Chance: An Action & Adventure Romance Novel (Sacrifice) (6 page)

Aiden steps into Angelo's room and takes a look at the file spread out across his desk. He's never seen so many 'N/A' fields on a report in his life. “Fuckin' shit man, either this chick seriously does not want to be found or we need some better employees.”

Angelo chuckles and nods in agreement. He shifts through the paperwork and hands Aiden the only photo in the entire file. The photo is in black and white and looks as if it's from a security camera. It's a profile shot of a woman, but aside from the quality being shit it was obvious the girl did not want to be identified. She was wearing a leather jacket over a hooded sweatshirt. The hood was up hiding the majority of her face and she had a pair of aviators on. The only thing truly discernible about her was that she had full lips and had a fair complexion.

“
There's a witness report that said she dropped a guy three times her size. Apparently this bitch has some moves like we've never seen and she's on some vigilante shit. Witness also said she had brown hair, looked to weigh about a buck twenty and was around five-five or five-six.”

 
“
So, what's her alias?”

Angelo shifts through the papers once more and skims over it with a finger before leaning back in his chair. “Smoke. Not sure why but the witness said as quickly as she appeared she was gone.” From the sounds of it they definitely wanted this girl on their side.

“Keep looking, if anyone can find her it'll be you and we could really use her.”

Angelo chuckles at Aiden’s authoritative tone and nods his head. “You got it boss.”

Wandering back into the hall Aiden finds his thoughts drifting back to the beautiful woman who fell asleep in his arms. There was truly something strange about her but even with his incredible judge of character he couldn't seem to keep her at arm’s length. There was just an overwhelming urge to protect her. Aiden was logical enough to know that these thoughts really made no fucking sense but that doesn't mean he didn't acknowledge the truth in them.

Aiden flicks the lights on in the training facility and immediately takes his shirt into his hands and pulls it up over his head. He knew he should go into the locker room to change into his regular gym clothes, but at the moment he just needed to work out his pent up energy. He chuckles to himself thinking 'Yeah energy' as he makes his way over to the
heavy bag suspended from the ceiling. After taping up his hands, he lays into the bag with relentless fist throws that cause the bag to bow out and swing towards him.

Just as his knuckles begin to get sore his phone chimes in his pocket halting his next blow in mid air. Sighing heavily he pulls his phone from his pocket and see's that he has a new message from their director. Aaron Feliciano was the middle man between Aiden’s team and the Order. This way if they were ever fully compromised, The Sapient couldn't get to the inner circle. Hell, even Aiden didn't fully know who was in the inner circle. The message was short but it was something that caused Aiden to groan out loud and raise his eyes to the ceiling in silent prayer.

“
Al Rosenvelt arrives at 0800
.”

Al Rosenvelt may very well be the bane of Aiden’s existence, when he was around at least... The sad part being the man was brilliant, absolutely brilliant.  However, as with most geniuses, he was also fucking whacked. There was a very high likelihood that something would blow up and/or spontaneously combust while he was present. Whenever you were around him you had to constantly be on guard but Aiden knew that if the Order was sending him they obviously had a good reason. Aiden just has to refrain from strangling him and all would be well.

The next morning at 0800 Aiden watches as a shiny black Escalade pulls into garage. Al steps out and a smile spreads across his face.  A smile Aiden knew all too well.  A smile that meant he brought his toys.

“Fuck.” Aiden mutters under his breath as Al walks towards him, two duffel bags hanging from both shoulders.

“Long time no see, Rippy.”

Aiden gritted his teeth at the annoying nickname Al had given him. “Not long enough, Radio. Not long enough.”

Al barks out a laugh that even Aiden had to admit was contagious but he simply smiles in return. Aiden often referred to Al as Radio because several months ago Al had been working with radio frequencies using himself as the test subject resulting in Al nearly passing out whenever someone turned on a radio.

“
So where's my little Chasca?” Al asked grinning while staring ahead at the compound.

“She's
inside; though I wouldn't let Takeo hear you call her that.”

Al chuckles and shrugs his shoulders as if Takeo's massive form didn't intimidate him in the slightest. Since the day Chasca and Al met they were instant friends.  Her foul mouth
and quick wit mixed with Al's insanity and stroke of genius made for some hilarious interactions.

“
RAAAADDDIIIOOO!!” They both hear screams from inside the compound as they both froze just inside the door of compound. Soft but rapid footfalls cause Aiden to take a large step to the side being as he knew what was coming next. Chasca rounds the corner and throws herself at Al in an embrace so intense they both slam into the door. Aiden shakes his head smiling at how happy his very presence makes Chasca and looks up to see both Takeo and Angelo grinning at her as well. The smile fades slowly from Aiden’s lips as he notices Dora standing partially hidden behind Takeo's bulk, taking in the scene with sad eyes.

Al puts Chasca down on her feet and lightly taps the tip of her nose with one finger in obvious affection and Chasca smiles back at him. Al tilts his head to the side and smiles at Dora. “And who is this beautiful creature?”

Dora takes a hesitant step forward and offers him a small smile. “Hi... I'm Dora.”

A flash of recognition flares in Al's eyes but he immediately locks it down. “Well Dora, you like kittens?” Dora looks completely confused at his random question and her brows snap together. “Kittens? Yeah... I mean... I think I do. I...” She doesn't get a chance to finish because he reaches into his bag and pulls out something shaped like an egg. Aiden, Takeo and Angelo visibly brace and Al motions for Dora to come forward.

When Dora reaches him, Al takes her hand placing the egg in the center of her palm. Al grins up at her and whispers, “Speak to it.”

