Of Predators and Prey Part 1
Morgan's feet shuffled to a halt as he approached his car in the crowded Buy More parking lot, his mind preoccupied with the chaotic mess his life had been turned into . His hand fumbled in his pocket for his keys when a shift in the air caught his attention.
A sleek, blonde-haired woman with icy blue eyes was walking toward the entrance of the Buy More, her heels clicking against the pavement like the ticking of a bomb about to go off. She was dressed as if she'd just stepped off the runway—flawless skin, a striking figure, and an aura that commanded the space around her. But what set her apart wasn't just her looks; it was the way she moved, fluid yet purposeful, like a predator scanning for her next meal.
Morgan's eyes narrowed slightly, his instincts piqued. He had a knack for sensing danger, and something about this woman felt off. But before he could fully process it, Carina, who had been leaning casually against the side of his car, tensed ever so slightly.
He glanced at her. She was still in her usual facade—arms crossed, nonchalant as ever, yet there was something different about her posture now. Her eyes flickered briefly with recognition, and then came that grin. The one that made people nervous. Sharp, confident, and wickedly playful.
"What is it with you spies and the whole silent standoff thing?" Morgan muttered under his breath, trying to defuse the tension that hung between them.
Carina, without breaking her gaze from the blonde, chuckled lowly. "Call it professional courtesy."
"Uh-huh. Should I be worried?" Morgan asked, his tone only half-joking.
Finally, Carina shifted her attention back to him, though the predatory edge in her demeanor remained. She tilted her head, her smile softening slightly, but not enough to be reassuring. "Relax, you're under my protection. What could possibly go wrong?"
Morgan raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Yeah, because that always ends well."
Before Carina could respond, the blonde woman closed the distance between them. She stopped just a few feet away, her cool blue eyes flicking from Morgan to Carina, a smile playing on her lips. There was something knowing in her gaze, a quiet confidence that told Morgan she wasn't here by accident.
"Red" the blonde woman said, her voice smooth and calm, with an edge that hinted at years of experience. "I didn't expect to see you here. Slumming it at the Buy More?"
Carina's grin widened, but there was no warmth in it. "Blondie. I could say the same about you. What brings the CIA to such humble surroundings?"
The woman, Blondie, as Carina called her, let out a small laugh, though there was no real humour in it. "Business, of course. You know how it is. Paper trails, loose ends… nothing you'd be interested in."
Morgan, standing awkwardly between the two, suddenly felt like the least important person in the world. This wasn't just a casual run-in. There was history here, the kind that was measured in close calls, unspoken grudges, and mutual respect earned on the battlefield—or from shared scars.
"Right, because the Buy More is the hub of international espionage," Morgan muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else. He tried to mask the unease creeping into his chest.
"You have no idea," she said, her voice a mix of amusement and mild condescension, the kind that made Morgan's skin crawl. She then turned her gaze back to Carina, the grin still on her lips but sharpening like a blade. "Who's your new friend, Red? I don't believe we've had the pleasure."
Carina tilted her head slightly, her eyes locked on the blonde, and for a split second, Morgan could see the calculating wheels turning in her mind. There was a quiet intensity in her gaze, the kind of sharpness that came from years of espionage, from playing the long game and knowing when to keep secrets and when to deploy them like weapons. In this moment, Morgan could practically feel the mental chessboard being laid out between the two women. Carina was deciding how much to reveal, how much to keep hidden. He knew enough to recognize that, in the world of spies, information was power—and Carina was a master at wielding it.
Her eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark as she repeated, "My friend?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm, undercut by a playful smirk that hinted at humour, gratitude, and—if Morgan wasn't mistaken—the slightest hint of affection. The corners of her lips curled upward in that familiar teasing way that always kept people on their toes. But this time, there was something else behind it.
Without warning, she wrapped her arms around Morgan, pulling him close in a move that caught him completely off guard. The gesture was almost possessive, her grip firm but comfortable, as if staking her claim while making sure he didn't slip away. Morgan felt a rush of warmth, unsure if it was from her proximity or the sudden shift in tone.
Carina's voice turned saccharine, teasing but with a deliberate undertone. "Oh, Pumpkin is really special, you know." She leaned her head against him briefly, flashing a grin at Sarah, whose cool blue eyes watched the interaction with amused curiosity. "He saved me just the other day. My hero." The way she said it was over-the-top, yet there was a grain of truth in her words, one that only she and Morgan understood.
Morgan blinked, feeling the weight of Carina's arm around him and the unexpected intensity in her voice. "I mean, I wouldn't say I saved her," he stammered, trying to downplay the situation, though his heart raced. "It was more like… I just did what anyone would do in that moment."
The blonde's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, though her smile didn't falter. Beneath her cool, calculating demeanour, there was a faint flicker of respect and perhaps even a trace of relief that she wasn't showing the full extent of. "Is that so?" she asked, her voice smooth and probing, her words laced with curiosity. She was clearly trying to unravel the dynamics between Carina and Morgan, as if the bond between them presented an intriguing puzzle. "Our dear Red, in need of saving? Now that's a story I'd love to hear."
