by Alex Dafney
He leans back on the counter, pulling me to him. “You have good reason to be worn out.” I smirk against his chest as last night plays through my mind again. Looking up to him I ask his plans for the day. He gives a nonchalant shrug. “I was hoping to have you in bed all day.” I playfully swat his chest as he laughs. “What plans do you have?” He asks me.
I shake my head as I sip my coffee. “None. Well, I should probably try to speak with my team, but, ugh.” He tilts his head to the side giving a sympathetic half smile. “What happened after I left last night?” I sigh as I step away from him, leaning against the opposite counter. “Charlie and Raven stormed out when I said I didn’t believe someone on your team would turn on you.”
He gives a little nod. “They took that as you don’t trust them?” I roll my eyes. “Yep. Bing-freaking-O.” I let out a heavy sigh as I pinch my eyes shut. “I feel like I’ve busted my ass over the last few weeks to make us a team, and one night has ruined everything.” Cooper takes the few steps toward me, placing his hand on my hip. “I’ve changed my mind about our plans for the day. Get dressed for warmer weather while I grab a quick shower.” He turns and sprints up the stairs before I can say a word.
I finish my coffee and place the cup in the sink before heading upstairs to my bedroom. As I walk to my closet, I hear the shower turn off. Flipping through my clothes I call over my shoulder. “Hey, Coop?” He appears in the doorway a few seconds later, nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. I let my eyes wander over his body before meeting his eyes. He has a slight smirk that I roll my eyes at. “What should I wear?”
He steps in the closet, appraising my wardrobe before settling on a light blue, strapless summer dress that sits right above my knees. “Do you have anything you could wear over this?” I nod as I pull out a white button up cardigan. He walks out of the closet to get dressed as I do the same. I step out of the closet just as he enters the bedroom, wearing a pair of low riding jeans and a white T-shirt. “Ready, love?”
I walk over to him, expecting us to walk down the stairs when he holds up a tiny trinket of the Eiffel Tower. I look at it and then to him. “We’re going in time?” He nods as he grips my hand in his. “Ever been to the city of love?” I shake my head as an excited smile forms.
Cooper takes us through time, landing us in a small dark closet. I look around as he carefully opens the door. We step out and I realize we’re in a church. He laces his fingers through mine as I admire the arched ceiling and stained glass. “This place is beautiful.” I whisper, afraid my voice will echo in the tremendous room. He glances up. “Notre Dame Cathedral. Can you believe it was built in 1163?”
My eyes wander as we slowly walk toward the doors. Cooper pushes the door open and I’m greeted with warm air and sunshine. I let out a content sigh. “This is so much nicer than the icebox we live in.” He chuckles as he leads us away from the cathedral, toward the roadway. He quickly hales a cab and we get inside as he says something to the driver in French, then we’re on our way. “I didn’t know you could speak French.” He shrugs one shoulder. “I can’t. I know how to say three landmarks and that’s all.” He gives me a cute sideways grin.
After a short drive, the cab stops on a busy street filled with stores and cafes. Cooper hands him money and we get out of the car. We spend a while walking along, window shopping and taking in the scenery before we stop in front of a café that has bistro style tables set out front. He turns to me with a small smile. “Let’s grab something to eat before we head to the Eiffel Tower.” I nod in agreement as we sit down.
A waitress appears almost the instant we sit down, bringing waters and menus. She greets us in French and we both say ‘hello’. “Ah. English? What can I get for you?” I give her a bright smile when she speaks in a language we can understand. Cooper orders us both some kind of coffee and an assortment of croissants and spreads. We sit quietly as people stroll by us on the street.
He squeezes my hand under the table, and I look over to him. He nods to across the street. “Watch that couple over there.” I turn to look across the street, watching the couple across from us. They appear to be about the same age as Cooper and I. Suddenly the man drops to one knee as the woman looks down at him with her hand covering her mouth, her eyes wide. I can’t hear what he is saying, but I watch as the woman’s eyes fill with tears and she nods her head rapidly before dropping to her knees in front of him and slinging her arms around his neck without even glancing at the ring.
