Life on the Edge
Chapter Seven
Elisabeth sat down gracefully at the small two person table near the back of her chosen café. She had gotten hungry during her walk and knew that if she wanted to continue she'd need to eat somewhere. So she had stopped at a place called Cupping Room Café and so far it looked promising. The café had a dark, rich toning to it and made her feel right at home. Elisabeth sighed happily as she leaned back into the comfortable chair, looking down at her breakfast. Well, now it would technically be brunch.
She had bought a simple chocolate croissant, an apple and cider omelet and a glass of iced tea. So, her day was looking up. Elisabeth pulled her plate closer to her and felt her mouth water. Elisabeth grabbed her fork and knife and eagerly started cutting into her omelette. Just as she was about to take the first bite the door of the café opened. Blue-green eyes flashed upwards only to widen in shock. Walking over to the counter was the same man who was guarding her target. What was his cover name again? Something Bradley.
Elisabeth tensed for only a moment before she left out a slow breath, like she would if handling a sniper. Hey, you never know what weapons will be at hand. So she had trained with them all. The brunette forcefully relaxed herself and pressed on with her brunch. Her eyes would constantly be flickering between her meal and the man as he waited for his food. Once he had a plate and glass in his hands he turned to look around the café. And of course, his strangely intense eyes landed on her.
She had the sudden need to flee. Her body's natural instinct to the sudden warmth that washed over her, just liked before. She forced her eyes back on the eggs she was cutting, hoping to any God that he would ignore her. But of course, no one was listening to her crying pleas. The man sat down at the table right on the other side of hers. If she just looked up once she'd have an easy view of him without anything blocking. But of course, she told herself not to. If she looked up that would be giving way to temptation. Something an agent was forbidden to do.
Her brow scrunched together as she finished her omelette as quickly as she could. His sudden appearance was a test on her will and that was it. Nothing more. Elisabeth pulled her cool drink closer and took a long swig. She could take the croissant with her but she'd have to finish her drink there. She set the iced tea down for a moment only to her hand ran through her hair and let it settle back before finishing the drink and standing. Elisabeth took the croissant and quickly left the café, tearing away at the chocolate and bread.
The hot sunlight on her arms felt much better than the cool air-conditioning inside the café. Elisabeth took a deep breath and sighed. She was safe. There was something in the way that agent walked and his eyes that made her want… well, it made her want. She didn't know what but Elisabeth knew that it would eventually be her undoing if she let herself get closer to him. She would kill Aalmers and get the hell out of this country.
Elisabeth Mas was about to have a freaking break down. Everywhere she freaking went one of the agents was there. She wasn't sure if it was just coincidence or them just very boldly telling her that they were on to her. So, just to make sure she had gotten in a taxi and had the driver bring her to the other side of New York. She ended up in Manhattan, just wandering up and down the streets to pass the time. After about two hours she was extremely happy that she hadn't worn heels that day.
The brunette finally stopped once she realized that daylight was fading fast. She sighed and sat down on the cub beside her. On both sides of her was a car and the sun was setting behind the multiple skyscrapers. She nibbled carefully on the corner of her lip before shaking her head. There was too much going on. It was all still a lot for her to take in compared to Barrels.
There were footsteps behind her, just like always in this city. But what attracted her attention were the footsteps that had stopped behind her. She turned her head and let loose a loud groaned. Standing just a bit behind her was the male agent. He raised an eyebrow at her reaction before stepping closer. Elisabeth instantly stood, feeling the warm alertness that came with his presence.
"Why are you following me?" she snapped after a few moments.
She had to remember that she was still Victoria Wright; the ditzy fluff woman working under her father. She scowled at the man and stopped her foot. He raised his other eyebrow and stopped just a few paces in front of her.
"Safety purposes," he replied before letting his face relax.
She wondered if he was falling for her diva façade but didn't let her hopes up. This was an S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and she knew that they were extremely good at what they do. So she decided to make sure it was believable.
"I don't know what you're thinking but I can and will get a restraining order against you," her frowned deepened and she left her body tense up even more.
He held up his hands and eased back a step. Ha, like that was helping the fire he seemed to start with just his eyes.
Elisabeth propped her hip out and gave the man the stink eye. He chuckled and shook his head.
"Would you like a ride back to the hotel?" he asked.
Now she was really curious. The brunette lifted her eyebrows, her eyes showing the shock that she didn't need to fake.
There was a long pause while Elisabeth considered her options. She could either spend the money on a cab, walk for far too many miles than her feet could take or spend a half hour drive with the man that she was working against.
"It would save you the taxi money," he offered lightly, crossing his arms over his chest.
There was no point in it. Elisabeth sagged and sighed, letting her arms fall to her sides.
"Fine," she grumbled and stepped up off the curb.
She saw him physically relax and inwardly she smiled. So, she had gotten under his radar. Good work Elisabeth. She mentally patted herself on the back before following after the man.
"What did Mr. Aalmers say your name was again?" she asked curiously.
It had been a constant nagging question at the back of her mind. She could remember the woman's cover name, Natalie Porter, but not this man.
