I must have been the colour of a tomato as I stood at the checkouts to pay for my shopping. Jordi had left soon after I gave him my number and I came down here to pay, practically swooning from side to side.

The total of the shop came to a hundred dollars which was a tad more expensive then I was expecting but I didn't care. I packed up all the clothes and food into the gym bag then carried it all to the car, popping it in the boot nicely.

The car wasn't anything special, it was a cheap 1998 Ford thunderbird. When Melina and I first arrived in Chicago we knew that we would need separate cars to get to and from university and then work. The thunderbird was mine while Melina had some Honda. Both cars were used and beaten to a pulp but Melina's caused more trouble than it was worth so when we quit university we sold hers and kept my thunderbird.

She slowly started calling it "our thunderbird" and started using it a lot more than I did but apparently as it was my car it was still my responsibility to keep the tank filled up. Funny how that works.

I jumped into the drivers seat and switched on the engine. My heart still beating fast from my run in with the man from earlier. He said his name was Jordi and, oh my lord, he was smooth like no one I've ever met. Plus the fact that he could probably melt a diamond if he was put in the same room as one.

It was only beginning to near nine thirty so I still had another half an hour till I was to meet Melina. I opted to drive to the meeting place to park up then jumped out the car and walked to the starbucks about a block down the road. I walked in and took a seat by the window, ordered a caramel latte then scrolled through social media sites on my phone.

Facebook was my go-to app, I didn't have many friends on their as I wanted to just have it for people I would talk to and keep in touch with. However, this morning it was quiet. It was Sunday so most people were probably having lay ins but it would be nearly four o'clock in England. Surely someone was around.

I sat for twenty minutes in starbucks but downed my drink probably in the first five. As I stood up to leave I bought another two lattes, one for myself and one for Melina. I strolled back to the car slowly when I felt a buzz in my pocket. I waited until I was back in my car with the drinks resting on the dashboard before pulling out my phone.

"I am pretty sure that you, Miss Clark, have broken my spine. I demand that we meet up this evening for dinner at Pablo's Pizza place to talk about how much you owe me. Jordi."

I smirked down but a tang of disappointment ran through my body. He was direct, I liked that in people, if they were going to ask me something I'd rather they just came out with it rather than tiptoe around me. Jordi was clear but in a joking way that was too attractive to me but I wouldn't be able to meet with him this evening as I'd probably be with T-Bone all day discussing hacker things.

"Sorry, Jordi. Tonight's no good for me, however if you really have broken your spine then I can't say no to dinner anything night. Clark."

I tapped in quickly, my cheeks blushing crimson again. This guy had such an effect on me, most likely because I was a romantic little twerp who fell at the feet of anyone who was as simple as polite to me or maybe it was because Jordi was my type or maybe it was- something else. A reply came back almost instantly.

"Now you're breaking my heart, Clark, that'll cost you extra. Just send me a day when you're free and we'll meet then. Jordi."

"That sounds like a plan." I instantly texted back, giddy. I added a wink face at the end and hit send, I was going to text him again with a date and time rather than to keep him hanging when my phone began to buzz in my hand and an unknown ID was calling me.

I lifted the phone to my ear, frowning.

'Hello?'

'Clark, it's T-Bone. I sent the details to Melina's phone but she hasn't answered. Where are the two of you?'

'Shopping?' I frowned into the phone, T-bone sounded rough, his voice was more gravely than I remembered and he sounded out of breath. 'Is everything alright?'

'It's fine. It's just someone on my little dream team is being a BIG FUCKING NIGHTMARE!' He picked up his voice at the end of his sentence as if he was calling out to someone where he actually was. 'Could you girls hurry up if you can? Shit's melting over here.'

'Sure thing. Bye.' I mumbled, pulling the phone away and tucking it into my pocket, just as I was about to jump out the car to find Melina there was tapping at the passenger door window. I leaned over to push open the door and Melina jumped in, slamming a load of bags onto the back seat.

'Perfect timing.' I giggled. 'I was about to go look for you. Latte?'

'What- I mean, yes, sorry, yes please.' Melina sat in her seat politely and grabbed the cup closest to her and eagerly brought it to her lips and took a sip. After a short swig, she pulled away and let out a large breath with a huge grin across her face. 'How was your shopping?'

'Good.' I smiled, turning the engine of the car on. 'Bought some food, some clothes and a cool hat.'

'Did you get my jump-'

'Obviously.' I winked at her and reversed out of the car park and headed towards the highway. '...So, where to? T-Bone called and said he sent you the address.'

'It's in the Wards.' Melina whispered after another swig of her drink. 'The southern part. I'll guide you when we get there.'

'Oh right.' I nodded, still smiling. '... How did everything go on your end?'

'God damn bank was busy as hell, seems like everyone has fucking problems today.' Melina cursed, she through her free hand up in the air and that's how I knew I was in for some storytelling. 'Then I go to the gun store, I show my card and ask for two Spec Ops 1911, one regular Chrome, One AK-47 and a G106. The guy just looks me up and down and says "You look about five years old, get out my shop" I had to pull out every little bit of ID I had on me just so the damn guy would serve me. So he agrees but all he gives me is the Spec Ops 1911 and I say "this isn't what I asked for" and he says "well that's all you're getting, honey pie" and I just wanted to kick in his teeth.'