I blink back my own tears as I smile. After a few seconds of kissing the man stands, pulling her up with him and spinning her in a circle. I chuckle as I watch the two of them laughing and kissing. I look over to Cooper who has a sad expression on his face. Glancing back to the couple as they start to walk away, now I’m able to see the man’s face. He has the same features as Cooper. The dark hair, same muscular build, and square jaw.
Realization hits me and I sit forward, wrapping my arms around Cooper’s neck and placing a kiss to his cheek. “Is that your parents?” I ask quietly as I pull back. He simply nods in response as the waitress appears with our food. We sit silently for a few minutes as we both eat. I turn to him as I sit back with my coffee in hands. “Have you ever approached them here?”
He shakes his head as he sits back with his coffee, placing his hand on my thigh. “No. I don’t want to ruin this moment for them.” I let that roll around for a moment before turning back to him. “Have you seen them since they passed?” He runs a hand through his dark hair as he sighs. “No, I haven’t. When the Hunters took them, they also burned down our home. I have nothing left of our time together except for an Eiffel Tower trinket that they bought as a souvenir.”
My brow furrows as I think how lucky I am to be able to visit my Dad. “Have you ever tried to find friends of theirs that may have something?” He gives a shrug. “There’s no point, O. They’re gone.” I stay quiet for a moment, allowing him to sort out his thoughts. “They looked really happy together.” I say quietly as I glance at him from the corner of my eye. He gets a wistful grin as he nods slowly. “Yeah. They were.”
We leave the café after finishing our coffee and head for the Eiffel Tower. Finding a bench across the river from the tower, settling in to watch the sun set. Cooper wraps an arm around my shoulder as I lean against him. “I love you, Ophelia. I want to tell you that in every city in the world.” A sappy smile spreads across my face. “I love you, Coop.”
By the time we get home it’s late evening. I fall back on the couch as soon as our living room appears. “Traveling is exhausting”, I say as I roll to my back. Cooper chuckles as he crawls over me, placing his lips to mine. “I can think of something else to exhaust you.” I giggle lightly as he drops his lips to my neck, trailing soft kisses. A knock on the door causes him to groan as he drops his head to my shoulder.
He stands and walks across to the door as I sit up. Opening the door wider, Dom steps in carrying a brown paper bag. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.” I stand and walk toward them as I flip my hand. “Not at all.” Cooper pinches his brows at me, and I fight down a laugh as Dom looks between the two of us. “I can just go. I’ll see ya’ll tomorrow at training.” He says as he starts to move back to the door.
Cooper places a hand on his shoulder. “It’s fine, Dom. What brings you over?” Dom lets out a long sigh before raising the bag in his hand. “I brought food.” I take the bag from him and place it on the table before opening it. My mouth waters as I take in the smell. “Mmm. This smells amazing!” Cooper walks into the kitchen, grabbing each of us plates and utensils as I take out the numerous cartons of food.
We sit down together at the kitchen table and pass the food around. Once we all have some of the best Louisiana has to offer, I look over to Dom. “Why are you bringing us dinner tonight? Not that I’m complaining.” I say before shoving a big bite of etouffee in my mouth. He chuckles. “Well, I wasn’t going to bother ya’ll with everything that’s going on with the teams, but I litera
lly had no where else to eat in peace.”
I give him a quizzical look as he shakes his head and lets out an annoyed sigh. “Charlie showed up at Micah and Grant’s place earlier. They’ve been ‘making up’.” He uses air quotations as I shake my head. “Grant ended up at mine and Reese’s place, and I guess they’re making up as well. Either that or having a wrestling match.” I chuckle as I take another bite of the delicious food. “Sounds like the teams are making up at least.” Cooper says from across the table.
