Chapter 19: Codename: Blackheart Chapter Nineteen

My former mark has officially been staying with me for a week and he’s getting more hostile with each day. He hates being cooped up here. I’ve suggested he go out for a walk but he’s too afraid someone will kill him as soon as he leaves the building. Pretty ironic, seeing as how he’s rooming with a killer. He’s only left once so he could go to his apartment to get his things and even that was with me tagging along, acting as an unofficial bodyguard. How did I go from being paid to kill people to being an unpaid bodyguard? It’s too bad assassins aren’t part of a union, at least then I’d have someone to complain to.

I’ve oh so graciously given him my bedroom, while I’ve been sleeping on the couch. Well, part of it was being generous – he’s far too big for the couch – the other part was strategy. This way if he tries to leave, he’ll have to pass me to get to the door. I can monitor him better this way. 

As I’m getting out of the shower and start to wring my hair out, I catch sight of my wound. I stopped bandaging my arm a couple days ago. It’s not fully healed, but it’ll heal faster if the wound can breathe. Stupid graze ruined one of my favourite tattoos. It was an Egyptian Lotus which was Grandma Talyssa’s favourite flower. Grandpa Titus has a tattoo dedicated to her as well, but he has her name across his chest. I had mine done when she passed away so she will always be with me. 

I dry off, wrap my towel around my body and brush my teeth. When that’s done, I step out of the bathroom, head to the kitchen, and spot Alec out on the balcony taking a call. He is glancing into the apartment nervously; probably checking to see if I'm listening. The moment he sees me, he ends the call and walks back in as I grab my vegetable juice from the fridge. I can feel eyes on me and when I turn I see Alec sitting on the couch. His pupils are dilated as his eyes are glued to my body tracing every inch appreciatively.

“Can I help you with something?” I ask slyly, but he doesn’t seem to hear me. I smirk at just how distracted he is. “Alec?” I call his name, cocking my head to the side. 

He finally seems to snap out of it, his eyes meeting mine. “Huh? Did you say something?” he asks in a daze. I smile, shaking my head and go back to pouring myself a glass of juice. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the way he was looking at me. “How many tattoos do you have exactly?” he quizzes. 

“Never counted.” I shrug as I put the juice back and then turn to face him as I sip from my glass.

“Do they cover your entire body?” he asks, his voice getting low. 

“Do you want to check for yourself?” I smirk. His eyes widen and he begins shifting in his seat. “No, they don’t. Just my arms and legs,” I respond after a moment, taking pity on him. 

He nods as he runs his fingers through his hair. I can’t help but follow the movement. I’d like to be the one to run my fingers through his dark hair. He drags his hands down his face, and it makes me wonder what his hands would feel like on my body. I’m lost in some pretty erotic thoughts to the point I don’t notice Alec staring at me with a sexy smirk on his face.

“You seem distracted,” he teases. 

Shit. I just got caught doing the same thing he did. Since when do I lack basic control? A week stuck in my apartment with this guy has not been good for me. I ignore him and finish my juice putting the glass in the sink, then head to my room to get dressed in a simple pair of light blue, ripped skinny jeans and a purple, satin, spaghetti strap top. One upside to being so small-chested is not having to worry about bras all the time. I feel bad for larger-chested women.

I sit on my bed, open my laptop, and put in my earphones. I open a program on my computer and relax as I begin to listen to an automatically saved recording. I’m halfway through listening to the audio when there’s a knock at the door which causes me to freeze. I close the laptop, get up, and step out into the living room just as Alec looks up at me with fear on his face. I lean over and pull Crimson from between the couch cushions as Alec watches in alarm. I place my finger to my lips indicating for him to be silent and he nods in compliance. I walk over to the door and look through the peephole to see my neighbour, John, patiently waiting on the other side. I put Crimson on the kitchen counter under a dishtowel, then proceed to open the door. Here’s hoping Alec can lie on his feet or I’m about to have a problem. 

I smile wide as I see John’s face, “John, what a nice surprise. Is everything alright?” I ask with genuine concern.

“Everything is fine,” he says with a bright smile of his own. “I’ve heard your TV on lately and assumed you were still home. Just wanted to come by and check on you. How did everything go with your boyfriend?” he asks wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. 

I chuckle and open the door wider, “See for yourself,” I say pointing to Alec who is now gaping at me in shock. “Please, come in.” John walks in and over to Alec with his hand extended. I shut the door as Alec stands and instinctively shakes John’s hand while throwing me a look of confusion. “John, this is Alec, Alec this is my neighbour, John. He’s the one who helped me bring you up here the other night when you were passed out drunk,” I say with a grin. Alec’s head snaps to me so fast I think it might break. He looks utterly shocked, and I don’t bother to hide my amusement.

“You sure did a number on yourself, young man. Took both of us to get you up here and you still didn’t budge,” he chuckles. 

“Thank you for helping me get to bed. I was knocked out so hard you’d think someone had hit me over the head,” he says, briefly narrowing his eyes at me. Oh, so we’re playing that game? This should be fun. 

I walk close and slide my arm around Alec’s waist and hold him close; that cologne I’ve become fond of enveloping my senses. I like how his body feels pressed against mine. His warmth is surprisingly pleasant. He stiffens for a moment before he wraps his arm around my shoulders and relaxes. “I told you not to do so many shots,” I tease.

