Till Deceived Do We Part

My hands gripped the wheel tighter, turning my knuckles tighter. My swim suit was in the bag in the trunk, and at the moment, I was turning into the driveway at the pool. I was already a little late, and I was considering turning around. I wanted to be with him so bad... but Jake’s words kept ringing through me head. The guilt was so much, especially when I thought about Dane’s father.

I barely stopped in time to avoid a truck. Horns burned my ears and a finger met my eyes from the driver. I shot him a deadly glare, causing his truck to momentarily stall before he quickly left. Letting out a breath, I pulled in and set the car in reverse.

After sitting there for at least five minutes, I got out. I wouldn’t hurt Dane like this, I said I would be here, so I would. If I got the courage to break up with him afterwards, I would. But were we even together? It wasn’t official yet...

I got out of the car and grabbed my bag. I wonder if he’ll be waiting for me, or if he’s already in the pool? I entered the building and headed for the desk, ready to pay. Just as I almost arrived, a arm slunk around my waist and lips pressed against my cheek, causing my stomach to flip and my heart to stop. Glancing briefly at Dane, I tried to hide the blush.

“You’re late,” he murmured in my ear. Shivers ran down my spine and I pulled away from him and surveyed what he was wearing. He wore jeans that were falling down slightly and a baggy black band shirt. His hair was messed up and he looked happy, whether to see me, or if he was always like that, I didn’t know. I hadn’t actually seen him in a bad mood yet, and I was weirded out by the thought. He was also holding onto a pair of black and red swim trunks.

“Sorry,” I mumbled sheepishly. I was still apprehensive about this. But why did I say sorry? That was a rare occasion on my behalf, yet here I was saying it to him without a second thought.

He smiled brightly at me before pulling me against him, his arm around my waist and my chest now against his. His lips brushed mine, causing my eyes to close. He pulled back and smirked as I re-opened my eyes and sent him a small glare. I didn’t want to scare him with my real glare.

“Come on.” He turned to the desk and paid for both of us before I could object. “You owe me.” He said with a smirk before heading over to the mens changing room. I rolled my eyes and headed to the woman’s changing room. Not even five minutes with him and I was already giddy. What was wrong with me?

I hated bikini’s, with a passion. They were cruel things that should die a painful death. At the moment I was wearing a blue one with a few random gems on the top. Wasn’t my choice, not even close. Flint had picked it out, go figure.

Now, I have a nice body. Decent sized boobs, a well toned mid section and toned, but not overly bulky, legs, but that didn’t mean I wanted men gawking at me. So when I left the change room, I wasn’t surprised when I turned some heads. I ignored all of them and searched for Dane. I soon caught him, leaning against the wall where the water fountain was. Girls in the pool kept glancing at him and giggling, and I couldn’t help but smile. He looked almost horrified, so I wasn’t the only one. Good to know.

I snuck up on him before jumping. He stood up straight, some shock on his face before his eyes travelled my body. I figured he would do that, so while he did, and while I tried not to hit him, I did the same. He was toned and it made my knees weak. He had muscle all over, but not bulky. It was perfect, especially his abs. I almost drooled before remembering who I was.

His eyes then met mine and he stepped closer, bringing his body almost right against me. His hands then slid around my waist and he began to walk, me against him.

“I didn’t know you were so in shape,” he breathed. “But it’s such a turn on.” Before I could respond, our bodies suddenly dropped... into the water. I didn’t even have time to make a sound before we went under the water. I surfaced, Dane’s arms still around me. I spat water out of my mouth, purposely on him, before glaring.

“What was that for?!” He just smiled before pushing me against the side of the pool, his body against mine. I was barely able to keep my feet on the ground due to the depth. I was on my toes. His body pressed harder and his lips once again crashed against mine. This time I could feel the intensity, feel the need.

I gave in, for a moment before revenge came to mind. Now, not revenge in my usual sadistic way, but revenge for him dropping me in the pool and making me look very ungraceful. I slid my one hand down his abs, going to his waist band. I felt him tense, I felt him pause momentarily... and I felt the passion now in the kiss. I went a little lower and it actually caused him to stop kissing for a second. I took that opportunity to push him aside and dive. I surfaced a ways away and turned to him, my breathing slightly shallow. He was staring at me, a look of shock and slight embarrassment on his face. It then turned to recognition as he realized what I had done. He scowled and mumbled something I couldn’t hear.

I tilted my head to the side, smiled then dove farther away from him. I avoided him for a while, then to my surprise, he caught me. He slammed me against the side again... well not too hard, but not as gentle as last time. I couldn’t help but let out a gasp, especially when his lips met mine again... roughly. My arms wrapped around his neck and I returned the kiss, arching into him.

I don’t know how long went by, but soon a voice was being cleared. We separated and both looked up to see a life guard looking slightly flushed.