Dom scoffs. “Oh, it gets better. I went over to Zane and Ryder’s, hoping to chill there for a while. Zane has that sorority chick he met over, and Ryder is at Raven’s. I’m sure you can understand why I didn’t even try Raven’s place before coming here.” I snicker at the thought before popping my eyes open. “Wait. Zane has some random girl at his place?” I look over to Cooper who has a worried look on his face. “Uh, apparently she’s Society.” He looks over to Cooper with an impish grin. “Sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”
Cooper shrugs. “No worries. I’ll have to have a talk with him about bringing nonmembers around. I have Jim up my ass enough.” I nearly choke on my boudin ball as Dom throws his head back laughing. Once the moment passes, Dom gets a serious look on his face. “Do ya’ll really think someone on our team is an informant?” I wipe my mouth and sit back in my chair, glancing at Cooper before settling my eyes on Dom. “I think last night was a coincidence. I know ya’ll well enough to know that none of you would ever do something like that, and I know Cooper’s team would never betray him.” I look over to Cooper who gives me a slight nod of approval. “Charlie is going to have some major sucking up to do.” I finish with a slight shrug.
I push back from the table, taking my plate to the sink to rinse it off and place it in the dishwasher. Cooper follows me with his and Dom’s as well. He steps over to the refrigerator, pulling two beers from inside, passing one to Dom, before pouring me a glass of wine. We all settle in the living room as Cooper turns on the TV. I lean forward, placing my empty wine glass on the coffee table before snuggling against his side.
I wake up the next morning to the alarm on my phone, not knowing how I ended up in bed. Cooper wraps his arm around my waist as I reach to turn the alarm off. I settle back into his arms as he nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck. “Maybe Niko won’t notice if we don’t go today.” I scoff as I run my fingers through his hair. “The morning session is just for me. Stay and sleep in.” I start to get out of bed, but he holds me firmly against him.
I roll so I’m facing him. “I’ve got to get ready, Coop.” He wrinkles his nose at me before dropping his lips to my neck. I close my eyes as the tingling sensation travels down my body. Popping my eyes open wide, I try hard to ignore the tingles as I push him back. “I’ve got to get going.” I whine as I step out of bed. He sits up, flinging the cover off him as he follows me to the bathroom. “I’ll just help you get ready.” He says as he strips down while I turn the shower on. I shake my head slowly while my lip twitches with a grin. “You’re distracting me.”
Cooper drives us to Headquarters and we arrive in the training area five minutes late to a scowling Niko. “Sorry, Niko. We slept a tad late.” Cooper says as he gives me a wink. My cheeks heat as I look down to the floor. Niko sighs. “Both of you warm up. I want you on the mat in fifteen.” He turns and walks toward his office, leaving us.
I hit one of the treadmills while Cooper does free weights. I can’t help appreciating the spectacular view that is Cooper lifting weights. The muscles in his back flexing with every rep. “Ophelia!” I turn my head to find Niko scowling with his hands on his hips. I stop the treadmill and hop off. “Uh, yeah?” He rolls his eyes as he glances over at Cooper. “Let’s take it to the mat.”
Cooper places the weights down, walking over to join me at the mat. We wait on Niko to give us instructions. Niko looks between the two of us, settling on Cooper. “I want to test Ophelia today. It’s either you or I.” Cooper gives a slight nod before turning his eyes to me. “I’m not going easy on you today, love, and there will be no tickling to win.” I roll my eyes as I step on the mat.
Cooper steps in front of me. “I’ll apologize in advance for kicking your ass.” I say with a raised eyebrow and a sassy smirk. He gives me a wide grin, showing off his dimple just as Niko waves his hand between us. Cooper charges me and I sidestep him easily, spinning back around to him and delivering a kick to his ribs. He rights himself quickly, lunging at me a second time. I throw a few hits to his torso, not enough to hurt him, but enough to deter him.
He gives me an appreciative smile as he falls back. We dance around each other briefly, before he kicks my legs out from under me, landing me flat on my back. He bounds toward me, but I roll, quickly jumping to my feet and pouncing on his back as I bring my arm around his neck, locking it with my other hand. He taps my arm and I release him. Niko stands on the side of the mat. “Good job, Ophelia. Again.”
We go another three rounds, me winning two of the four. After the last round I’m leaning over, breathing heavily as Cooper does the same next to me. “Good work, Ophelia.” Niko says before he turns and walks away. I sink down to the mat and lie on my back as Cooper follows my lead. “Damn, O. You should apologize for kicking my ass.” He huffs out as I chuckle. He rolls to his side, gripping my hip and rolling me toward him before placing his lips on mine. “You’re amazing, love.”
