Resurrection: The Clandestine Saga Book 2

by ID Johnson

  "Right, that's right, I have. And maybe I will. Especially now that there's another reason why you clearly aren't doing your job to the best of your ability," Laura threatened.

  "What? What are you talking about?" he asked, grasping the footboard of the bed with both hands.

  "She's obviously a distraction!" Laura replied, her voice as loud as she could make it under the strained circumstances.

  "That's ridiculous," Aaron said, slamming his hands down on his hips.

  "Is it? I heard about Henry," Laura argued.

  "Did you? Did you hear about how she chased him down and destroyed him, basically all by herself?" he asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

  Laura snickered. "Yes, and I heard how she disobeyed orders and left the rest of you standing around like a bunch of idiots, too. Funny, I thought people who disobeyed your orders got thrown off of the team, but I guess that only applies to people you're already screwing, not the ones you only wish you were!"

  Aaron took a deep breath. He realized that arguing with Laura was pointless, yet she was so good at drawing him in. Nevertheless, he decided to exit the situation while he still could. "Laura," he said as calmly as he could muster, "why don't you get some rest, and we'll talk more in the morning? Or not. I'm perfectly fine if you'd like to go back to the silent treatment."

  As he walked out the door, he could still hear her yelling after him, "Fine, just walk away, like you always do..."

  Cadence was sitting next to Christian on the couch by the time Aaron reached the other room. Elliott sat in a chair nearby, and the three of them were clearly engrossed by whatever was playing on the television. As soon as he walked in the door, Eliza was there. "How did it go?" she asked, a look of concern on her face. He noted it looked forced.

  "Wonderful," he said sarcastically. She was standing between him and everyone else, notably Cadence, and it seemed evident this was on purpose. While she appeared to want to ask him something else, he had no patience left and simply stepped around her.

  "Hey!" Cadence said cheerfully, scooting towards Christian so that he could sit down if he wanted to.

  Aaron sat on the armrest instead. "How long have you been here?" he asked, only a bit surprised to see her.

  "Well, I got here during the episode with the high speed chase, right, Elliott?" she asked, pretending to think.

  "That's right," Elliott chimed in. Then, looking at Aaron, he said, "You know, the one where the cops are chasing the erratic drunk driver? And then he gets out and runs? With no shirt on, of course."

  "Of course!" Cadence agreed. "And now, we're watching the one where the cops chase down the erratic drunk driver, who's speeding off away from them..."

  "With no shirt on," Elliott concluded.

  "So, it's been, what maybe twenty, thirty minutes?"

  "Or eleven days. Really, who can tell?" Elliott agreed nodding.

  Christian didn't add to their little joke, but he did snicker along. He seemed quite content to watch whatever was on so long as Cadence was sitting so close to him.

  Aaron knew they were attempting to lighten the mood, but nothing seemed very humorous after the conversation he had just had with Laura. Shaking his head, he asked Cadence, "Are you about ready to go home?"

  She sighed. "I guess," she said in a deep exhale. "But if anything out of the ordinary happens..." she continued.

  "Like a guy with his shirt on running from the cops?" Christian asked, finally joining their bit.

  "Precisely," she agreed, slamming her hand down on his knee. "Please, find a way to record it for me, all right?"

  "All right," Christian nodded. "I am the king of recording, so I'll get right on that."

  Cadence wasn't quite sure if that meant something, or if he was just being sarcastic, but she didn't bother to ask for clarification. "Okay, great!" she exclaimed, patting his leg innocently. "Okay, I guess I'm out of here! See you tomorrow, Christian," she said as she bounced off of the couch.

  "See you tomorrow," Christian said, watching her intently. He glanced at Aaron who was looking at him questioningly. Christian refocused his attention on the television.

  Elliott stood and wrapped his burly arms around her. "Have a good night, kid," he said squeezing her tightly, but not tight enough to crush her, a thin line for him.