He stepped back from her and started leading the way back through the throng of people. She quickly caught up and walked beside him.
"Clint Bradley," he replied easily. "I never got your name."
"Victoria Wright. I'm guessing that I'll be seeing a lot more of you and Miss. Porter around, huh?" She asked teasingly, batting her lashes just to keep her cover.
He chuckled and nodded his head.
"I'd think so, if you're planning on hanging around Aalmers."
They continued walking until they reached an underground parking lot. He led her in and turned into one of the first parking lots.
"Wait, you can remember Natalie's name but not mine?"
He turned and raised his eyebrows at her. Elisabeth shrugged and followed him to a sleek black car.
"Some names just stick, others don't."
Of course, this normally didn't happen to her. She normally remembered names and faces rather well. "So do I call you Clint or Bradley?"
He unlocked the car and waited for her to slide into the passenger seat before getting in himself. They buckled their seatbelts and he started the car.
"You can call me Clint as long as I can call you Tory. Victoria is just a bit to long for me," he answered smoothly as he pulled the car out from the parking space.
Elisabeth's jaw dropped as she stared at him.
"What?" He asked, looking back between her and the road. "Haven't you ever had a nickname?"
She shook her head and turned back to face the windshield.
"No, it's always been Victoria. Even my closest friends have always called me that," she muttered.
It was true; Sofie and Edwin, or anyone for that matter, always used her full name. She shook her head.
"I don't mind it though. It just means that I didn't have much of a childhood," she laughed after.
Talking to Clint seemed even harder than just being around him. She had almost spewed a few of her more personal secrets already.
Elisabeth watched him front the corner of her eye as he drove. She noticed that his eyes were everywhere, taking in everything. So, he was probably an assassin for S.H.I.E.L.D., sent to protect against another assassin. This made her smile slightly. Guess that the mighty S.H.I.E.L.D. agents weren't expecting someone like her. With that thought she began making plans.
Clint had driven her to the front entrance of the hotel before driving back around the parking lot. She had waited inside for him and they walked up to the elevator together. Elisabeth had a good idea now of what she was working with. She'd get closer to both men before the Stark Industries party. Then she'd flirt her way into Aalmers bedroom and then she'd have an easy shot from there. And the agents wouldn't suspect a thing as long as all their meetings looked coincidental.
He led her back to her room where she fished out her keys, making sure to keep her automatic hidden. He chuckled when she noisily dropped the key and had to crouch to retrieve it. Just his chuckling send a shiver through her and instantly her mind tried to imagine what he sounded like when he really laughed. Elisabeth quickly unlocked the door and found that nothing had been moved. She turned back to Clint and smiled. Okay, she needed to leave this country fast. Nothing seemed force when she was around him. She hadn't even been doing her little fluffy ditz routine.
"Thank you for the ride back, Clint," she said and took a step back into her room.
"So, will I be safe from a restraining order?" he asked teasingly.
She sucked in a breath through her nose. He had seen right through her front. Just as she had thought. She narrowed her eyes and folded her arms.
"I knew you weren't one of those girls the minute I saw you. You're a good actress Tory."
She almost sighed in relief when she realized that he didn't know who she was just yet.
"Being the ditzy daughter is much easier than the smart daughter," she replied without missing a beat.
He smiled and she just about melted.
"But I'd better get some sleep. The party is going to take a while to get ready for."
His smile dropped into a confused frown.
"The party isn't till Thursday."
She grinned and waved her hand, swatting away his comment.
"I still need to get shoes and figure out how I'm going to style my hair and do my make-up."
"You're doing the prep-girl thing again," he said with a stern look.
Elisabeth smiled sheepishly and ducked her head.
"You're right but I do need shoes. And then I was going to try making some new friends," she gave him a quick flirty smile before stepping back once more and closing the door. "Good night, Clint," she said through the dark wood.
Elisabeth heard him chuckle again through the door before his footsteps sounded, walking away from her room. The brunette sighed and pressed herself against the door, biting her lip with a frown on her face.
She needed to get closer to him to get closer to Aalmers but she wasn't sure that was such a good thing anymore. Clint Bradley, or whatever his name was, tested Elisabeth to her limits. She locked the door and fell heavily onto her bed, rolling onto her stomach. She'd have to call in and make a report but she'd need to do it on a safe line. One that she knew wasn't tapped by the agents. Hell, she really hoped that this all went smoothly.
Hey guys, sorry for the delay.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel characters. Though, the Dutch spies are all mine and I am proud of my babies
So, my delay? The hard drive on my laptop crashed and ended up needing to be replaced. It sucked. I have been going two weeks without writing. Do you know how many plot bunnies surfaced in two weeks?!
Anyway, I'm very interested in this movie. some of you may know it, called 28 Days Later. It's another Jeremy Renner movie and it's about an infection that breaks out in the UK. Very interesting and very addicting. Lots of blood and gore but also, lots of Renner :3
So, thanks to the new people who reviewed the last chapter and I'm sorry for the delay.
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