Her gaze remained fixed on Carina, studying every subtle shift in her expression, searching for any crack in her usually impenetrable armour. There was something almost playful in her challenge, but the underlying edge hinted at genuine intrigue. It wasn't every day someone like Carina was placed in a position of vulnerability, and Sarah seemed keen to know just how Morgan had managed to turn the tables.
Carina's smirk widened, but there was no warmth behind it. "Oh, Blondie, you wouldn't believe half of it," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm and amusement. "But don't get too excited. It was a one-off. I don't make a habit of getting into situations that need saving."
Blondie chuckled, her gaze flicking back to Morgan. "I'm sure you don't, Red," she said softly, though there was a hint of challenge in her voice. "But it looks like this 'Pumpkin' has more layers than I gave him credit for."
Morgan chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck in a futile attempt to break the tension. "Umm… I do happen to have a name, Miss," he stammered, trying to inject some humour into the moment, though his nerves betrayed him. His laugh was more of a nervous sputter than the confident chuckle he was aiming for.
Blondie raised a single eyebrow, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and something else—something harder to place, maybe even a touch of admiration. The corners of her mouth curled into a slight smirk as she took a step closer, her gaze never wavering from Morgan. Her heels clicked softly on the pavement, each step deliberate, measured, as if the space between them was part of a much larger game, one she was always in control of.
"Oh, I know your name," she continued, her tone smooth, almost condescending, though laced with an odd sort of respect. There was a subtle shift in the way she spoke now, as if she was peeling back a layer of pretence. "Morgan Grimes. Former cybersecurity consultant for the FBI. Dismantler of some of nastiest malwares to be out there. The unsung hero of the botnet crisis. One of the most reputable white-hat hackers on our watchlist."
Her eyes gleamed as she paused for effect, watching his reaction. Morgan felt the weight of those words settle over him, the gravity of being recognized not as some Buy More employee, but as someone who had made a real mark on the world. He shifted his weight uncomfortably, feeling exposed, but there was something almost flattering in the way she said it—as if his accomplishments meant something even in the shadowy circles she inhabited.
Blondie's smirk deepened, a flicker of something darker playing in her eyes. "Our hackers... they're a big fan of your work." She let the words hang in the air for a moment, savouring the impact. "They practically worship the ground you walk on."
Morgan blinked, his mind racing to keep up. Worship the ground I walk on? That was definitely new. He wasn't used to hearing that kind of praise, especially not from someone who looked like she could dismantle him as easily as a piece of outdated software
The way she said it, though, it didn't feel like flattery—it felt more like a warning. As if his reputation had travelled far beyond the realm of legal hacking, into the dark alleys where even his best efforts could be twisted, used, manipulated.
He swallowed hard, feeling a mix of pride and discomfort. "Uh, well, I wouldn't say worship... maybe just appreciate my work?" He attempted a grin, but it felt awkward, especially under Blondie's unflinching gaze.
Carina, standing beside him, shifted slightly, her eyes never leaving Blondie, though Morgan could sense the amusement rolling off her. She had clearly expected this kind of recognition—hell, maybe she even enjoyed watching him squirm. Still, there was an underlying tension in the way Carina held herself, as if she was waiting for the moment to jump in when this verbal sparring would become something more dangerous.
Blondie- or Sarah as she preferred to go by during this particular assignment, tilted her head slightly, her smirk never faltering as she glanced back at Carina. "You've found yourself quite the asset, Red," she remarked, her voice smooth and confident. "I have to say, I'm impressed. Didn't expect someone with his background to be here, of all places." She flicked a glance at the neon Buy More sign, a sneer curling at the edge of her lips. "What a waste of talent."
Carina, still standing close, shifted slightly, her body language remaining casual, but Morgan could sense the tension radiating off her. Her amusement at the situation hadn't vanished, but there was something more protective in the way she held herself now, like a lioness watching another predator approach her territory. She draped an arm around Morgan's shoulders, pulling him a little closer, her fingers lightly brushing the fabric of his shirt as she leaned into him. Her voice was tinged with affection that seemed out of character for her usual devil-may-care attitude, a possessiveness that didn't go unnoticed by Sarah.
"Oh, Blondie," Carina drawled, her eyes never leaving the blonde agent, "I'm not in the habit of explaining myself to anyone, least of all my old colleagues. So why don't you take your curiosity elsewhere before this gets… personal."
Sarah's amusement only deepened, her gaze flicking from Carina to Morgan and back again. "Personal?" she repeated with a soft chuckle, the sound dark and almost purring. "Well, Red, it's not every day I see you getting possessive. I have to admit, it's cute."
Carina's grip on Morgan tightened ever so slightly, and he felt the warmth of her body pressed against his, a stark contrast to the chill in Sarah's eyes. "Cute isn't the word I'd use," Carina said, her tone steady but laced with warning. "He's off-limits, Blondie. Stay in your lane."