“What would I do without you looking after me?” he says softly as he places a kiss on top of my head. The kiss is so tender it makes my heart flutter. Oh, he’s good. 

John is just smiling at us warmly. “I was so surprised to learn Rachel here had finally found herself a boyfriend. But happy. She deserves someone special in her life.” Alec glances at me with his eyebrow raised hearing the name ‘Rachel’. I hope he doesn’t actually think that’s my name.

“Well, it’s hard to meet people when you’re jet-setting all around the world. The life of a flight attendant is not as glamorous as you’d think,” I tell him. 

Alec snorts with laughter upon hearing my fake job description. “I can confirm her professional life is definitely not glamorous,” he says with a teasing smile. I glare at him, but this just makes him grin, before leaning down and kissing me on the nose gently. The gesture takes me by surprise, and I have to use all my willpower not to show it, but I can feel my cheeks heating up. Dammit. 

“Now aren’t you kids just adorable?” John comments. “You be good to this one, boy, and best keep making her blush like that,” he says as he playfully punches Alec right in his bad arm making him suck in air sharply through his teeth. I look up at him with concern. Of all the places to hit him. Talk about bad luck. Alec is wearing a black, long-sleeved top and black joggers, so fortunately, John can’t see the wound and mine is now kind of hidden amongst my tattoos. “You okay, kid?” John asks with concern. I gently rub Alec’s back to soothe him as he composes himself.

“Yeah, just had an accident and banged my arm the other day and it’s still pretty sensitive,” he explains. I guess he is good at lying, rehearsed or not. 

“I’ll be sure not to go for that arm again. Sorry ‘bout that,” John apologizes.

Alec waves it off dismissively, “You didn’t know.” 

“John, would you like to stay for lunch?” I suggest. 

John beams happily, “If I’m not imposing.”

I shake my head, “Never. Please have a seat and I’ll get started,” I say as I gesture for him to sit down.

He takes a seat comfortably on the couch, “How’s about some burgers?” John suggests. 

I snort and roll my eyes, “With your cholesterol? I don’t think so,” I say as I walk over to the kitchen. I can hear John grumbling something, but I can’t make it out. 

I start grabbing ingredients to make grilled salmon with mashed potato, beans, and a honey glaze sauce. I’ve had to stock the apartment with more food than usual since I now have additional company. 

Alec walks up behind me placing his hands on my hips and leans forward. I can feel his breath tickling my ear and I have to admit, I love it. He’s enjoying this, I can tell. 

“Need any help, babe?” he asks me. Babe? Did he just call me ‘babe’? No one has ever called me that before. Or maybe they have, and I just didn’t care. Why does it sound so good coming from him? 

I shake my head and smile up at him, “I’ve got it all under control. You go keep John company,” I tell him. 

He smiles sweetly and kisses my cheek tenderly, “Whatever you say.” And with that, he turns to go sit with John, leaving my brain in a haze. 

I thought Alec would struggle to keep up with the lie, but he’s not only keeping up with ease, but he’s also adding to it spectacularly and loving every minute. Not to mention he’s taken every opportunity he can to put his arm around me, hold or kiss my hand, cheek or head and every single time he does, my heart goes crazy. This man might be more deadly than I am. Just when I think I have him figured out and that I’m ahead of the game, something he does throws me for a loop. I’m always so certain of what’s going on and what I need to do but Alec is the wild card in all this. With him, nothing is certain, but it continues to be exhilarating. 

“You two kids haven’t told me how you met,” John says between bites. I now regret not having a dining table in my apartment, but I never needed one before. I never entertained guests, so now we’re all stuck on the couch. My mother would smack my hand for my bad hosting skills. 

“Oh, please let me tell it, babe!” Alec says enthusiastically. 

I shake my head in amusement. Okay, let’s see what he’s got. “The floor is yours.”

“Well, Rachel here was stalking me,” he says casually, causing me to choke on my food. My eyes fly up to look at him. What the actual fuck? 

John just laughs. “Stalking you?” he asks bemused. 

“Okay, that sounds worse than it was. She saw me at this café I like to go to, and she was too nervous to introduce herself.” Me? Nervous? This man is asking to get his ass kicked. “She kept showing up around the same time I would. I started noticing her, but she still never made a move. So, one day I saw her there and I asked her to join me for coffee. Should have seen her face. She was so shocked,” he laughs. I’m going to kill him. “But she said yes, of course, and we’ve been dating since,” he says proudly tucking me under his arm and the gesture has me changing my plans to murder him.

“My little Rachel was nervous to ask a boy out? That doesn’t sound like you,” John teases. 

I shrug, “I guess I was just stunned by his good looks.” This makes John throw his head back and laugh. 

Alec smirks at me, “So I’m good-looking, am I?” he teases. 

“You’re okay,” I shrug. He laughs and kisses my temple. God damn him. 

“Anyone ever tell you what a wonderful couple you two make?” John gushes.

“You would be the first, but thank you,” I say with a bright smile.

“Honestly feels like we’ve been together forever,” Alec coos, kissing my temple again. I’ve lost track of how many times he’s done that now. Before John can throw more compliments at our fake relationship, my phone rings. I reach out and take my phone off the coffee table.

“Excuse me, I have to take this,” I say as I get up and make my way to the balcony while Alec watches on curiously. I close the sliding door behind me and answer the call.