Chapter 16

-Sebastian-

"What the fuck is going on? Why isn't she answering her phone?" I thought. I was panicking. She stopped answering me right before lunch. I told Ashley to take her out and she reported that she was very full and went back to work but something happened. I tried asking about it but Ashley didn't know either. She said that Jianna wouldn't talk to her about it. I've been trying to contact her ever since.

"Mr. Cross, do you have any suggestions?" asked the speaker on the podium.

"Suggestion for what?" I asked genuinely, but I suppose people are so used to my eccentricity that my response was met with a few light laughs.

"Looks like Mr. Cross's famous brain is busy at work." the moderator joked. "As I was saying, do you have any suggestions regarding renewable energy like solar and wind, to power rural areas in third-world countries?"

I tried to look serious and like I was paying attention.

"Well, to be honest, it will be an extremely expensive venture but one that would pay well in the long run. Not only financially to all investors involved but economically as well." I sounded automated. Like I've been saying this over and over again.

Truth is, I couldn't give two shits about what's going on right now. I tried to focus on the meeting at hand, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't help but wonder what could have happened to Jianna. Was she hurt? Was she in trouble?

"Well if no one has any other questions, I guess we can adjourn for the day. See you all tomorrow. And a huge thank you to Mr. Sebastian Cross for gracing us with his presence today. Mr. Cross, it's been a pleasure." said the commentator as applause rang in the auditorium.

I looked at everyone and gave them a slight smile and a nod. I motioned for one of my guys to stay close. We're leaving.

As I left the stage, a couple of people approached me to shake my hand. A lot of "it's great to meet you" and "your speech is life-changing". It was mind-numbing.

"Sir?" said Asher. Head of my personal security.

"Tell Daryl to pull the car around. We're going to Jianna's" I said as more people started approaching me. "And for the love of fuck, can you please cordon off these people?"

"Yes, sir." he talked into his sleeve, and the next thing I knew, three men got in front of me. "Ready when you are Mr.Cross," said Asher from behind.

We started walking to the door when a 5'10" blonde with legs for miles in a form-fitting black dress started walking towards us. She stopped in front of my guys and it forced them to stop as well.

"Mr. Cross," she said, looking straight at me like my boys weren't even there. "Can you spare a minute for me?" her stare was intense. Like she knows what I'm thinking.

"I'm sorry...Miss..." my voice trailed off.

"Smith," she replied stoically.

"Miss Smith. I apologize in advance for being abrupt but I have to be somewhere right now. You can schedule an appointment with my secretary and I'll make sure to let her know to pencil you in as soon as possible. Now if you'll excuse me." I tried to start walking again.

"You don't know what you're getting yourself into. This is bigger than you. Back the fuck off." she whispered. That definitely got my attention.

"It's ok guys." I patted them on the shoulders. They parted but Asher stopped me.

"Sir. Jianna?" he whispered. I looked at my phone. Still no answer.

I looked at this, Ms. Smith. "You have two minutes starting now."

"Jianna. Or whatever her name is. She's a sleeper." she said as a matter of fact. "Her memory has temporarily been wiped ever since her training ended 5 years ago. She's an agent for our organization Mr. Cross."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. This woman just came up to me and told me that the person I'm starting to fall in love with is a sleeper agent. Seems too ridiculous. What are the odds that she would end up on my doorstep the minute that my team and I are starting to gain some traction? This cannot be a coincidence.

"Why should I believe you? Who the fuck are you anyway?" I scowled at her.

She gave me a black folder with the word "RED" typed in the front in big bold letters. "Everything is in there. Her training. Her handler. Her codeword. Everything."

I looked at her, bewildered. I have to see Jianna. Now.

I turned and rushed towards the exit. Asher followed closely behind me as we made our way towards the car. My mind was racing with thoughts of betrayal and deceit. Could

Jianna be a sleeper agent? Was she lying to me this whole time? My heart ached at the thought of it.

"Asher, do you have a location on Jianna?" I asked since she's not answering her phone.

"Yes sir, she's just getting home. Looks like she stayed late at work. I just spoke with security and he said that she left very distressed. He also said that he left with a man but he couldn't see who it was." Asher reported.

A man? What the fuck? I leave for a day and she already has someone else on the side? What the fuck is going on?

