Deadly Hunt (Deadly #1) (6 page)

I didn’t sleep much last night, I kept thinking about that kiss. I can’t help it, that kiss, it was the best kiss of my life. I feel scared, for the first time since I was that five-year-old little girl being left by the dumpster, I have these feelings that make no sense to me. I like Nathan I really do, but what I feel for him, it’s too hard too fast. It makes me feel vulnerable, that he has the power to destroy me. I need this to slow down.

I’m showing my dad and Luke my new house; I’m hoping they will help with some work that needs to be done. When I arrive at the house, they are all here, I get out of my car and walk over to them, stopping at my dad and giving him a hug, “Hi dad, ready to see this place?”

He looks so sceptical, he knows how much I’m buying it for “Yeah Soph, let’s take a look.”

I smile at him and walk towards the front door. I throw a smile over my shoulder at Luke and Scott “Hi guys, thanks for coming.”

They both roll their eyes “Hi Soph, my little sister is buying a house; of course I’m going to come and see it.”

I laugh at Luke’s statement. I open the door, stand to the side and let them in. I hold my breath, I can see so much potential in this house, it feels like home, but I don’t want my family to hate it. Scott walks off and around the house, dad and Luke are in the living room. I stay in the hall; I don’t want to see their reactions.

I’ve been standing in the hall texting Nathan for about half an hour when dad comes into the hall, “You’ve done good baby girl, I can see the potential. I think your brothers are arguing over what they want to make each room into.”

I laugh, that’s a good sign, I’m happy now. I walk into the living room with dad; Luke and Scott are just walking in as well. They spot me.

“Soph, I have been thinking about this all night, I was just doing another walk through, the master bedroom is really big it has an en-suite, but we could build you a walk-in wardrobe as well. It wouldn’t take away much from the room as it’s so big anyway.” Scott says with so much enthusiasm I can’t help but smile at him.

“Soph, you’ve got to add an office, turn one of the dining rooms into a library/office. You know how much you love to read especially those porn books.” Luke the fucker.

“They are not Porn, they are romance.” This is the same shit he always does, always starts on about my “Porn” books. I read romance novels.

Dad left the room when the boys start on their ideas; he’s walking back with sketch pads and a note book. “I brought these with me; we all have so many ideas for this place, we may as well have the plans down.

“Good idea, so Soph, what do you think of our ideas?” Aww Scott is so sweet when he looks all hopeful.

“I love both of those ideas. I want all bathrooms pulled and redesigned, I want the kitchen redesigned, I don’t like the way it is at the moment. I want the sink in the middle of the island.”

They’re nodding that they agree, it makes more sense having it that way. “I also want more cupboard space, I want a pantry too, oh and a utility mud room.” The guys are writing this all down. This is why I love my family; they are and always have been there whenever I needed them.

I think back to the very first day I met the boys.

I was so nervous. Lydia told me not to be, that they would like me, that from now on we’re all going to be a family. “Sophia, I promise, they will love you, you’re their little sister now.”

I hear the door open and I hear a boys’ voice “Mommy where are you? Daddy says you have a surprise for us.” I quickly dart behind Lydia; I’m holding onto her pant legs.

“In here Luke.” I can hear them as they enter the kitchen; I’m behind Lydia’s leg. I’m so scared. If they don’t like me, Lydia and Steven could send me back to my Mama.

“What’s the surprise mom?” That is a different voice. I quickly take a peak; there are two boys, they look older than me, one has black hair, the other has red and has freckles on his face.

I hear a squeaking noise and see one of the boys coming towards me. I see Steven come into the room and is walking towards me and Lydia, he makes it there before the little boy. I run behind Steven and hold on to him. He bends down and scoops me up, he holds me against him as he walks toward the table. He sits down and puts me on his lap.

“Sophia, these are your new brothers, this is Luke.” He points to the red head. “And this is Scott.” He says pointing to the one with black hair, the one that was coming towards me.

“Hi, I always wanted a sister, I’m adopted too, my mom died when I was little, do you want to play with us?” Scott says with a smile.

“Yep, me too, we are all adopted, you can play with me too.” I smile at them.

“Hi, I never had any brothers before.” They look to each other and smile.

“Well you do now, we’re your older brothers so that means we look after you. We will protect you.” Luke says with a big smile.

