Safe Travels

by Alex Dafney

  Callie bolts to the front. “Hold on! They have to know I brought ya’ll!” I roll my eyes. Who the hell needs friends like that? Cooper grips my hand in his as we wait for everyone to step off the bus. When it’s our turn he goes first, helping me down the few steps to the ground. He hooks his arm around my waist, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “You are not to leave my side tonight.” I glance up at him with a raised eyebrow and an obviously annoyed look.

  He stops in the middle of the yard, stepping in front of me as he grips both of my hands in his and lowers his head to whisper. “I’m not saying that to be a Neanderthal. This is the first time we’ve left the compound since my team was attacked. The Hunters know we’ve found each other and if they find one of us alone, it could be bad.” I give him a bit of a smile as I nod, instantly feeling bad for thinking he was being a jerk.

  We walk up the steps of the antebellum style home, the music inside spilling onto the porch where our teams wait for us. Callie gives the girl at the door a tense hug. “I brought a few friends, hope that’s alright.” She says with a little waver to her voice. The girl wears a sorority T-shirt and a denim skirt with her hair in braided pigtails. She looks each person of our group up and down.

  Raven takes a step forward, looking the girl up and down with a scowl and her arms folded across her chest. “We going in, or what?” The girl holds out her hand with an annoyed sigh. “Ten dollars each.” Raven rolls her eyes as she huffs. “I could be in a club in Amsterdam right now.” I choke back a giggle as Cooper pulls a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet, handing it to her. She gives him a flirtatious smile as she takes it from his hand.

  I roll my eyes as she opens the door, gesturing for us to go in. Callie bounds in first, followed by the rest of our group. Raven is in front of Cooper and I at the end of the line. Mine hand in his. The girl places her hand on Cooper’s chest, tossing her hair over her shoulder in an attempt to be seductive. “Save me a dance, handsome.” Raven snaps her head around, gripping the girl’s wrist and turning it lightly. “You should hold your breath until that happens.” She pushes the girl’s hand toward her as she stares in shock.

  Raven winks at me before turning and walking in the house. We follow behind Callie to a table set up with alcohol in the kitchen, each of us making a drink and standing around sipping said drinks. Micah and Callie head into the living room together to dance. Raven huffs as she looks around. “I thought we were promised hot guys. This night is going to blow.” She says as she tosses back the remainder of her drink, quickly fixing a new one. I find Ryder’s eyes and nod my head toward Raven. He takes the hint. “Come on, Rave. Dance with me.”

  She gives him an appraising look up and down before shrugging her shoulders. “Whatever.” She says as she flips her long black hair over her shoulder and struts into the living room as he follows behind. Dom steps over to Callie, offering his hand. “Dance with me, Cher?” His Louisiana accent thick. Callie wiggles excitedly before accepting his hand and throwing me an excited glance before exiting the room.

  Zane catches the eye of one of the sorority girls across the room. “I’ll catch you guys later.” He says as he strides away, leaving Cooper, Grant, Reese and I. Cooper looks around the room nervously. I squeeze his hand in mine. “We’re good, Coop. We’re all watching out for each other. Relax.” He gives me a half smile as Grant steps forward, offering me his hand. “Dance with me, Poppet?”

  We make our way to the living room, next to Raven and Ryder who are grinding against each other. I raise an eyebrow as I motion my head to them. Grant laughs. “I wish they’d just get on with it.” I throw my head back laughing as we start dancing. We dance to a few songs before the music changes course to a slow song. Grant places one hand on my hip and the other in my hand, leading me into a classic waltz.

  I tilt my head slightly with a large grin. “You’re quite the dancer.” He shrugs one shoulder as he spins me out, pulling me back at the precise moment. “Lessons, poppet. Every respectable young man should learn to dance.” I chuckle lightly before catching sight of Raven and Ryder next to us. I tilt my head for Grant to look as well. They look like a couple of kids at a middle school dance, making out as they slowly sway to the music.

  I turn as I feel a light tap on my shoulder. Cooper stands giving me a loving smile with Reese next to him, looking at Grant. “Can we cut in?” I smile brightly as Cooper offers me his hand. Grant steps over to Reese as Cooper lowers his hands to my hips. I link my arms around his neck, swaying back and forth to the music. He lowers his head to mine, giving me a lingering, sweet kiss.