“You two will have to cease... making out since there are little kids present.” I saw Dane stifle his laugh but he nodded and the life guard walked away. Dane then let out a laugh before hugging me around the waist and spinning me.

His head then lowered and leant against my forehead, his eyes staring into mine.

I stared back and was about to get lost into them when a new lifeguard came. Couldn’t they just leave us alone?! We weren’t doing anything wrong, and I’m sure we were old enough to make our own decisions. This time, however, the lifeguard was a female.

“Miss, you have a phone call.” My smile slid off my face and I frowned. Dane, however looked intrigued. Before he could ask anything, I mumbled I would only be a minute and got up.

Who would call me? And how would they know I was here? I didn’t tell anyone. My mind felt as if it would explode any second. This was not good. What if Jake had found out? What if he was furious? Or what if Flint found out and this would be his blackmail? Damn it! Dane gave me a questionable look as I began to walk away, and the best I could do was just give him a small smile.

My feet carried me fast to the front desk where the phone was off the hook. The woman there eyed me for a moment, most likely due to how I was dripping wet in a bikini. I didn’t bother apologizing, I didn’t know the woman. I wouldn’t bother being nice.

She handed me the phone slowly, as if I would bite. But biting isn’t my style. Give me a gun or a dagger, or even both, then you have something to be cautious about. But that was me. Everyone knew to be cautious around me, and those who didn’t, learned fast.

“Hello?” I said into the receiver, going as far as the cord would allow.

“Drake? We need you back at the base.” It was Jake’s voice. Ah shit. “And may I suggest using our pool next time you need to relax.” So he didn’t know? Now I was confused, how did he know where I was yet not know that I was with someone?

“How did y-“

”The cars GPS. You don’t think after the last incident with my cars I would allow them to be untraceable, now do you?” He paused before continuing, not giving me a chance to speak. “This is an emergency, Drake. You know I would usually wait till you got back to ask for your assistance.” That was true. Jake would always wait for me if he needed me. If I wasn’t there, he knew I would be back soon and wait. Sometimes I would take hours, one time I even took two days, but he waited. Because he knew I would be back, and when I was, I would do as he needed. So I knew that if he called me, when I wasn’t answering my cell phone, and resorted to tracking me down through a GPS, then it was important.

“Fifteen minutes is the fastest I can be there.”

“Alright. But Drake, keep your cell on and be cautious.” When am I not cautious? Okay, that was too strong of a lie even for me. What was there to be cautious about? I wanted to ask, but I knew the line wouldn’t be safe.

We said our byes and I handed the phone back to the woman who, not subtly, had been eavesdropping. I shot her a glare, leaving her mouth agape for a moment, before turning back to the pool.

My gut lurched. Now I had to leave Dane... damn. And right when we were having fun. I hurried back. I wanted to get back to the base as soon as I could. Something was up, and I wanted to know what.

The smell of chlorine hit me as I pushed the doors to the pool back open. I spotted Dane immediately, standing off to the side leaning against the wall. His eyes met mine immediately, obviously he had been waiting for me. Despite my curiosity to know what was going on, my stomach couldn’t help but flip. I let out a deep breath as I headed towards him. He pushed off the wall and headed towards me also. Now add some music and slow motion and we have ourselves a cheesey love movie! Gag me now, please.

“Everything okay?” He asked, when reaching me, his arms circling around me. I think I lost the ability to breath for a few seconds, but it soon came back to me.

“I have to go.” I said, almost reluctantly. Almost being the key word... oh heck, who am I trying to fool. I was reluctant to say it. I’ll admit, I have nothing to hide... besides the whole killing people for a living thing.

A frown appeared on his face and I had to turn away. I didn’t like his reaction, but worse, I didn’t like my reaction to his reaction.

“Why?” I should have seen his coming. Why hadn’t I? It’s the most asked question yet I failed to realize he would say it when I was practically ditching him. Something was up with me... I think it was him. I’ll blame him for all my latest screw ups, but that doesn’t help me at all in the matter that I have to give him an answer. Even I didn’t know the answer. I could always tell the truth... in a sense.

“A really close friend, a guardian almost, needs my help. There’s an emergency.” It’s not too far from the truth... well, if you’re open minded it’s not. Dane frowned more now, had I been that bad at lying? I always thought I was good at lying. I told myself that everyday in the morning... not. I may not have been the best liar, but I was decent.

“Anything I can do to help?” ... did he just say that? I had always hated the phrase awww, but now as I stood in front of this man I had only known for a few days, I felt the urge to say it. Granted I held it back, no way I would show my new found girly side, but that didn’t stop my mind from saying it. And to make it worse, in my mind it had that girly voice to it. The one I had always hated with a passion.

“Afraid not. Thanks for the offer.” I paused, and reluctantly, I’ll admit it right away this time, pulled away from him. “I’m sorry.” He gave me a smile now, though it held some sadness. Why was he sad?