I’m pulled back from the memory by Luke calling my name, “Sorry, what?” He looks at me.

“You okay? You seemed in another world just then.” I smile at him to show him I’m okay.

“Yeah I’m fine, was just remembering the day I met you and Scott is all.” He smiles and walks up to me and hugs me.

“Family Soph, that’s what we have been from that day.” He looks sad, I squeeze him.

“What’s wrong Luke?” He has this deep furrow between his brows.

“I told you that day that we would look after you and protect you, but we failed.”

I shake my head, “What? How? You haven’t failed.”

He shakes his head. “I did Soph, when you were taken when you were in Afghanistan, they told us you were MIA and presumed dead. I believed them Soph, I thought you were gone, but to find out you were kept in that hell hole for 3 weeks, being tortured, I failed in protecting you.”

I hug him again, his body bucking as he tries to gasp in a deep breath, it’s Luke’s way of not crying. I don’t mention it, I ignore it.

“You didn’t fail me. When I signed up, I knew what I was signing up for. I knew I could be killed. I knew that. You haven’t and will never fail me. I love you Luke. You, dad and Scott, kept me sane while I was gone. You saved me, not failed me.” I kiss his cheek and walk off. He won’t believe me, and I can’t talk about that part of my life.

I walk out to the car and drive off. I need a drink. To think my family thought I was dead, what they went through, it hurts me. I text the girls.

Group Chat
:

Me: Drinks tonight?

Maddie: Yeah sure.

Winter: Fuck yeah I need to get laid

Me: When don’t you?

Winter: Jealous?

Me: Bitch, Please, there’s nothing to be jealous of.

Maddie: Burn. LOL

Winter: Whatevs, you girls are jealous, jealous that my coochie gets more action than the two of you put together. Oh and Soph, we will be talking about your date.

Me: Fuck that. Your coochie has more rides than a train leaving grand central station.

Maddie: OMG I can’t breathe...

Winter: I’m not that bad you whore.

Me: Whatevs. 9PM? Johnnies?

Winter: Yes, Yes and Yes!

Maddie: sure, see you then xx

These girls are a riot; I love them to death and would do anything for them. Sometimes I feel like we should be arrested for our antics once we get drunk, though I’m pretty sure the only reason we haven’t is because of my dad. I could imagine his face if I were to be arrested. That angry red hue his face takes when he’s mad, I reckon it could turn purple! Ha-ha.

I head to dads and run myself a bath. I look down at my stomach and see the pink puckered scar. It’s something that I’m going to have to get used to seeing, that isn’t the worst one. The scar going down the side of my ribs where they had to fix my lung is ugly, but I have an appointment with Leo, a tattoo artist. Hopefully I can turn something ugly into something beautiful. I remember the day I met Leo. He was so nice. He really understood what I wanted to create.

Leo is amazing, he’s one of the most sought after tattoo artists, he tattoos over scars. Depending on how people were scarred he doesn’t charge them. I haven’t told him how I got mine just that I was shot and I need to get a tattoo to cover it. He has a few ideas about what I could get. I can’t wait. We also discuss getting my back done, he asks what I want done to it. I tell him I want a phoenix, he just nods and looks at my back.

“You’ve had a skin graft?” I nod; I really want this to work.

“It’s doable, it will be harder, but I can do it. I actually have an amazing idea for your back piece.” I sigh in relief. “But I have to wait for the scars to be healed properly, I’m sorry Sophia, it won’t be for at least a year.” Damn.

“That’s okay Leo, I’ll be back next week and we will iron everything out with the other tattoo.” He nods and walks me out. I’m so fucking disappointed.

Why do people have to be unfaithful? I could never understand it. That’s 75% of our cases, looking into spouse infidelity, the majority of cases reveal the client has a cheating asshole in their life. I hold out hope from the few that show that it’s not only my parents that have a monogamous marriage. I would say a healthy marriage but I mean can it really be classed as healthy if there is a clear lack of trust where they are having their partner investigated?

I received a call from my old FBI partner Simon. Simon now works in the counter terrorism department; I work as a private contractor. The FBI sometimes use me and Dwayne for computer and investigative services, sometimes another set of eyes helps. This time, they believe a Taliban terrorist has somehow managed to sneak into the country; they want our help finding him. I got Dwayne to run a full background check on him.