'... Oh right.' I gulped. 'So you only got the two guns then?'

'Oh no. I demanded to speak with his manager, who I told all this too and I said "I am willing to pay for all these guns in cash, I have a legal licence to own weapons and I am of a legal age anyway" and the manager was so sweet, he gave me everything I asked for and a ten percent discount… Which I used to buy some extra clips for the guns.'

'Well… I'm sure they'll do great at intimidating whoever we may come across on this job.' I whispered as I pulled off into the highway heading towards the Wards.

'Yes...' Melina whispered. 'Intimidate.'

The car journey was short, the radio played new pop songs very quietly as Melina slowly drank her latte and I attempted to keep mine balanced in between my legs. I drove south like Melina told me and before long she cut in and was directing me down roads and alleyways.

'I think it's here.' She mumbled suddenly, running her fingers through her hair. 'Come on, let's go meet this dream team of his.'

I parked up on the side of a construction site and grabbed my bag from the boot of the car as Melina grabbed hers from the back seat. I locked the car quickly and ran to catch up with Melina who was already walking towards the abandoned building, glaring down at the phone in her hand.

'... It should be in here.' She grumbled. 'But, it's so open. I was expecting like an underground lair or something.'

I shrugged my shoulders and walked on ahead and into the building, I looked up and saw a security camera on the edge of the building staring right down at us. I turned to Melina and put up my thumb happily, they knew we were here. The camera had to be theirs as it watched us perfectly, following where we walked.

We entered the building, pushing our way through a garage door then turned to face the empty space.

'... Well this is underwhelming.' I mumbled.

The room was practically bare, there was not even much rumble across the floors. Only spray-painted gang symbols all over the walls and empty food wrappers most likely from squatters and mistake-making teenagers.

'This can't be it.' Melina growled. 'This is- This is practically baron.'

'Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you honey, but this is it.' A thick southern accent laughed from behind us. I jumped around in shock, throwing my bag off my shoulders and at the voice in sheer surprise. The bag hit something and quiet curses followed.

It was only then that I realised T-Bone was doubled over, my bag laying in front of him as he held onto his stomach in pain. 'You have t-the reflexes of a l-lion, girl, but I ain't your enemy.'

I gulped and walked over to him shamefully, I hadn't meant to hurt him so soon, he just surprised me was all. I picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder again just as T-Bone stood up straight and eyed both Melina and I up.

'Well in light, you're both even smaller than usual.' He huffed. 'But maybe that's a good thing, fuck if I know. Anyway, follow me. I'll take you to your offices, miladys.'

T-Bone turned on his heel and started heading back outside the building, I followed quickly in step with Melina just behind me. We were led around to the back and then down a large flight of stairs into what seemed to be some sort of basement. The pipes were huge and covered in damp patches then on the ceiling, the paint was chipped and cracking.

'So… This is the base of operations?' Melina assumed, stepped forward till she was walking at T-Bones side.

'For the most part. This is where the two of you will be primarily working as well as my two boys. I'll be here too but I do have a friend of mine from out of town keeping an eye on us and our work so that if shit hits the fan real quick we don't have to rebuild from the ground up. We're being careful, Blume is watching everyone like hawks and- well, they seem to be super fans of people like me.' T-Bone explained, leading us through a maze of underground corridors.

'Who are your two boys?' I asked, also stepping up so I was beside T-Bone on his other side. The corridor was a little too small for it so I repeatedly banged my shoulder against the wall but I wasn't fussed.

'One is an old buddy of mine, worked with me when we build ctOS. We had this little base of our own called the bunker- we don't have anymore 'cause some bitch from Blume took it from us. The other one- well… You'll see for yourself.'

'No way- you mean Frewer don't you?!' Melina suddenly gasped. 'Tobias Frewer! I've heard so much about him. He was like "hot shit" where I used to work, nobody shut up about him and his amazing work.'

'You should say that to him.' T-Bone laughed. 'You'd be the first person ever to be a fan of his work.'

'She seems to have a an obsession for everyone who makes a living from killing people.' I mumbled before I realised what I said. '... She says, not meaning to sound like an asshole.'

'Think whatever you want about me, honey, but Tobias never killed anyone- not intentionally in any case. Myself and Aiden however- well-'

'Holy shit! Aiden Pearce!' Melina sounded screamed, I grabbed at my ears for protection as did T-Bone beside me as Melina jumped into the air in shock. 'Are you kidding? The fucking vigilante is here! Near by! Right now!'

T-Bone laughed heartily. 'Your enthusiasm is fucking insane but I'm sure it won't go underappreciated. Come on, it's not far now.'

T-Bone led us down one last corridor until we reached a large metal door, we followed in T-Bone's lead as he opened the door and shoved it open, revealing to me what could only be a nerds heaven.

Computer screens were lined around the room like wallpaper, there were large computer monitors against the wall also emitting different colours of green and red. In the middle of the room was four rows of desks stood one after the other each with a large computer on it with several screens each. The room was littered in trash and packaging but the echo of quiet rock music made it feel like home for me.

'Vive la revolution- or some other shit.' T-Bone chuckled as he turned, Melina must have been pulling the same dumbfounded expression I was as neither of us moved for several minutes as we just stared.

'Welcome to the Fox Hole.'