  As he pulls back, his eyes burn into mine. “I love you, Ophelia.” I stop moving, my eyes widening and my mouth parting slightly. He lifts one hand, placing it on the side of my face, running his thumb along my cheek bone while smiling down at me. “I know it’s probably too soon to say, and this isn’t the best place to say it, but I do.” I blink rapidly up at him, trying to steady my racing heart. I pull him down to me with my hand behind his neck, my lips meeting his. I pause briefly during our kiss, whispering against his lips. “I love you too, Coop.”

  His hand on my waist tightens as he pulls me tighter to him, cupping his hand behind my head and kissing me harder. He pulls back giving me that grin that I love so much. “That makes me the luckiest man in all of time.” I give him an affectionate smile as I shrug one shoulder. “Yeah. Pretty much.” He chuckles as he leans in to place his lips on mine sweetly.

  A shiver runs up my spine and the hair on the back of my neck rises. I pull away from him, quickly scanning the room. “We need to go.” Cooper says anxiously. He grips my hand tightly, pulling me close to him as we make our way through the dancing bodies toward Grant and Reese. Reese’s eyes find mine first and he simply nods, before stepping over to Raven and Ryder. Cooper pulls me behind him toward the kitchen where we find Zane, Dom and Callie. Dom takes one look at us and stands up straighter, looking around the room quickly. The others join us in the kitchen, all with looks of worry on their face.

  “What’s wrong?” Ryder asks quietly. I shake my head. “I don’t know. I just got this overwhelming sense that something is about to go wrong.” Raven sighs as she throws her head back. “God forbid we have a little fun tonight.” Cooper shoots her a glare. “Don’t start, Raven. I felt it too. It’s time to go.” Callie places her hand on my arm. “Is everything alright?” I shake my head lightly. “I’m sorry, Cal. We’ve got to go though. Something’s not right.”

  She nods quickly. “Okay. We can go back to my place and ya’ll can leave from there.” Cooper pulls me along behind him toward the front door that we entered. He stops short and I plow into his back. I peek around him to find three men in black hoodies coming through the door. The sense of dread washes over me again as their eyes lock on usI. Cooper spins quickly, pulling me along side him as Dom, Zane, Ryder, and Raven form a semicircle behind us as we all move toward the stairs.

  We all file into an empty bedroom. “Take us back to our place. Now.” Cooper says quietly. I don’t hesitate as I close my eyes and transport us back to our living room. As soon as we arrive, I sit on the edge of the couch and let out a long breath. Cooper paces in front of the TV as the rest of the group takes a seat where they can. “What the fuck?” Zane huffs as he flops down next to me. Cooper shakes his head lightly. “How the hell did the Hunters find us so quickly, and in the present?”

  “Uh, should we be talking about this in front of the normal?” Raven says as she hooks a thumb toward Callie. I glance over to Callie who looks like she’s seen a ghost. “She knows everything. It’s fine.” Dom steps over to Callie, placing his arm around her shoulders and leading her to the loveseat.

  Charlie stands up, facing the group with a slight scowl. “Did any of you tell where we were going?” Everyone shakes their heads or verbalizes ‘no’. Cooper turns to her. “Are you trying to say that someone here tipped off the Hunters?” She folds her arms over her chest with her forehead pinched. “It makes sense. I mea
n, I know it wasn’t our team.”

  My mouth drops open at her accusation as the guys on Cooper’s team all grumble. Zane stands up quickly. “Fuck that. We’ve been here a hell of a lot longer than you, or your team. Why the hell would any one of us give Cooper over to the Hunters?” Charlie gives a slight shrug. “Seems like that’s exactly what happened on your last mission.” Zane’s face turns as red as a beet while my mouth hits the floor.

  “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Charlie. You’ve never even been on a mission.” Ryder says as he stands from his spot on the couch next to Raven. He steps over to Zane, placing his hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have the slightest idea what we’ve been through over the past three years.” Ryder pushes past Charlie, heading straight for the door, Zane following behind him.

