My Silver Fox Protector by Lauren Cole
EMMA
I stood nervouslyin the line to go through the TSA check. I held a fake passport, and I wore the clothes that Mason had given me. They were functional, but neutral, so that I’d blend in when I got there. I tried to steady my breathing as I approached the agent. I looked at the photo again and wondered if they would know this was a fake ID.
I smiled as the agent gruffly waved me up and looked back and forth between me and my photo. I held my breath, and then he finally snapped it shut and handed it back.
“Have a good flight.”
“Thanks.” I said softly as I put my things on the conveyor belt to send them through the x-ray.
When Mason had told me to travel with a fake passport, it had seemed exciting. Now I felt like my insides were going to be on my outsides. Mason was bringing me on the down-low, and I suddenly started to feel nervous.
As we ascended into the air, I closed my eyes. I was grateful that Mason was keeping an eye on me. I appreciated being able to stay at his house after what had happened, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy staying there for other reasons. As the days had passed, I’d grown more and more attracted to him. I felt a small sting resurface as I recalled trying to kiss him last night, and the way he had pushed me away. At least I could blame it on the alcohol. I could certainly blame my boldness on it.
I felt my cheeks flush in embarrassment, and I tried to focus on other things, like how it was possible that the hacker I had tracked was in Iran, and that now Mason was going there on a mission. I didn’t know exactly what that entailed, but it couldn't be a coincidence. There was just no way.
By the time I was finally standing outside the airport with my bags in Iran, I was exhausted and stressed. A very salesy man who I couldn't understand flagged down a cab for me, and I showed him the address Mason had written down for me. Mason assured me he would be there already when I arrived, and I hoped that was true, because I had no idea where the hell I was or where we were going.
As the taxi edged out of the city and closer towards my destination, the buildings got sparser and sparser until we were driving down a dirt road. I glanced at the driver. For all I knew, he could be taking me in exactly the opposite direction I needed to go.
I cleared my throat. “Are we close?”
He nodded his head.
I had no idea if he spoke English or not, if he understood me, or if he had good or bad intentions. I sat back in my seat and fiddled with a hangnail on my thumb.
Finally, we approached a small town, and as we drove further in, I felt a bit of relief at seeing people walking around again. I texted Mason.
Me: I think I’m close, but I’m not sure.
Mason: I’ll be here.
I feltimmense relief as the taxi slowed to a stop and I spotted a tall, broad man approaching, and then he leaned over to peer at me through the window. Mason. He opened the door for me. “How was the trip?”
“Long.” I squinted at him, shielding my eyes from the sun.
He took both my bags from me. “Let’s get you inside.” I followed him down a long alleyway, and at the edge of the alley, he pointed to a building across the street. “See that building there?” I nodded as he explained. “I want you to go up those stairs on the far side, and we’re in room 214. It’s on the second floor.” He handed me a key.
I looked at him confused, “You’re not coming up with me?” I felt anxiety creeping in. I’d never been to another country, and traveling alone was already a big deal for me, and now he wanted to send me to the hotel alone.
“I’m going to watch you from here, and then I’ll meet you up there.”
I chewed my lip and looked up at him.
“What’s the matter?” His eyes flashed with concern.
“Uh, nothing.” I tried to steady my breath. Why was I being such a big baby about this? He was just asking me to walk across the street by myself. But I didn’t know exactly where I was going. What if I went in the wrong building and what if we couldn’t find each other?
He encouraged me, “I’ll see you up there.”
“Ok.” I took one of the bags Mason handed to me, and he kept the other.
I quickly made my way across the street where Mason could still see me and walked down the road to the building he had pointed at. I glanced back, and I didn’t see him anymore. I felt my stomach tighten. I took a deep breath and made my way up the steps to the open air hallway on the second floor. I quickly found the room halfway down the hallway, and I steadied my hand as I pushed the key into the lock and the door swung open. I stumbled in with my bag and quickly shut the door behind me.
Before I even had a chance to look around the room, there was a sharp knock at the door. I peered through the peephole and quickly opened the door.
“You didn’t lock the door?” Mason quirked a brow as he came in and shut the door behind him.
I threw my arms around him and hugged him. I didn’t care. He had dragged me to the other side of the world, and he could be as grouchy as he wanted. I just needed a hug. I needed to regulate my nervous system. “I mean, I just got in here.” I said quietly, realizing I definitely should have locked the door.
“Always lock the door, Emma. Always.” I was surprised when Mason smiled and wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me tightly. “You did good.”