“Forget about it. I’ll call you, okay?” I nodded with a smile before turning.

I blew out a breath and clenched and unclenched my fists on the wheel. My hair was dried, my bathing suit was in the trunk, and I was now on my way back to the base. If I kept up my speeding, like I usually did, I would be there in five minutes.

My eyes glanced briefly at my phone that lay on the passenger seat. I left it out for Jake, he seemed tense and nervous on the phone. I would calm his nerves by following his instructions.

I turned the wheel as I rounded the corner, slowing down slightly so not to flip the car. I was half way to the next corner turn when flashing lights and sirens hit my ears. Closing my eyes briefly I wished for the police to be passing me, not stopping me. This wasn’t what I needed. I really didn’t need this now. How was this fair? There were so many worse people in the world, and I, coming back from a date, get caught by the police? This is bull.

I slowed, and to my horror, the police car did also. I had my usually gun on me and a few daggers. They weren’t exactly hidden and if the car was searched only briefly they would most likely be found. Damn it. I had an urge to phone Jake right then, and a gut feeling told me I should, but I pushed it aside. I was being paranoid. This was a speeding ticket, they have no right to search. They would need a search warrant. I knew my rights... only because Jake insisted we know them. He said if we knew them, there would be less chance of them finding out what we do. For if we do get caught in an unwanted time, then we could use the law against them.

I stopped the car completely and put into park. The police car parked behind me and a man stepped out. Okay, breath. It was just a ticket, and if worse came to worse, all I had to do was flirt. Sure it was sickening, but it tended to work. Plus, I could always kill him... but that would probably haunt my conscious. I wouldn’t hear the end of it, assassin kills local police man due to a speeding ticket.

I rolled down my window and glanced back now, the officer was almost there. I frowned now. He was... really tall. About 6'3 and he looked stronger than most officers. He wasn’t fat... he was built. He was wearing the traditional uniform with the usual gun on his side, along with that beating stick and a flashlight. He had shades on and his hair was short and spiky, holding the colour of a dark brown. He walked with confidence, and I knew then, that something wasn’t right. Something in my gut.

He reached the window and leaned down on it, resting his arms on the frame. I gave a weak smile, feigning innocence. I may think something was up, but it could just be nerves. I wasn’t thinking properly with everything happening with Dane. I wouldn’t give myself away by jumping to conclusions.

“Good-day, miss.” He said. His voice almost made my smile fall, but not completely. The voice sounded familiar... I knew that I had either heard that voice, or the very same accent.

“Officer,” I said with a small smile, dipping my head slightly. The officer surveyed me some more, and I knew, though I couldn’t see his eyes through the shades, that he wasn’t checking me out. There was something more to this... and the fact he failed to mention the speeding ticket hit me hard. This wasn’t right.

My arm shot out for my gun just as his hand shot out for my neck. Unfortunately to say, he beat me to it. Just as my fingers brushed the handle of my gun, his hand gripped my throat and slammed my head back into my seat rest, pulling my hand out of reach of the gun.

I held my breath. I learned that struggling for air makes you lose air faster, and that holding your breath will actually be less painful. But his grip didn’t help too much, but who knew, it could’ve been worse, right? ... if it rains I will have to shoot someone.

His grip loosened slightly as his other hand reached for my gun. No. No one touched my gun, no one. I struggled now, attempting to flip my body, kicking him in the face. But no, that didn’t work. I miss judged my room and ended up almost kicking the car roof. Before I could fix my mistake with a harder kick, the seat belt was ripped off of me and I was pulled out the car window.

My body slammed onto the asphalt and I didn’t wait to roll. I managed to roll away from the foot that was slammed down, aimed for my back, but I didn’t miss the second one. His foot slammed down on my chest and I could have sworn I heard something crack.

Was this what Jake had meant by being cautious? If so, why the hell didn’t he send me a guard. I may not have liked them, but it beat getting stomped on the chest. That was a low blow, it would be like me kicking him in the balls. I would only resort to that if it was all I had left I could do, but this man had the upper hand. He didn’t need to resort to chest stomping.

My lungs burned for air, and despite the foot pressing down on my chest, I took a couple of gulps of air. The man, though I could call him a few more colourful words, glanced around quickly, as if making sure no one was there to watch. Great. This was just peachy.

I felt something sticky around the back of my head, and it was then that I realized I must have hit my head when pulled out of the window. I had been more concerned with getting away and getting oxygen in me that I hadn’t realized... now I did though. It wasn’t a fatal blow, if treated, but it did start to bleed. It wasn’t bleeding profusely nor was it bleeding only a little. It was in-between. But with my already hurting chest and burning lungs, it didn’t help. Ah shit. This so wasn’t fair. Why hadn’t I re-strapped my daggers to myself? At least then I would have a weapon.

“Andrayka Angiol, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”