  Grant stands, brushing past Charlie with a scowl as Reese stands, calling after him. Grant turns with his brow knitted. “I just need some time alone, chap.” He turns, walking out the door as Reese sits back on the couch, placing his head in his hands. Micah stands, walking by Charlie without so much as a glance. She reaches out, gripping his wrist. “Micah, I didn’t mean you.” He shakes his head, still avoiding looking at her. “If you didn’t mean me, you meant one of my brothers.” He shrugs as his eyes lock with Cooper’s. “Same thing.” He shrugs his arm away from her, walking to the door, and slamming it closed behind him.

  I look over to Cooper, still in disbelief of what the hell just happened. “Coop.” I say as I start to stand. He holds up his hand. “I’m going to go be with my team for a while.” His eyes lock with mine before he turns and walks out the door as I stare behind him.

  Charlie flops down on the couch next to Raven. “Way to clear a room, Charlie.” Dom says with a humorless chuckle. She looks around at the four of us. “It only makes sense that one of them told someone where we would be.” She points to herself. “I know I didn’t, and it couldn’t be any of you.” I place my fingers to my temples as I close my eyes. “What do you think, O?” Reese asks from next to me.

  I look over to him. “I don’t think any of them would betray one another.” Raven scoffs. “Then that means you think it’s one of us.” She says as she gestures her hand to the rest of the team. I shake my head quickly. “No. That’s not what I’m saying at all.” I pinch my eyes shut as I sigh. “You still don’t trust us, do you?” She asks with vengeance in her voice.

  I keep my eyes closed, remembering Gamma’s vision of a betrayal made by someone on my team. I open my eyes to find her jump up, scowling at me. “You know what? Fuck this! I don’t think their team would do this either, but I at least have the balls to say I don’t think our team did either, unlike our loyal leader.” I stand as she rushes toward the door. “Rave, I didn’t…” She slams the door behind her before I can even finish.

  Charlie stands, flipping her pigtails behind her as she glares at me before leaving too. I look at Dom and Reese as anger, and sadness swirl through me. “Go. You both know you want to.” My eyes well with tears as they both stand. I’ve been working so hard to bring this team together all for it to collapse in one night. Reese walks toward the door as he shakes his head, pausing with his hand on the door handle. “I don’t think they would do this, and I don’t think our team would either. There has to be something we’re missing.” I nod as he steps outside, closing the door behind him.

  A tear slips down my cheek, and I quickly brush it away. Dom steps over, pulling me against his chest as another tear slides down my cheek. “This will all blow over and everything will be back to normal before you know it.” I nod against his chest, even though I don’t believe a word he’s saying. Once he leaves, I sit back on the couch, sighing loudly. “Are you alright, O?”

  I look over to Callie. I’d forgotten she was still here. “No. Now my team is against me, and then there’s Cooper.” I sigh again as fresh tears threaten my eyes. I shake my head slightly as I stand. “Come on. I should get you home.” She nods as she unfolds her legs from underneath her, standing and gripping my hand.

  I quickly shift Callie to her apartment, promising I’ll call her in the next few days to catch up. I shift myself back to mine and Cooper’s house, hoping to find him there. “Coop?” I call as I walk through the living room toward the stairs. I reach my bedroom, the one we have shared for weeks, only to find it empty as well.

  My shoulders fall as I walk into the room, falling back on the bed and covering my face with my hands. After sulking for a few minutes, I sit up, glancing toward the closet. I walk into the closet, standing on my tip toes to get my travel box from the top shelf. I flip it open and grab the locket my Mom had given me, running my thumb along the intricate design on the face. I know I shouldn’t be going out in time, alone, but I take a deep breath as I quickly shift to visit with my Dad.

  I materialize on the front porch of his tiny farmhouse, knocking on the door lightly. He pulls the door open and I’m greeted with a wide smile as he gestures for me to come inside. “Come on in, kiddo.” I step inside, walking straight to the small kitchen table as he pours us both coffees. He sits across from me after placing a coffee cup in front of me. “What brings you?” I look up to Dad with a sad smile. “Things got kind of crazy tonight.”

  I explain to him that Cooper and my team have all gotten rather close, that Charlie accused them of being in cohorts with the Hunters, and of Gamma’s vision of betrayal. He sits back after my long-winded spiel, letting out a long whistle. “Wow, kiddo. What are you going to do?” I shrug both of my shoulders. “I don’t know. I love Cooper. I don’t believe for one second his team would do anything like that. And my team, I trust them, but ever since Gamma told me of her vision, I can’t help but to be cautious.”

