Alex quickly moved defensively in front of me. "Don't hurt her."
Suddenly, Rothman had that chilling look in her eyes again. Then her expression went blank. She slowly lowered the gun. "I cannot hold a gun to the son of John Rider."
"How do you know he's my father?"
"Why, you look just like that handsome devil."
"How do you know him?"
"He had worked for Scorpia many years ago. He was our best assassin. I'd grown fond of him, but then he tragically died."
"In a plane crash."
"Is that you were told?"
"It's a lie, isn't it?" Alex asked, sounding shocked and hurt at the same time.
"So, I still don't know why you two are here," Rothman said, changing the subject.
I spoke up. "We're looking to join Scorpia."
Rothman laughed. "You're kidding, right?"
"No, we're not," Alex said.
Rothman stared at us for a while. "Why?"
"Revenge," Alex and I said simultaneously. Alex continued, "Both of us are government agents. We've been manipulated and used by our governments. We're forced to do things we don't want to do."
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to follow in my father's footsteps."
Rothman smiled at Alex. "I would be honored to have John Rider's son working for Scorpia." Then her smile faded, and she tightened her grip on the gun. "I don't know about the girl though."
"Either you take us both, or you don't have either of us."
"You're in no position to make demands."
"Mrs. Rothman, both my parents are dead. My uncle is dead. She's all I have left. I'm not going to let anything or anyone take Cam from me."
"Cam?"
Alex tensed up, realizing his slip of tongue.
"What are your real names?"
Alex and I were silent. Rothman raised her gun again, threatening to fire.
"Camryn Albright," I blurted out.
"Alex Rider," Alex said reluctantly.
"Camryn Albright…The CIA's star sniper – am I correct?"
I nodded.
"Alex Rider…MI6 Special Operations."
Alex nodded.
"I'll think about it. See me tomorrow morning at 10:30 sharp. Now leave."
Alex and I hurried out of Rothman's office and made our way out of the mansion. Alex laid the camera by the sleeping photographer, and we began walking back to the suite.
"What do you think of Mrs. Rothman?" Alex asked me.
I shrugged. "She kind of scares me."
"I was scared when she pointed the gun at you."
"That was a really stupid move you made back there, Alex," I chided. "She could have killed you."
"I know, but I was only thinking of protecting you."
"Yeah, by getting yourself killed," I retorted harshly.
"Look, Cam, I'm not dead. Mrs. Rothman didn't kill me. Shouldn't you be grateful that I was worried enough to put my life on the line to protect you?"
"I'm sorry, but I know that if I lose you, I'd be so lost. I'd be a terrible wreck."
"Cam-"
"You're one of my closest friends. I can't bear to lose you."
Alex took my hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. We walked the rest of the way back to the suite in silence. Once we arrived at the suite, I put the perfume bottle back into the cabinet. I came out of the bathroom and made my way across the bedroom. I wasn't going to bother changing my clothes. I was too tired. Alex intercepted me as I reached the door. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me.
"Alex, you don't have to fake this when we're alone," I told him.
"I'm not faking, Cam. I never was."
I gaped at him in shock. I'd totally forgotten about what he had said the night before.
"I understand if you only think of me as a friend. I just have to let you know how I feel."
"I do know," I said quietly.
"How?" It was Alex's turn to be in shock.
"You spoke to me last night. I really wasn't asleep."
Alex sighed with a hint of relief. "Well, that saves me the explanation, then." Then he hugged me. "I really care about you, Cam."
"I care about you, too – but just as a friend."
"Thank you." Alex kissed my cheek and released me.
I went to the living room and lay down on the couch. I pulled the blanket over my shoulder and fell asleep.