His praise and his touch made me slick between my legs, and I licked my lips. “I’m really thirsty.” I realized I hadn’t had much water since yesterday. I didn’t want to have to pee on the plane, or on the way over, and now in the heat of this room I was suddenly feeling overheated and thirsty.
Mason let go of me and pulled a bottle of water off the shelf. “You’re going to want to stay hydrated.” He grabbed a packet and emptied the power into the bottle before shaking it up and handing it to me. “Electrolytes.” He responded to my questioning eyes.
“What was that all about?” I waved my hand around.
“Coming up separately?” He asked, and I nodded. “Let’s just say we shouldn’t be seen together, and I don’t want anyone figuring out we’re staying together. It wouldn’t be good.”
That made me anxious. What exactly did he mean by that?
I took the bottle from him and quickly downed half of it, suddenly feeling a little lightheaded.
“You don’t look so hot.” Mason felt my forehead. I was suddenly feeling clammy. He guided me over to the bed. “Here, lie down for a little bit. Your circadian rhythm is all messed up from the time change. Sleep for a little bit and you'll feel better.” The edge of the bed dipped as he sat on it, and I closed my eyes.
I awoke groggily, and could see through the window that the sun was starting to set. I’d slept the entire afternoon. So much for adjusting to a new time zone. I doubted I’d be able to sleep tonight now.
It was extremely hot in the room, even with the ceiling fan running. I sat up, and my clothes stuck to my body. I realized my throat was so dry, and I quickly found the second water bottle Mason had placed on the nightstand for me and I smiled and downed it. There was a note from Mason.
Stay inside. I’ll be back tonight. If you get hungry, I set out an MRE for you. Use the bottled water and the teakettle to rehydrate it. I left my dessert for you. :)
I quirked my brow.I could smell the food wafting up from the street, and Mason wanted me to hide inside and eat freeze-dried cardboard. Maybe it wasn’t so bad, I decided. I’d never tried one, but I didn’t have high hopes.
I grabbed a bottle of water and boiled it using the electric tea kettle Mason had left out for me. I poured the hot water into the spaghetti and meatballs MRE and sealed it shut like the instructions stated, and waited. After five minutes, I squished the bag up to mix it and opened it up. Woof, it was spaghetti, but not what I was used to.
I took a small bite. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t good. No wonder Mason was used to eating the chicken, broccoli, and rice he’d meal prepped in quantities large enough to feed an army. What he had made was far better than this crap.
Despite the flavor, I found myself taking the last bite before I’d realized I hit the bottom. My system was all messed up, and I hadn’t realized how hungry I'd been. I smiled to myself, looking at the two packets of cookies he’d set out. He’d left his for me, in addition to mine. It was small, but it was sweet, and it made the butterflies swell in my stomach.
After taking a quick shower, I opened my laptop at the small table across from the bed. Suddenly, I looked around the room, and that’s when it hit me.
There was only one bed in this room.
One freaking bed.
My eyes darted around. Was Mason going to sleep in the room next door, perhaps? Or were we stuck together in one bed? My heart raced at the thought. The thought of brushing against him. Of lying down next to each other. My panties were instantly soaked at the thought. I nervously chewed my lips, wondering how tonight was going to go.
I checked the time. Where was Mason, anyway? It was getting late. It was well after dark, and I found myself nervous, hoping that he was alright.
I focused my attention on my laptop. If I was alone, I might as well use the time wisely, before Mason got back and I risked him seeing what I was working on.
Just then, I got a security breach notification. I sat there staring at it for a moment. I couldn’t be sure without digging deeper, but this looked like the same footprint. It had to be the same person or group.
If I couldn’t hack into our own system without being caught, maybe I could just watch and see what the hacker was looking for. Maybe they’d lead me straight to the answer. It was risky, but maybe I would get a little closer to figuring out what was going on.
I watched as they wormed deeper and deeper in until I got uneasy and sealed off the breach. They’d gone after the military contracts. But what was in those contracts I didn’t know exactly.
My fingers hovered over the keyboard, and my heart raced as I went back and forth. If it was the same person, they could be here right now. Maybe what Mason was working on was connected to this. Maybe this information could help him.
Maybe if I couldn’t hack into the system internally, maybe I needed to get in from the outside. I knew I could do it. I just had to get to a library or anywhere that had a different computer I could use. I doubted I’d be able to find one close enough to me, at least not in this small town. I closed my laptop and went to stand near the balcony. I didn’t walk out in case someone was watching, but I peered out the glass door and up and down the street, just taking in my surroundings.
Suddenly, Mason burst through the door, and I whirled around and gasped, seeing he was covered in blood.