  He sits his cup on the table as he leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “Your team and Cooper’s team were the only ones to know where ya’ll were going tonight?” I nod as he shakes his head slightly with a pinched face. “I’m sorry to say, Ophelia, but I think there may be an informant amongst your teams.” My shoulders fall as I look at him with a sad expression. “But, who?”

  I leave Dad’s an hour or so later, promising to visit again soon. When I reappear in mine and Cooper’s house, it’s quiet. I grab my cell phone out of my purse on the kitchen table, checking my notifications. There’re a few texts, but the only one I care about is from Cooper. “I’ll be home later. Don’t wait up for me.” I sigh as I toss my phone on the table, heading for the stairs.

  I get ready for bed and turn the TV on, exhaustion hitting me. My eyes pop open when I feel the bed sag next to me. I blink rapidly, trying to clear the sleep from my eyes as Cooper wraps his arm around my waist. “Where have you been?” I whisper into the dark room. He sighs behind me and I can smell liquor on his breath. “I’ve been at Ryder and Zane’s house.”

  I roll to my other side so I’m facing him. “Are we okay?” I ask with a shaky breath. He rolls away from me and my heart sinks. The bedside lamp turns on and I squint at him. He sits back on the bed, resting his back on the headboard as I prop up on one hand behind me. He leans forward, placing both of his hands under my arms and lifts me effortlessly to straddle his lap.

  His eyes burn into mine. “I’m only going to say this once, Ophelia. I love you. A disagreement between our teams isn’t going to change that.” I tilt my head to the side with a half smile. “Charlie kind of ruined the night.” I let out a sigh as I fall forward, resting my cheek against his bare chest. “And the relationship between our teams.” He runs his hand along my back slowly.

  “I’ve actually spent most of the night thinking about what she said.” I lean back so I can look at him. “Yeah?” He nods as he brushes my hair behind my shoulder. “I think we may have a leak.” I swallow hard, thinking of Gamma’s warning and Dad’s proclamation. “Who do you think it is?” He shrugs as he gives me an apprehensive look. “I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s on my team, O.”

  I take a deep breath, letting it out sl
owly. “How do we find out for sure?” He places his hand on my cheek in a loving gesture. “We don’t. These sorts of things tend to show themselves. It could be a simple misunderstanding that someone mentioned we were going out to someone that they trust. I’m not necessarily saying someone on your team is to blame.” I nod as he gives me a small grin. Leaning forward, I press my lips to his, tasting the liquor on his breath. He moans when I take charge, deepening the kiss. I feel him growing between my legs that are straddling his waist.

  My heart beats quickly and my stomach flitters as I pull back, lifting my shirt over my head to expose my bare chest. His eyes widen briefly as he takes in the sight of my bare breast, before moving his darkened eyes back to mine. “Ophelia…” I cut him off by sealing my lips to his. His hands roam over my back as my breasts press firmly against his chest.

  He pulls back, dropping his lips to the side of my neck as he trails kisses down to my chest. “What are we doing, love?” He asks between kisses. I simply moan in response as his lips dance dangerously close to my breasts. Mine and Cooper’s relationship has intensified over the last month, with only one thing missing. I pull back from him and his eyes find mine. “I want you to be my first, Coop. My first and my only.” He lifts his hand to my cheek as I lean into his hand. “I want you to be my one and only too, love.”

  Chapter 16

  The next morning my eyes flutter open and a huge grin spreads across my face. I reach over to Cooper’s side of the bed but find it empty. I stretch as I remember every detail from the amazing night before. Swinging my legs over the bed I stand and head for the shower. Once I’ve showered and dressed for the day, I head downstairs to find Cooper in the kitchen. He smiles at me over his shoulder when he hears me coming up behind him. He passes me a coffee cup fixed just to my liking as he places a kiss on my forehead. “I was beginning to wonder if you were going to sleep the day away, love.” I glance at the clock on the stove, realizing it’s almost ten in the morning. “I guess I was worn out.” I give him a flirty smile.