I was starting to get very agitated and impatient as we drove towards Jianna's apartment. I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread that she had deliberately lied to me to get into my company and rage because of the unknown man who was seen leaving with her. The silence in the car was deafening, and all I wished for was nothing more than to hear her voice. To kiss her lips. To touch her body. Truth be damned.

I've put the folder in the seat beside me and I've been staring at it the whole car ride to her apartment. I haven't seen what's inside and I don't know if I wanted to know. Red? I wonder what that meant.

When we arrived at her building, I saw that the light to her apartment was on but I didn't see any movement in the apartment itself. I got out of the car as fast as I could and instructed Asher to take his men and round back the alley to check the perimeter. I rushed to her front door when I saw Asher go up the alley.

As I was about to knock on her door, the door opened. She was standing there with... Bucky? My brain is not processing what my eyes are currently looking at.

"Sebastian." Jianna gasped.

"What the fuck is this?" I growled.

"Sebastian, I'm sure you remember James. He just took me home. He saw me distraught after I got a weird note tonight." she explained quickly. I also noticed that she distanced herself from Barnes.

I went into her apartment and stood between her and him. I put my arm around her and led her away from him.

"Why didn't you call me back? I would've come back." I said kissing her forehead.

"I'm not going to pull you from whatever you're doing for any minor inconvenience I'm going to have." she rolled her eyes.

At the corner of my eye, I see Barnes just standing there. He didn't look uncomfortable. He looked pissed. Good.

"Baby, I will always drop everything for you. You're not just a minor inconvenience to me." I whispered, pulling her closer.

I heard Barnes clear his throat behind me.

"J...Jianna...I'm umm gonna get going." he stammered.

Jianna tried to look at him but I held her chin and pulled her face to look at me. I waved him off.

"Thanks for looking after my girl James. I am in your debt." I said ambiguously.

"Yeah. Ok. See you around J." he said directing his comment to Jianna.

"Thank you again, James. I'll see you---" I pulled her in for a kiss before she could finish her sentence.

When I heard the door close, I broke away from the kiss, ready to confront Jianna about Ms. Smith's accusations. But as I looked into her eyes, I saw nothing but honesty and fear.

"What's wrong, Sebastian?" Jianna asked concern etched on her face.

I debated if I wanted to confront her.

"Nothing. I was just really worried about you is all." I wasn't lying. I was going insane from worry. I pulled her in closer and she snuggled in my embrace. I kissed her on the top of her head. It's like a drug to me. I missed her body next to mine. I turned to look at her and she looked at me. I want her. All of her. She's mine. And she needs to know that.

I grabbed her leg, lifted her, and put her on my lap so she was straddling me. I grabbed her hair with both my hands and pulled her in for a kiss. I didn't realize how jealous I was until I was kissing her. I wanted to ravage her right then and there but I didn't want to scare her. Instead, I pulled back from the kiss and kissed her neck, trailing my lips down to her collarbone. She moaned softly, and I couldn't help but smile against her skin. I continued to kiss her, my hands roaming over her back and pulling her in closer. I could feel her heart beating wildly against my chest, and it only made me want her more.

"You're mine. No one else. Mine." I growled in her ear as I started my way back down to her neck. She thrusted her head back and her moans started to grow louder. I hungrily press my lips against her neck as I let out a deep, passionate moan. I moved to her ear lobe, licked it, and slowly sucked the lobe.

Her moans of guilt and pleasure filled the air as our eyes locked together. An uncontrollable force drove her to pull me closer, gripping the back of my head. She was finally going to feed into her needs and desires-as I've fantasized about many times. But as I was about to give in, she pushed me away. She lowered her head.

"I'm sorry Sebastian. I can't. I'm so sorry." she said as she got off my lap.

"What do you mean? What do you mean you can't? Do you know how many women would kill to be where you are right now?" I don't know why I said that.

"Then have them." She stood up and walked to the door and opened it.

"You can go now," she said pointing to the door.

I stood up. Took a deep breath. Buttoned my jacket and walked to the door.

"Ms. Spencer." I nodded to her and started heading out the door.

I saw Asher at the bottom of the stairs of the apartment.

"Let's go," I said to him coldly.

"Sir." he nodded.

I turned around and looked at Jianna still standing at her door.

I hesitated to leave, remembering the last thing Ms. Smith told me before leaving the conference.

"How do you know this and why should I care?" I asked dismissively.

"Because I was sent to kill her," she said emotionlessly