, "Really, Bomber? The Women's bathroom? Do you have no boundaries?"

"I'm a big believer in equality, darling. A bathroom is a bathroom in my eyes."

"For gods sake it's the bathroom part that's the problem, asshole!"

At the change in my tone I felt Vinny press the barrel of the gun harder into my spine. I winced and tried to yank myself out of his hold, but he held firm.

"Dammit will you call off your goon, please? I think we're past the part of me running to get away."

He grinned at me, almost like he was happy to see me, "I think Vinny is just a little paranoid around you. Since the last time he saw you, you-"

"Kicked him in the balls?" I finished for him, Bomber simply responded with an amused smile, "Not like he didn't deserve it." I yanked at Vin's hold again, this time more for show than anything else.

"I was following orders." He grumbled from behind me, his deep voice resonating through the empty stalls.

"And I was following instinct."

"You almost broke my nose." He growled out defensively and I scoffed.

"Almost? What a disappointment."

"As much as I would love to listen to you two bicker all day, I simply don't have the time. I'm a very busy man. Vinny, leave us. I need to speak to Ainsley alone."

"Yes, Boss."

The moment the gun left my spine I sagged forward, resisting the urge to drop to my knees in relief. Adrenaline still lingered in my veins. Adrenaline I didn't even know was there until I didn't need it anymore. I heard the retreating steps of Vinny and then the closing of the bathroom door. I ignored Bomber as he strolled passed me while I tried to stop my limbs from turning to jello. The snapping of the lock had my bones solid again. I spun around, glancing between him and my only escape route. Gone.

He shrugged, "Not for you, darling. Just don't need anyone walking in on our little rendezvous."

I didn't say anything for moment. Part of me knew despite his words that as much as he wanted to keep people out, he also wanted to keep me in.

Finally I asked, "Were you following me?" My voice wasn't as strong as I had hoped. It wavered slightly.  

"You don't seem quite as happy to see me as I'd hoped."

The familiar painful, heavy stone settled in my gut now that I was alone with him. I studied his face, the glowing tan of his skin, the light dusting of freckles over his nose, and that wicked scar. His lip twitched slightly as he smirked at me.

"Were. You. Following me?" Was all I repeated through clenched teeth.

"Are you actually surprised, sugar? Out of all that's happened is me following you really that shocking?"

I swallowed the insults I wanted to hurl at him, the profanities that were on the tip of my tongue. All it took was a few days of quiet for me to forget that as terrified as I was of him, I also hated him. Hated his cockiness, his ability to try to make anything into a joke. Hated his gorgeous face that made me nauseous at night when I closed my eyes. A wolf in sheep's clothing. A demon prince in the sun.

"I called you."

His smile fell. Silence reigned for a moment, "I know."

"I texted too."

"I know." He repeated in that same serious tone. He barely used it and when he did. It was chilling.

"Then why-" I swallowed, "Why haven't you called me back?"

"I'm a busy man. Something came up." He shoved his hands into his pockets, "But I'm here now."

His tone made me freeze, made me terrified to press further what had kept him away. Shadows flashed across my memories, screams, a knife to my throat, blood on my face. Lifeless eyes staring up at me. No I didn't need to ask where he had been, what he'd been doing. It was in his eyes, his words. He told me in the words he didn't say.

Instead I said, "Why are you here? Now? In the mall? Isn't this a little public?"

"That's never stopped me before." He murmured raising a suggestive eyebrow to which I responded with a scowl.

"What good is me having a phone if you're just gonna kidnap me every time you want to talk?"

"Don't pretend you're not warming up to my ways, darling."

"What do you want, Bomber?"

He studied me, eyes raking down my form and I felt naked under his gaze. Worse. I felt weak. It was something I couldn't afford to feel around him. Not when he was like a predator waiting to pounce the moment I showed him the opportunity.

"My brother thinks you're trying to put us off."

"Why are you telling me this?"

He studied me, "Because, I want to know. Are you? Are putting us off, Ainsley?"

"Do you always do your brother's bidding? I know Vinny calls you Boss but you don't act like a boss you act like a puppy."

"You don't know what the hell you're talking about. That pretty mouth of yours is going to get you into real trouble one day. Not everyone is as patient as I am."

"I thought you said you weren't patient."

He grinned, "I'm more patient than most people in my world. More patient than my brother. Which brings your little detour back on track. Are. You. Putting me off, darling?"

I was silent for a moment, "No." I finally ground out, "If I was putting you off why would I call you asking to talk? If anything you have been putting me off."

"Alright. I concede to your logic. I'd hate to have to give a little more encouragement anyway."

"Look, my plan is working alright? I wanted to tell you that I talked to Collin. I sat with him and his friends when they came into work."

He looked a little impressed, probably that my plan worked, but it sadly didn't last long.

"And what do you have to show for it?"

Again I was silent.

"Exactly. Nothing. Nothing doesn't help either of us. Remember, Ainsley. The sooner you get us what we want the sooner you're done with us and can run on back to your boring, average life."

I bristled. My life wasn't boring. I knew I had been lucky to be born into the family I had, with next to limitless opportunities all around me. I went to a great college and I had great friends there. I also loved my home town. I was privileged but I was gonna do something with it. I was going to save lives.

Was there something wrong with any of those things? I much preferred organic chemistry over dealing with murderers on a daily basis. If Bomber considered that boring then fine. I loved boring, I would be happy to live with it for the rest of my life.

"I've been waiting to hear from you." I mumbled, "I have his number. I- I just thought I should talk to you before I did anything else."

He raised a surprised eyebrow but surprisingly only said, "You wanted my permission? Don't worry we're not exclusive." He winked at me then more professionally added, "Call him, Ainsley. We need you to get into his dad's office as soon as possible."

I pursued my lips. I knew the end goal was stealing something from Mr. Monturi. Files of some kind, Lethal had said. But if they were so important that the boys wanted them, if Monturi was dangerous...

"Should I expect something like this again?" I asked, my voice soft and solemn. Bomber mimicked me taking a few steps closer. I resisted the urge to retreat backwards.

"What do you mean?" His mouth was tight, his scar adding to the danger of it all.

"You disappearing. I need to know if I call you'll pick up. If I end up in a situation where I need help getting what you want I have to know you'll be there."

"You don't even know what we want. All you need to focus on is getting access to the kid's house. Once you have that we'll discuss what exactly it is we need you to find."

"I'm serious, Bomber. If I'm doing this for you guys I need to feel..."

"Feel what?"

"Safe, okay? I need to feel safe. I'm doing to this to save my own life. To protect my family and how can any of that matter if I end up dead before it happens?"

Understanding seemed to settle into his eyes and he took another step closer that had me fighting to hide the tremors in my hands.

"Trust me Ainsley. As long as you're working for us, the only thing you have to fear is us."

"I'm serious."

"I know you are. And so am I. No one can touch you while I'm around."

"So, no more MIA?" I asked.

He paused, "If it's in my power. You have to understand I don't always have the leisure of trips to the mall."

"I never asked you to come here. I only ever wanted you to text me back."

"Oh darling," he smiled taking a final step towards me, only two or so feet between us, "If you wanted me, you only had to ask."

I ignored the sensuous undertone of his voice. This was serious. He promising to be my backup if I needed it.

"Then consider this me asking."

☢

A/N- Another chapter with Bomber! How I love writing him.

This was a bit of a filler chapter, but things are going to be picking up soon. I promise :)

Tell me what you think of all the characters so far. I love to hear your opinions.