Me: Sooo Brad says you play Damien on The Vampire Diaries
Ian Somerhalder: Yeah that's right *swirls crystal glass filled with brown liquid*
Me: Cool. Cool. I watch that show a lot. So do some of my characters actually.
Ian: I thought they were Ally Carter's characters?
Me: Well legally they're not mine. But in this story they're mine.
Ian: Fascinating…
Me: Yup…
Ian: So, I guess we'll see how this chapter goes.
Chapter 3
Zach POV
"Gallagher girl, this is the third time I'm calling you. I didn't think it'd be that hard to get away from Macey. Just call me when you're on your way." I pressed end on my iPhone wishing I could snap it shut. Pressing a touch screen just didn't have the same effect as hearing that resounding snap.
I ran my hands through my hair and let out a frustrated sigh. I shouldn't be worried about her. She hated when I worried. Apparently, me worrying undermined her strength and her "boss ass bitchness" (her words, not mine). Maybe I should just call Macey… How much could it hurt?
"Yo, my boy! You got any missions for me? I haven't killed a bitch in a long time." Grant strolled into my office sporting the most ridiculous outfit ever. He wore short spandex, a red polo and sweatbands on his head, wrists, and ankles. I looked him up and down, trying to control my laughter.
"What the hell are you wearing?" Before Grant could answer my question, Nick walked in wearing a matching outfit.
"You know who's a real bitch? That Macey chick. She told me that I need to lose 5 lbs to fit in my tux. Is she kidding? Look at me? I'm a solid ten. I make Abercrombie models look fat." He looked at his reflection in the window, flexing his biceps. I shook my head.
"So, what's with the matching outfits? Tennis doubles?" I joked. They both looked at each other then back at me.
"Yeah," they said at the same time as if the answer was obvious.
"Wii Tennis," Grant added. I looked at both of their serious faces, but didn't respond. Instead I looked down at my phone for the tenth time in that minute.
"What's wrong, big guy? Waiting for a call?"
"It's nothing, Cammie was supposed to be here a little while ago to be debriefed for a mission. But, I'm sure it's nothing." I tossed the phone in the air and caught it. I checked again. No missed calls.
"I'm sure she wasn't the only who was going to be debriefed," joked Grant, nudging Nick. They both laughed until they saw my glare. Grant coughed. "Isn't she at like a dress fitting or something?"
"Yeah, but she said she was going to get out of it," I replied.
"Hah!" Nick chortled. "And her crazy-ass wedding planner was okay with that?"
"Isn't her wedding planner Macey?" Grant asked confused.
"Yeah. Didn't I say that?" responded Nick.
"Guys! Should I call, or what?" I asked exasperated. They both looked at each other silently communicating. Grant turned toward me.
"Zach? When did you turn into such a drama queen?" My head snapped up.
"What?"
"This is Cammie were talking about. Cammie Morgan. Trained Gallagher girl and notorious assassin. Do you think there's anyone out there who can get the jump on her?" said Grant. "You're turning into one of those obsessive boyfriends who worry every time their girlfriends don't text them."
"Yeah, dude. This isn't The Vampire Diaries. Something terrible hasn't happened just because she hasn't answered her phone." I looked at him confused. Grant just nodded as if what Nick was saying made sense.
"I'm sorry. What's The Vampire Diaries?" I asked confused. Grant and Nick looked at each other again, raising their eyebrows. God, they were getting on my nerves.
"It's a show on the CW. These sexy vampires sleep with each other and mess shit up. It's riveting. Cammie, Grant, and I watch it together on Thursdays."
"Wait, you watch this show with my fiancé every Thursday? How come this is the first I'm hearing of this?" I said as jealously curled in my gut. I trusted both Grant and Nick, but that didn't stop me from being annoyed.
"See? This is exactly what I'm talking about. You're extremely paranoid for no reason," accused Grant.
I swiveled in my chair and stared out the window overlooking the city. The view from Parent Agency was amazing. I could just see the Hudson River by the remaining light of day. I tried to sort out my thoughts. If I called her, I'd look like the paranoid fiancé who can't stand to be apart from her. And part of me didn't want to admit how much that was true. I can't stand being away from her. When I'm not with her it's like the constellations in my stomach collapse and burn out. She's my drug, and ever since I've met her, my veins haven't been sober.