  "Thanks for everything," she said quietly. Then releasing him, she turned to say good-bye to the other ladies in the room. "Bye Hannah! It was nice to meet you, Laney! See you tomorrow, Eliza," she said, putting her arms around the slight girl who was standing near the door again.

  "Do you want me to drive her home?" Eliza asked, patting Cadence but not really returning the hug.

  Again, Aaron had a questioning look on his face. "No," he said sounding a bit more like an inquiry than it needed to. "I'll do it."

  Cadence glanced behind her, catching his eye, wondering why in the world Eliza would volunteer to take her home. He looked just as bewildered as she felt. "Thanks for asking though, Eliza," Cadence said, stepping over towards the door, grabbing her coat, and sliding into it.

  Aaron was right behind her, keys in hand. When they were in the hallway, he said, "What was that all about?"

  "I know, right? Weird!" Cadence said, shaking her head.

  "I meant Christian," Aaron clarified. "I know why Eliza wanted to take you home. She didn't want me to."

  As they made their way to the elevator, Cadence asked, "Christian? What do you mean? We were just watching a show together."

  "You didn't see the way he was looking at you?" Aaron inquired. He pressed the button to take them down and the doors came open. He was glad there was no one else in the elevator.

  "No," she replied. "What do you mean?"

  Aaron shrugged. Maybe there was no point in pressing the issue. Maybe he was imagining things. "I don't know. He just seemed...odd. Even for Christian."

  Cadence decided to change the subject. "How was your discussion with Laura?" she asked, feeling as if she already knew the answer.

  The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out, making their way through the lobby toward the parking lot. "It was about what I expected," he admitted.

  The cool air felt good against Cadence's face. Aaron took her hand, counteracting the coolness of the air a bit, and led her toward the Lamborghini, which was parked just a few spots away. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, watching her footing on the ice.

  He pulled the car door open for her, saying nothing in response, and walked around to the driver's side, climbing in, and starting the engine. He shifted the car into gear and backed out of the spot, shifted into drive, and then took her hand, which she had waiting, palm up, on the console.

  Cadence was content to sit in silence the entire, short trip home. Both of them had experienced an incredibly difficult day. It seemed like the silence was safe. There was no chance of ruining everything so long as she said nothing.

  Eventually, Aaron pulled the car to a stop in front of her house. All of the lights were out, and Cadence glanced at the clock on the dash. She'd had no idea it was 11:30. Despite her vow of silence, she decided she would have to speak eventually. She wasn't ready to get out of the car just yet, not as long as he was holding her hand. "Thanks for driving me home," she said quietly.

  "Of course," he replied, obviously still lost in thought. He looked at her briefly but then directed his gaze back out the windshield.

  "What time are we leaving tomorrow?" she asked, placing her free hand gently on his arm where it rested on the console.

  He gave her his attention then, as if the simple question had brought him back to reality. "I want to make sure everyone is well enough to move, but probably in the early afternoon."

  "Okay," she nodded. She glanced down at the floorboards then, wondering if her parents would be okay with not getting to see her very much.

  "Is that all right?" he asked.

  "Yes, it's fine. I just... it's so hard to be here. Nothing is what it was. No one seems to understand... any
thing. Yes, going home is a good idea," she explained, looking back at him then.

  "I'm sorry it's been such a rough day," he apologized, carefully moving a loose strand of hair back behind her ear. "And I'm sorry I was a pain in the ass earlier."

  Cadence chuckled. "I can't believe you shot Jack," she said, nodding and looking away again.

  "He's fine," Aaron declared, his hand still playing with her hair. "It was just a flesh wound."

  The pop culture reference was not lost on Cadence, but she was content to change the subject. "I hate arguing with you," she said most sincerely, meeting his eyes.

  "Me, too," he replied. "But I'm sure we will do it again. Probably sooner rather than later."

  "Why?" she asked, taking his other hand in hers. "Why are we both so stinking stubborn?"

  "I don't know," Aaron admitted. "Just the nature of the beast, I guess. But you don't argue with me over stupid things, at least. It's just, we're both leaders, so we're going to butt heads sometimes."

