Working for CORE it hadn't taken them long to determine I had a knack for seeing the big picture.

Soon they had me running Operations as a Team Leader. The first time I saw Jared I was wearing a sleek black dress. My brown hair lifted into a classy bun which left loose tendrils framing my face.

The dress was slit up both hips to give me free movement and was long enough to hide that I was wearing a form of combat boots with it. Equipped with daggers in one and a small caliber pistol in the other.

As we pulled up to the Diner I was to infiltrate, I saw two bodyguards out front and realized that getting to Mr. Black in the backroom was going to be damn near impossible.

I turned to my Commander after assessing the monitors. I still held onto the strap for balance in the back of our van disguised as a cable vehicle.

"I'm going to need a bigger weapon." I was worried because of the close fit of the dress I knew I had nowhere to hide one.

"That's why you're taking Jared."

***

The team in the van parted and I saw the man closest to the front seats, opposite the van from me. He had a prominent ear piece in with a clear chord trailing over his shoulder. He was setting the magazine for a Glock 23.

A .40 caliber. Ought to be big enough if he knows how to use it.

He stepped through the crowded van. Other men parting for his huge frame. Instinctively shying away from his breadth.

"Just keep your weapons in your boots unless we get separated."

"How likely is that?" I blinked at him.

"Highly unlikely. Once I've got a set target in mind it's rather hard to get away from me."

He turned his head and set piercing blue eyes on me.

I should've run like hell.

Run from him.

From CORE.

***

I sat bolt upright. Hearing a rattle and feeling a jerk at my wrist. As I yanked a chain binding one of my wrists tight.

Damn him. I gave it a betrayed look as though it had linked itself to the boards on my bed then slithered over and hooked itself to me arm.

Sighing I realized I felt his eyes. He's in here with me.

I looked up and met that cold gaze sitting in the chair across from my bed. He sipped his coffee leisurely. Wearing an open white button-up shirt, belted black pants and not another stitch of clothing. One bare foot crossed across his knee.

"Interesting dream?" He queried.

"Closer to a nightmare." I grunted rubbing hair back from my face.

I felt a biting pain low in my abdomen. I groaned and fell back. "Everything hurts."

"Hmm." He stood with a smirk.

"Perhaps this will help." He stood and swept up a mug from the table next to him. Holding it by the top in a large capable hand.

Casting him a wary look, I gingerly leaned up and took it. Seeing it was rich black as I preferred I sniffed it and caught the sweet scent.

"Chocolate flavored." He murmured as he returned to his seat. Sipping his again before adding. "From New York. Your favorite."

"What's in it?" I eyed him.

He quirked a dark brow at my skepticism. "Shouldn't you be more worried about what's about to be in you?"

Missing his meaning, I was carefully tipping the cup to examine the liquid. "That's exactly what I'm doing."

"I got you outta there, you recall that?"

I blinked at him in confusion.

"You never did need those guns."

He's talking about the mission.

He did get me out.

"How are you always in my head?" I groaned. Flopping limply back as I still gripped the drink I hadn't yet dared touch.

***

He walked over to steal the mug and set it on the table next to the bed. Sitting on the edge next to me.

"I'm invested in all things you, Mida."

"Why won't you go away?" I put a pillow over my face and screamed into it.

He ripped it away and tossed it onto the floor. "Because you don't really want me to."

"The Hell I don't!" I lifted my head to stare at him askance.

"Do you?" He spread out next to me. Propped on an elbow he leaned over my face. "Then why do you get so wet at even the hint of my cigarettes?"

"I don't." I snapped.

"The devil you don't! I can smell it." He sniffed a long inhalation. "I can scent you now. You want it."