"You guys are right. I won't call Macey. Now both of you get the hell out of my office and do some actual work." I said, turning back around. Both of them left the office, kicking and hitting each other like five-year olds. I rolled my eyes at their antics, but watched closely as they walked down the hallway. The moment they were out of my sight I dialed Macey's number.
"This better be important, Goode. I'm busy and don't have time for you," she snapped.
"Hi to you too, Macey. Look I don't really want to hear your nasally voice—"
"Nasally?" she fumed.
"I just want to know where Cammie is," I finished, ignoring her interruption.
"Oh my God, I told you not to waste my time," she said annoyed. "Hey, asshole, use your blinker next time!" she shouted. Horns beeped and the sound of tires squealing against asphalt came through the phone. I moved the phone away from my ear, and ran my hand along my jaw. It was prickly. And while Cammie loved a slight shadow, she hated prickly.
"Macey, can you just ask Cammie when she's coming to the agency?"
"Why don't you just ask her yourself, Zach?" she replied annoyed. I sat up suddenly.
"What do you mean?"
"God Zach, did your IQ take a hit from all those sparring lessons with Cammie?" I ignored her jab. Cammie and I sparred regularly, and while we were mostly evenly matched, she always got a few good hits in. "Cammie left a while ago to go see you."
"How long ago?" I asked alarmed.
"Who do you think I am? Her keeper?" she snarled.
"Macey! How long?" I yelled. My heart began to pound against my ribcage. Maybe I was being a paranoid fiancé, but I was also a hell of a good spy. And my instincts told me something wasn't right.
"I don't know. Like an hour ago. Why?" Her voice was suddenly sharp. Cammie wasn't here and she wasn't with Macey. So where was she?
"Zach, what the hell is going on," asked Macey firmly.
"Cammie's missing," I said.
"I'll be over in five." I heard the tires screeching before the call ended. I crushed my hand around the phone, willing it to smash into pieces. But, I set it down before I could destroy yet another phone. I tried to calm my racing thoughts. Maybe Cammie got stuck in traffic. That idea didn't hold. Cammie was a maniac driver. She wouldn't let traffic get in her way. But maybe she had stopped to get some food. Macey had recently put her on this strict diet that didn't allow her to eat her favorite foods like deep fried Oreos. I'd seen her sneak them on numerous occasions. But a food run wouldn't have taken this long.
I quickly called Bex and Liz just to verify what I already knew. She wasn't with either of them, but now they were on their way to the agency. I stood up quickly, not able to sit any longer. I took long strides across the office glancing out the window every so often. I tried not to let my thoughts go to a dangerous place. But I couldn't stop recalling the memories from that fateful night a year ago.
Flashback
"This is only the beginning," said Mother. Her breaths were rigid, and blood ran down her face. She still managed to smirk. "Believe me, they're not going to stop until Cammie is dead. And not even you can help her."
"Who are they?" I demanded. Mother just threw her head back and laughed a psycho laugh.
"See you in the afterlife, Zachary."
Flashback over
I was being crazy. It had been a whole year since my old boss had threatened Cammie's life. So far there'd been no incidents, no attempts on her life. So I'd dismissed Mother's threats about there being some greater force after Cammie. But, what if my dismissal was too hasty? What if they decided to act now?
I leaned my forehead against the cool glass. I looked outside at the view. Nothing was wrong with Cammie. She was probably on her way… wait. I pressed my face against the glass. Her red Aston Martin was awfully parked in her usual spot. Without a second glance, I burst out of my office and to the stairs. I wasn't patient enough to wait for the elevators. I took the stairs jumping over the railing rather than taking the steps one at a time.
I ran outside. It was dark out, and the street outside the agency was mostly empty of pedestrians. I tried to recreate what could have happened. She wasn't in the building, but her car was parked outside. I went to her car looking for anything that could clue me to where Cammie was. That's when I spotted it: her earring. I picked it up slowly and numbness spread through my body like ice. She was gone.
Review if you want! I always appreciate your thoughts. Btw who else loves The Vampire Diaries?