  "But I'm not a leader, not yet," Cadence reminded him, leaning in even closer to him.

  "You will be, I'm almost certain of that. Besides, leadership isn't a position. You command the field when you're on it, and I'm not used to that. We'll figure it out." He leaned in to her as well so that they were just inches from each other.

  Cadence inhaled, breathing him in. He let go of her hand with his left and placed it gently on the back of her neck, his thumb rubbing her cheek. She became extremely hopeful that he was about to kiss her. "Okay," she said quietly. "I don't want to argue with you. Ever again."

  "Then don't," he said, his lips grazing her forehead.

  "But sometimes you're wrong," she said quietly, raising her lips to meet his. He kissed her, sweetly at first, and then more passionately. She parted her lips and tasted him hungrily. His lips moved to her ear and then her neck. She could feel the passion burning within her, and she wasn't sure how she was going to control it. "You can touch me," she whispered, her teeth pulling gently on his ear.

  "I am touching you," he breathed into her neck. He pulled back just a bit, but Cadence caught his lips with hers and began to tug gently on his hand.

  "That's not what I meant," she said, releasing his lips and attempting to put his hand exactly where she wanted it.

  Aaron pulled back from her then. "Cadence," he said, still only inches from her face, pulling his hand away but placing it back on the side of her face. "I want to do this the right way," he said quietly.

  She considered his words but couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. "Okay," she said, though it came out more of a question. She had planned to invite him in, now she thought that probably wasn't such a good idea. Still, despite his words, he was still staring into her eyes. He still looked like he wanted to kiss her. "What's the right way?"

  "I'm not sure," he admitted, scooting back a little bit, "but I'm pretty sure it isn't in the front seat of a Lamborghini parked in front of your parents' house."

  She smiled. That was probably true. "Do you want to come in?" she asked, holding her breath, almost wishing she hadn't asked.

  His eyes widened. "I don't think that's a good idea," he cautioned.

  "I mean, we don't have to do anything," she backpedaled, "I just...it's hard sleeping in there. You know, so many memories." She was looking down at the console and not at him anymore, hoping she hadn't said too much.

  Aaron sat fully back in his seat now, leaving a good foot of space between them. "I know, Cadence. I'm sorry. But I don't think I could sleep with you again and not sleep with you," he said, no longer touching her.

  Cadence considered his answer. This could actually be considered good news, depending upon how one looked at it. "All right," she said, sitting back in her seat as well, straightening her clothes. "I understand."

  "I'm sorry," he said, glancing at her but not fully looking at her.

  "It's okay. You're right. My parents... my sister.... It's fine."

  They sat in silence for a moment. Cadence glanced at the door handle several times, thinking she should just get out of the car. But she couldn't seem to do it. Finally, Aaron spoke up. "Cadence, will you go out with me?"

  "What?" she said, turning her head sharply, not sure she had heard correctly. "You mean, like, on a date?"

  "Yes," he confirmed. "You know, like regular people. Are you busy Wednesday evening?"

  Cadence thought for a second. It really didn't matter what she had planned on Wednesday. She would find a way to be free. Then, she realized what Wednesday was. "That's Christmas Eve," she replied.

  He nodded, obviously already aware. "I know. It's just, I have to go out of town tomorrow evening, and I won't be back until Wednesday. So, I won't be available until..."

  "Yes, Wednesday is perfect," she chimed in emphatically, not giving him a chance to change his mind.

  "Are you sure?" he asked, puzzled at her quick change in direction.

  "Yes," she said smiling.

  "Well, okay then," he replied, returning her smile. "Wednesday it is, then."

  She suddenly couldn't meet his eyes again. The gleaming door handle recaptured her attention, and she felt that it would be very smart to get out of the car. She stayed. "Where are you going tomorrow?"

  "Phoenix," he replied. "Same song, different verse."

  "Rogue that the locals can't catch?" she clarified.

  "Yep, pretty much," he said nonchalantly.

  "Are you hunting or consulting?" she asked, finally turning to fully face him.