I hear the elevator ding and glance over my shoulder, finding most of my team has arrived. Dom, Reese and Raven walk over to us as we push ourselves to standing. “Wow. Didn’t realize you two were exhibitionists.” Raven says as she raises an eyebrow. I roll my eyes behind her as they walk toward the exercise equipment to warm up. The elevator pings again and Cooper’s team steps out, minus Micah. Cooper and I join them in their warmups before we all gather around the mat as Niko starts our way. He surveys the crowd. “Where is Mr. Almasi and Miss Newburg?” His gaze settles on Cooper and me.
Cooper shakes his head. “I’m not sure, Niko. I’ll go call him now.” He starts to walk away from the group just as the elevator opens, Micah and Charlie stepping out hand in hand. They walk over to us as Charlie twirls one of her pigtails nervously. She looks up, her eyes finding mine. “Ophelia, if you don’t mind, I owe everyone an apology.” She says in a meek voice. My eyes widen briefly as I shrug, stepping over next to Cooper.
Charlie drops Micah’s hand and faces both teams as she worries with her pigtail. She looks over to Cooper before beginning. “I owe your team an apology.” She looks down at the ground as her cheeks flush. “I’m sorry for accusing any of you of being on the Hunters side. I know none of you would ever side against the Assembly.” She lets out a shaky breath before looking up with tear filled eyes at Cooper. “I hope you and your team can forgive me.”
I’m surprised when Zane steps forward first, holding his hand in the air. “No worries, little C.” She gives a faint chuckle before giving him a high five. Ryder steps up next, giving her a hug. “Apology accepted.” He says with a bright smile as he steps away. Grant is the last to step forward, offering his hand with a passive look on his face. She takes his hand and they shake briefly, Grant dropping her hand abruptly and moving back to Reese’s side.
She looks over to Cooper standing next to me. He gives her a slight nod. “Thank you for apologizing, Charlie. I understand when emotions run high, things can be said that we don’t mean.” She moves her head up and down as Micah wraps his arm around her, locking eyes with Cooper. I can feel the tense exchange between the two, through mine and Cooper’s clasped hands. I close my eyes and take on his emotions, allowing them to dissipate.
Cooper gives me a look as I shrug before releasing my hand and walking toward Charlie and Micah. He offers his hand out to Charlie. “All is forgiven, Charlie.” She looks up at him with tear filled eyes before bounding toward him, wrapping her tiny arms around his waist. He looks at Micah as he gingerly pats her back. Micah pulls her off him, turning
her so she’s clinging to his side.
The elevator dings again and we all turn toward it. Jim steps out, walking toward us with a shit eating grin. He claps his hands in front of him. “I need both teams, front and center!” We all make our way toward Jim standing in front of the elevators. He takes a look at the way we’re all gathered. There’re no definitive team lines, just all of us mixed together and crowded around him.
He raises an eyebrow as he pushes his glasses up on his nose. “I’m glad to see the teams getting along so well since your next mission will be together.” Murmurs go through the group as Cooper grips my hand tighter, worry coursing through him. Before I can help him relax Jim starts speaking. “You’ll be going to Barcelona. Back to Barcelona for some of you.”
A surge of emotions passes through me from Cooper and I audibly gasp. All eyes turning to me. I pull my hand from his as he looks at me with concern. Squeezing my eyes shut I release the feelings I have as I wave a hand for Jim to continue. “Anyway, we have intel that a large group of Hunters are in Barcelona. They seem to be planning something big, but we don’t know what, yet. That’s where you come in. This mission is going to be unlike any you’ve ever been on.”
Jim takes a moment to look around at us all before settling his gaze on Cooper and me. “Our plan is to use the power couple as bait.” I feel everyone’s eyes turn to the two of us. “I’m sorry, bait?” I ask in a sarcastic way. Jim sighs heavily. “Yes. The Hunters want you and Cooper. They need to take the two of you down to stop the Prophecy. If you two appear to be alone, we have the element of surprise on our side.”