Chapter 32

"What are you doing, Claire?"

Claire turned around surprised, "I wasn't expecting you here."

"Yeah, well, I had a feeling you were about to do something stupid." he whispered, "did you find what I was looking for?"

"Meet me outside," Claire whispered.

"I have what you are looking for, but what will you do with this?"

"Have up opened it?" Claire nodded.

"You do know what? That is not what we agreed on. You were not supposed to read it."

"Well, you know me, I like getting all up in your business."

"Just give me the paper."

"No, not until you tell me what you will do with it; things like this can get us killed."

"So you were about to stab Jack in his sleep?"

"No, I was not, and no one can see us alone again. It will start to draw suspicion."

"I know. I have already had to answer many questions I wasn't prepared for."

Claire handed the paper. He opened the paper, "So this is it. We finally got to where we want to be."

"I don't trust you. You better not be screwing me over."

He smiled, "I am a man of my word."

Claire stepped closer, running her index finger over his black leather Jacket, moved her lips inches apart from him, then let out a smile, "you know what I want."

He smiled, "now is not the time for games. As for Max, it's time." Claire's eyes grew wide, "are you sure?"

"That look says it all. You grew attached to him, did you? I warned you about getting too close." Claire nodded, "is there not another way to remove him? I will dump him."

"Claire, we had an agreement, some people up there won't think twice about killing us if we don't follow through with the orders given, and Angela will be back soon. We don't have much time, so let's not waste another minute. You will have till the end of the week."

Claire removed the knife and handed it to him, "you are right about one thing. If you hadn't come, I might have done something stupid. I hate what he did."

"We can't touch him. We have to stick to the orders given. If you touch a hair on his head, we will be on the run for the rest of our lives, probably have to create new identities."

Claire grinned, "I could do with a new makeover."

"Now is not the time for Jokes, Claire. Please stick to your orders, and don't let me return here to remind you of your task. Did he buy that forgotten memory of yours, and what's that blood on your forehead?"

"I fell on purpose when he asked me to leave."

"Why would he ask you to leave in this weather? We both know he likes you."

Claire smiled, she couldn't tell him that she kissed Jack and started to like him, even though it was her best kiss. Yes, she hated Jack, but was that hate fading the more she got to know him? Has he changed her mind about him? It was only supposed to be something temporary. Could she tell him she was sitting with the knife to protect Jack since he was on his own?

"Nothing happened. He wasn't comfortable having anyone over, so that's the reason he wanted me to leave."

"Wipe that blood off your forehead. We will be in touch, and remember, not harm."

Claire played with her nails, "I guess I will see you tomorrow?"

"No, I have some important business to take care of, but I will contact you."

He climbed into his car and drove off. Claire stood outside watching as he drove off and turned around. Looking inside, he was lying, like there was nothing to worry about.

"Does he even care that his sister could lie in a ditch somewhere? She opened the sliding door as quietly as she could. Then sitting on the armchair's edge, she stared at him. "Am I in love with our target?" She questioned as she ran her finger over his cheek and let out a faint smile. He has changed quite abit since. He was this timid kid with freckles and glasses. Claire stood up, walked over to the cabinet, and looked at the family portraits. This is a broken family, "he has lost his mom, and his sister is not around. Maybe destiny wants me to protect him. He was so worried when I bumped my head."

Claire thought her own family was less caring. Her family was always too busy for her, and thats how she got mixed up in this mess. Claire walked over to the kitchen and made herself a sandwich.

"Hey, you still up? Are you okay?"

"I am okay, thank you." She looked up at him. He was still half sleepy. She placed her hand over his cheek, "go back to rest." He stretched out, "What time is it? I dozed off."

"Yes, you did, infact you were in a deep sleep."

Jack turned around, walked up the stairs, and climbed into his bed. Claire had thought he had gone back to the lounge and saw he had taken his blanket. She climbed the staircase and walked to the room with an open door. He was asleep. Her body felt sore from the sofa, so she decides to lay behind him placing her hand over his stomach, "what are you doing?" He whispered, "nothing let's go back to sleep."

Hearing the birds outside and the bright sun shining through the window onto his face, he lay awake. Claire still had her hand around his waist and her leg over his. She was tight asleep. It was 7 am, and it was Saturday morning. He looked down and placed his hands over hers, feeling her breathing on the back of his neck. He had never been this close to her, and her body was warm, making him warmer than he already was. He moved slightly forward, releasing his body from her, as she whispered, "It is Saturday. Let's get some more sleep," She pulled him closer, pressing her lips to his neck. She then kissed the back of his neck, running her hand over his stomach, "what are you doing?"

"Nothing, just getting some more sleep."

Her alarm went off, "can you please pass me my phone?"

He picked up the phone and saw Marcus had messaged. He could not see the message since it was just an envelope on the home screen, and the phone was locked.

"I need to get ready."

"Get ready for what, Jack? It's only us here." She pulled him closer. She turned him onto his back and sat up on his waist. Jack stared at her, remembering her words about Marcus, "No, we can't do this."

"Fine, but this opportunity won't come your way again. Why not loosen up and have a little fun."

Jack smiled, "opportunity, hey, is that what you call it these days."

She realized what she had said and instantly regretted her choice of words.

"Thats not what I mean, Jack." He grabbed a towel and went to the bathroom. she sat crossed legs on the bed. He's the first guy to turn her down. What is it about him that makes her want him more?

Jack was standing under the shower when his phone rang in the room. Claire looked at the phone. It was Melanie, "how did she get his number, and why was she calling him this early?"

Claire picked up the phone, "Melanie, what do you want?"

"Claire, is that you with Jack's phone?"

"Claire realized Melanie would tell Max, but that's fine she was ordered to remove Max."

"Yes, it's me with Jack's phone. He asked me to take the call."

"Oh, that's unlike Jack, but okay, never mind."

"Melanie, don't hang up on me. What is it that you want?" Melanie looked at her phone, Jack with Claire, Claire with Jack. What was going on? She never liked him, and now suddenly they are together all the time.

"Baby, what did Jack say?"

Melanie turned and looked at Max, having a confused look on her face.

"He never answered the phone."

"What do you mean?"

"He never answered the phone, Max. Our plans are screwed. Your girlfriend, my friend, they are together." Max sat on the bed, "What do you mean they are together."

"Your bloody girlfriend answered the phone, Max."

"Claire is at home. How could she have answered his phone this early?"

Melanie laughed, "we have both been played by that bitch."

Max stood up and fastened his jean, putting on his vest, "I knew they were up to something, but sleeping together would have been my last guest."

"So you are jealous." Melanie laughed, "You got played, boy. I guess you got played by your own game, asshole."

Max grabbed Melanie by the throat, "if you know what is good for you, you will shut up."