  He was looking at her again now, too. "Consulting. I try not to get too involved when we go out of state."

  "You mean, like, when you come to Iowa?" she asked, giggling.

  "Well, that's a little different. That was very close by. Besides, protecting you was something I was charged with many, many years ago." She looked at him, eyes wide. "We'll talk about that some other time, though," he said, glancing at his watch as if the time on the dashboard might not be correct.

  "All right," she said quietly. She had a feeling it had something to do with her grandparents. But the questions could wait. "I guess you have a date to plan then," she said, her eyebrows raised.

  "I guess I do," he smiled back at her.

  "You need a secretary," she offered. "I don't know how you schedule all of the things you do."

  "Well," he started, looking at her out of the corner of his eye, "most of the time...my secretary takes care of all of that."

  "You have a secretary?" she asked, shock evident in both her voice and her physical reaction.

  "Yes?" he questioned, almost afraid to admit that he hadn't ever told her.

  "Why didn't you ever mention her before? It is a her, right? Is she hot?"

  Aaron burst out laughing. "You're gonna regret that question. I don't know. It never came up. She's retired, and she works from home, so it's not like I should have taken you into my office and introduced you or anything. I do have a receptionist, too. Also a nice older woman."

  Cadence shook her head slowly. "Last names and secretaries. All in the same day. Who is she?" she asked, but then the answer occurred to her on it's own. "My grandma!" she exclaimed. "That's how my parents always know everything, isn't it?"

  "Maybe," he replied, giving her an impish look.

  "You're lucky you're so damn cute," she said under her breath. "Anything else I need to know about?"

  "Not that I can think of," he said after a pause of consideration. "There's just too much information for us to dump it on newbies all at once."

  She nodded in agreement. "It is a lot to take in." Once again, she found herself drawn to the door handle. "Well, I should probably go," she said taking a deep sigh.

  He nodded, saying nothing.

  "Thank you, for everything today. Well, not everything. I mean, not for shooting Jack." She wasn't looking directly at him, but she was pretty sure she heard him snicker. It did sound a bit humorous when she said it in that context. "But thank you for everything else." She
was looking at him again now. "Thank you for going to Kash's house with me, for driving me around, for helping me get through that speech." Her mind lingered on the words of the speech for just a second before she continued. "Thank you for being there for me."

  Aaron gave her a small smile and nodded. "Of course."

  "Okay," Cadence nodded, trying not to look directly at him for fear she might lose control of herself again. Again, she thought about what Jack had taught her, the lesson she had tried to reiterate in her speech today. Her hand was on the door handle. She knew common sense said "get out of the car now!" And yet she did not. "You know how, in my speech, I talked about how Jack was always trying to spread around 'the good?'" she asked glancing at him to see if he was following. He nodded and so, against her better judgment, she continued. "I just... I've lost a lot of people lately. Sometimes we don't get a second chance to do, or say, something that we really feel like people should know. And, even though it's not a big deal--it really doesn't have to be a big deal--and I don't want you to say anything back--I really don't--I just think you should know--I want you to know. That I love you. Okay, then. Good night," and with that, she bounded out the door, not even giving him a chance to respond.

  "Cadence!" he yelled after her, a few seconds after he realized precisely what she had said. But she was quick and out of sight before he could even contemplate chasing her down. It was probably for the better, however, because, try as he might, he could not come up with a suitable response.

  Cadence made it through the door almost as quickly as she had at Barbarosa's house. Once it was shut tightly behind her, she leaned back against it for a second, catching her breath. It took her a second to realize that she wasn't alone. "Mom?" she said, peering into the dim light of the living room.

  Liz was sitting in her husband's chair, curled up under a blanket, the only light the soft glow of her Kindle reader. "Hi, honey. How was the party?" she asked, sitting the Kindle down as Cadence entered the room.

  "Why are you still up?" Cadence asked, dropping down on the couch. She hoped her makeup wasn't smudged or if it was that her mother wouldn't be able to see it in such a poorly lit room.