"Morning, Sunshine." I look to the side, shooting my best attempt at a glare at six in the morning. "What? Don't I get a good morning back?" He gasps dramatically.
"Hi Jacob." I laugh, rolling my eyes as I drop my stuff on my desk.
"That is the girl I love." Jacob flashes a huge grin, extending a cup of coffee. "Here's your morning dosage of caffeine."
"My hero." I sigh gratefully, taking a big sip before spluttering and cursing.
"Coffee equals hot." Jacob laughs, holding out a napkin. I glare, wiping my mouth and setting it on the table.
"Black! Swan!" A gruff voice calls. I spin, my foot catching on a wire and sending me falling back. I prepare to hit the ground before hitting Jacob's arms.
"Um, thanks." I mumble, heat slowly working through my cheeks.
"Seems like a daily routine, Bells. I swear, your the clumsiest person I know." Jacob grins to show he's joking and I smile back, moving to my feet. "Any idea what the boss wants?" He asks, heading across the room with me. Sleepy faces gaze up at us along with the few alert ones, morning people like Jacob.
"Nope. I haven't heard anything." I answer, giving him a worried look.
"It's probably nothing, just chill." Jacob rests heavy hands on my shoulders, walking behind me in to the office.
"Close the door." Harry Clearwater orders, deep voice booming through his small office. Harry is a more gruff man, pretty short and usually found behind his desk or looming over yours. But even with his small height, Harry is probably the most terrifying person in the office. He worked in the FBI before this, a job Jacob and I left as a team. Harry liked that so he put us as partners. Over the three I've been working with him, Harry has gained a high level of my respect.
He reminds me of my father in so many ways.
"Sit." Harry doesn't look up from his work. Jacob and I exchange a glance before dropping in to the two chairs across from 'The Boss'. Slowly he lifts his head, giving us a look that makes me feel seven instead of twenty three.
"Do either of you know why you're here?" He begins, crossing his hands over the table. I chance a look at Jacob and once again, he shrugs.
"No." We say in unison, gazing forward.
"It's about your last case." Harry's voice softens slightly and he rubs his eyes, setting his glasses in front of him. "Mainly, it's about you Isabella." Panic sweeps through my body.
"What is it?" I blurt out, unable to hold the words in.
"Larry, your suspect, found out some things about the case you worked." I wait for a moment and finally his eyes open, meeting mine. "He knows it was you, Isabella. He doesn't know about Jacob, but he knows where you live, your schedule."
"What?!" I cry, pure panic consuming my body.
"Please, don't panic yet. I've already made plans for you. I'm going to be sending you to New York. You'll be living there as a normal person. A few job options have already been arranged." Harry reaches for his glasses, a sign the meeting is over, before I'm on my feet.
"No! I refuse. I can't live like some boring, everyday person Harry and you know that. If I have to stay here and face him I will. You can not make me some fresh out of college, boring little––" I begin heatedly.
"That's what I thought you'd say." Harry chuckles, the barest idea of a smile hinting at the edge of his lips.
"Wait." I cut in, voice utterly confused. "Uh...what?"
"There's a mob up in New York, one we've been trying to break for years. They got one of our agents a few years back and since then we've doubled our efforts to take them down. Only, non of the agents we've sent have been good enough to keep the cover or stay in. Most just backed out or we had to pull them out. I convinced the agency to put you in, especially with this new addition to the scenario. Well, what do you say Isabella?"
"Oh." I fall back in to my chair, Jacob's comforting hand falling on my own. My thoughts begin to swim, pulling me each direction on what choice to make. So many problems, yet so many rewards.
"I don't mean to push, but we don't have much time." Harry warns gently.
"Yes. I'll do it."
"Glad to hear it. This will be good for you, finally a big job." He turns away from me, putting his glasses on. "Jacob, you'll be taking her to the airport. Here are your tickets." Harry slides two pieces of paper across the table and Jacob reaches forward, grabbing them both.
Jacob and I both stand, me smiling at Harry, before we leave his office.
"So, Jake, what do you think?" I ask eagerly, the fear gone in a wave of excitement. I look over and the wonder resides slowly. His face is tight, tan skin drawn over his high cheek bones. Jacob's eyes move over to mine, flashing and furious.
"In. The. Car." He says through clenched teeth before we're exiting the building and heading towards the parking garage. Suddenly, the last hour with my best friend doesn't seem like it will be filled with laughter and teary goodbyes.
Now, I have a strong feeling these last sixty minutes will be filled with silence, screaming, and a goodbye we'll both regret.