“Mullah Al Mohammed is believed to be one of the higher ranking members of the Taliban army. His being on US soil is being perceived as a threat to national security and he has to be found as soon as possible. I want you all to make this a priority. Dwayne, use that facial recognition app you have to search New York for him.” This is not good. This could lead to full blown panic, if the public find out that he is in America.

I text Sophia, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head.

Me: Hey gorgeous

Sophia: Hey hot stuff

I love that she thinks I’m hot.

Me: How are you today?

Sophia: I’m good. I’m showing my dad and brothers my new house.

Me: Oh, when do I get to see it?

Sophia: who said you do?

It’s crazy how much I love the banter.

Me: I said so. I need to see you.

I get no instant reply; she must be busy. I check in with Dwayne. “Anything?” he looks pissed off.

“Not yet boss, but this motherfucker cannot escape me. I’ll find him.” I see the determination and conviction in his eyes; He is going to find him.

“I never doubted that you could. Keep me updated yeah?” He doesn’t look up from his screen.

“Will do boss.”

I find the others all on their phones trying to get some leads, they are all talking to their informants. Yeah, even PI’s have informants. It helps with difficult cases to have someone who knows people and won’t be suspected. But I can tell by the look in their eyes, they also aren’t getting much. It’s frustrating. My Phone dings, telling me I have a message.

Sophia: I’m meeting the girls for a drink. You’re welcome to join us.

Me: When and where? You sure the girls won’t mind?

Sophia: I’m meeting the girls at Johnnie’s at 9pm. Want to meet me there at 10:30?

Me: Yep, you want to come home with me?

Sophia: Yes

Me: I’m not fucking you drunk Sophia.

Sophia: Boo you’re no fun!

Me: Wait until I get you to bed, we will see if you still think I’m no fun.

Sophia: Promises, Promises.

This girl, she really gets to me. I shift in my seat adjusting my dick.

Me: Not a promise.

Sophia: we’ll see. Later Hot stuff

Me: Bye Gorgeous.

I must have a big smile on my face because Connor has a smirk on his.

Half an hour later Scott walks into the office. “Scott, my office.” I need to tell him about Mullah, and I need to tell him about me and Sophia. He walks in, I point to the chair.

“Take a seat Scott; I have two things to talk to you about.” He sits.

“Go ahead.”

“Ok first, it’s not work related.” He looks sceptical; he doesn’t know what it could be about.

“Okay, so the other night we all went out, I met this woman. I really like her, and I went on a date with her last night. I’m going to continue to see her.”

I pause to take a breath; I hope he doesn’t deck me. God.

“Ok, but what’s that got to do with me?” Here goes nothing.

“The woman is Sophia.”

I see his face change, it has gone dark, he wants to kill me. “You’re dating my little sister?” His tone has gone lethal.

“Yes, I am.” He stands up and leans over my desk. I don’t move, I’m not afraid of Scott, if he hits me, I’ll hit him back ten times harder.

“I’m not going to hit you; you don’t deserve my sister. My sister is an amazing person who has had so much shit thrown at her. If you hurt her, no fuck that! You make my sister shed one tear, I’ll fucking kill you! Do I make myself clear?” I look him directly in his eyes

“I care a lot about your sister; I don’t want to hurt her. She means something to me. I protect those that I care about.” He is still seething.

“You had fucking better.”

“There was something else I have to talk to you about. I had a call from Simon and he needs our help. They believe that a member from the Taliban army has snuck into the US, they need our help tracking him. So far they have nothing. Mullah Al Mohammed is in the wind. Simon is sending over the Airport security disks. They made a positive identification, and Dwayne wants to see what else he can get.”

He has calmed down now. “I bet the FBI loved that, Dwayne implying he’s better than them.”

I laugh, “Yeah they didn’t like it one bit. Now that’s all, get to work.”

He looks at me. “I mean it Nathan, hurt her and I’ll hurt you.” I look at him.

“I know. I expect nothing less.”

He leaves the room,

I gather my thoughts. Scott said Sophia has had shit thrown at her. I want to know everything.

I have the ability to find everything out, but I won’t invade her privacy like that. I’ll wait until she tells me.

I hope it’s soon though, I hate not knowing everything about her.