Dora raises an eyebrow and softly whispers, “Hello,” to the egg shaped object in her palm. The egg instantly splits, twists and turns, until finally a tiny robotic kitten stands in Dora's hand. Chasca and Dora are both staring open mouthed at the tiny robot and even Aiden has to admit he was a little impressed, especially when the robot looks up at Dora and
in a ridiculously adorable voice asks, “Momma?” The girls gasp and Angelo bursts out laughing.

“
It... It can talk?” Dora asks clearly floored by the robot.

“Sure it can, you can hold conversations with it if you want. Just no baths for this little guy.” Al zones out for a moment and continues muttering “Learned that the hard way.” Both girls laugh and the men simply shake their heads at Al's ridiculousness.

Angelo steps forward and takes one of Al's bags. “C'mon man, let’s get you set up so you can do what you're here to do.”

Al follows Angelo and Aiden walks up next to Dora. Standing with Takeo, Chasca and Dora, Aiden watches them walk away and turns to Takeo. “Got any idea why he's here?”

Takeo doesn't move a muscle and replies in short, “nope.” Takeo tucks Chasca into his side and they head into the living room.

Aiden turns to Dora a moment later. “Like your new friend?”

Dora smiles brightly up at him damn near causing his heart to stop. “Very much.”

Aiden smiles warmly back at her and nods his head once. “Good.” Dora moves towards the kitchen and Aiden watches her walk away and comes to a realization, “I'm fucked.”

Chapter Six

Smoke

Aim. Breathe. Execute.

I took the shot and heard the glass shatter.  I watched as my target, a monster of a man, crumbled to the floor and took his last breath.

Justice
.

I pack my sniper rifle away and hoist it onto my shoulder. The building I chose was mostly abandoned with the exception of the homeless people residin' here but they didn't give a fuck about me. It was just after ten at night and I knew gettin' my weapon into my car could be tricky, but most people aren't goin' to assume a small girl like me would be wieldin' any weapons, let alone a sniper rifle. Poppin' open my trunk I toss the rifle in and climb behind the wheel of my car. Takin' a deep breath I stare at the skyline in front of me.  This city is still so corrupted but I know I'm goin' to have to move on soon. It's almost time. Glancin' in my rear view mirror I see the familiar black SUV that I've seen around a lot lately. It didn't take me but a day to figure out the Italian hottie inside was looking for me, but he had another thing comin'. He ain't gonna find me. I'm only parked three cars ahead of him and that fool has no clue I'm here. Part of me wants to fuck with him but the survivalist in me knows I need to turn tail and get the fuck out of here. But I don't.

Okay, granted this dude was hot and I mean fuck, like cover of GQ hot, but never before in my life had I seen hotness like this. So I guess it ain't a shock I sat there like an idiot and watched him stroll carelessly into the park across the street. A park that I've hunted in many times. A park that is inhabited by scumbags, douche bags and any bag of the asshole variety.

Goddamn it.

Reachin' under my seat I pull out my glocks and strap on my thigh holsters with the extra magazines. Slidin' out of my car I briefly wonder if this is a set up but quickly realize that I can't risk someone innocent gettin' dead because I'm paranoid. The lighting in the park is shit but lucky for me my eyesight is not. In fact it’s incredible as is my hearing and reflexes.

Lucky me, huh?

Stickin' to the tree line, I watch as the unknown heartthrob walks towards a fountain at the center of a walkway. He's starin' down at his phone now and I find myself wonderin' if he's straight up stupid or distracted by some chick textin' him. It's then I notice somethin'.  Somethin' I should have seen from the start. He's packin', not a gun but a sword, I can't really tell what kind because it's in a sheath, but this dude is seriously walkin' around with a sword on his hip.

Who does that?

In the shadows roughly fifty yards from him I see the flash of silver that I've become all too familiar with. A gun. A muscle tenses in the hotties cheek and I know he's got his teeth clenched. He knows they're there too. Then everything goes to shit. Four Sapient come from two directions.  One fires off two shots towards the Italian, but he quickly hits the ground. It was a smart move but at the same time it was so very stupid. The other three launch themselves on him takin' him to the ground. Now, usually I'm very calm and collected in these situations but at the moment the only thing I knew for sure was I had to help him. Not just because he was seemingly innocent, but for a bigger reason.  Something profound but what? The fuck if I knew.

Safety off, cocked. Play time.

I fire three shots while steppin' out of the shadows. Thigh, Shoulder, Knee. Not fatal wounds but enough to give the Italian some breathin' room. The hottie quickly jumps to his feet as the three Sapient are writhin' on the ground in pain. His eyes meet mine but I don't lower my weapons. I keep them on
him
.  I don't know this dude and even though he's hot, I can't trust him.

“
Smoke?” The Italian says and the fact that he knows my street name tells me this was a set up.

“
You're a fuckin' fool.” I say through clenched teeth. I don't like being played, especially when all I was tryin' to do was help.

“
''Scuse me? You wanna run that by me one more time?”

“
Yeah, with pleasure. You're a fuckin' moron. I shoulda' let those fuckers off you.”

The hottie throws his head back and laughs. Actually
laughs
and unsheathes his sword. He decapitates the three Sapient on the ground and wipes the blood from the blade. He wipes the blood on a jacket one of the dead Sapient is wearin' and sheathes his weapon before locking eyes with me once more.

“
Gotta tell you, don't you feel real stupid right now considerin' I'm still standin' and you didn't figure out sooner I was playin' you? You wanna keep talkin' 'bout whose stupid?”

Grittin’ my teeth I remain silent makin' it clear I had nothin' else to say. Even if he was bein' an asshole he was still right. He played me, but I fell for it. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a white business card that only had
The Order
and a phone number on it. He extends it to me and nods towards the card.

“
We've been lookin' for you. Want you to work with us. Take the card. Think about it.”