Sarah's smirk widened, turning more calculating as her eyes narrowed, a glint of something darker flashing within them. "Oh, I see. You always had a habit of taking what's mine, didn't you?" Her tone was light, almost playful, but there was venom beneath the words. "But don't worry, Red," she added, taking a deliberate step back, though her smirk remained intact. "Maybe this time, I'll be the one to return the favour tenfold."
Carina let out a dry laugh, the sound dripping with sarcasm. Her brow raised as she regarded Sarah with barely disguised disbelief, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Oh really?" she shot back, her tone sharp and mocking. "You? Miss 'by-the-book' afraid to drop her panties even when the mission requires it? Too scared to accept a honeytrap assignment? Ice Queen, Graham's golden girl, playing it safe with your little moral code."
Carina leaned in slightly, her words now delivered with a smirk of her own, daring Sarah to come back with something better. "You really think you have what it takes to steal a man from me when you can't even spread your legs and have a little fun without checking the CIA rulebook first?"
The words landed like a well-placed jab, and for a brief moment, Morgan felt the air between the two women crackle with tension. He wasn't used to this side of Carina—so fiercely protective, so willing to throw verbal punches with such precision. It was as if the playful, devil-may-care persona she usually wore had been replaced by something far more dangerous.
Sarah's smirk faltered ever so slightly, a flicker of something—anger, embarrassment, or maybe even recognition—crossing her face. But she recovered quickly, her icy demeanour slipping back into place. "Believe what you want, Carina," she said coolly, her voice now devoid of the earlier playfulness. "But we both know the game we're playing. And you of all people should know that attachments only make you weaker."
Carina's smirk softened, but her eyes remained sharp, assessing Sarah like a predator studying its prey. "You might be right about attachments," she said, her tone dropping into something more serious, the teasing sarcasm momentarily fading. "But I don't need civilian sentiments to be accommodating. I can be generous in my own way without bringing emotions into play." She leaned in slightly, her voice smooth but laced with something darker. "The difference between you and me, Blondie, is that I'm willing to take risks. Real risks. I don't hide behind protocols and bureaucratic red tape."
Her gaze flicked over Sarah, sizing her up, as if the blonde agent standing before her was nothing more than another obstacle in a long line of disposable enemies. "That's why I always win,"
Sarah's eyes narrowed, but she didn't rise to the bait, her smile icy and controlled. The playful tension that had hovered between them had shifted into something more dangerous, a silent challenge hanging in the air. For a moment, it was like watching two apex predators circling each other, neither willing to back down, both too experienced to make the first move without calculating the consequences.
Morgan, feeling the mounting tension between them, shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't used to being caught in the middle of such intense exchanges, let alone between two of the most dangerous women he'd ever met. The world of spies was clearly a different beast, and he was realizing just how out of his depth he truly was.
Sarah's smile barely wavered, but there was a glint in her eye, a flicker of something that suggested she wasn't backing down—at least, not yet. "You haven't changed, Carina," she said softly, her voice cool and measured. "Still the same reckless girl from the academy, always looking for the next thrill, always thinking you're one step ahead."
She took a slow step closer, her eyes locking onto Carina's. "But let's not pretend you're untouchable. We both know how this game works. And when the time comes, we'll see who's really playing fetch."
There was no need for further threats—the tension between them spoke volumes.
Carina's eyes flashed, but she didn't respond immediately, instead allowing a slow, confident smirk to spread across her face. "Time will tell, Blondie," she said finally, her tone dripping with amusement. "But when you're on your knees begging for mercy, just remember who warned you."
There was a pause, the air thick with tension. Carina tilted her head slightly, her smile growing, and then added, "Now why don't you shoo away and play fetch with whatever piece of intel your big bad boss sent you chasing after? Be a good little pup and do as you're told."
The insult landed like a well-placed punch, and for a moment, Sarah's cool facade wavered. Her lips tightened ever so slightly, and the calculated edge in her eyes sharpened. But she didn't rise to the bait, and didn't give Carina the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, she took a breath, her smirk slowly returning, though there was nothing warm in it.
"We'll see who wins in the end," Sarah replied, her voice soft but carrying an edge that hinted at deeper intentions. Her gaze flicked to Morgan for just a second, enough to remind both of them that this wasn't over.
Then, without another word, she turned on her heel, her heels clicking sharply on the pavement as she walked away, leaving a tension-filled silence in her wake.
Morgan let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding, glancing at Carina, still trying to make sense of the exchange. "You really know how to make friends," he muttered, half-joking, trying to lighten the mood.
Carina chuckled softly, the tension in her posture finally easing as she gave him a playful nudge. "What can I say? I've got a gift." She flashed him a grin, the familiar mischievous sparkle returning to her eyes. "Besides, she needed to be put in her place. Can't have her thinking she can just walk in here and mess with what's mine."
Morgan raised an eyebrow at that, unsure if he wanted to read too much into her words. But before he could respond, Carina winked at him and added, "Don't worry, Pumpkin. I've got your back."
Morgan shot her a skeptical glance. He trusted her—sort of—but this was all so far out of his comfort zone, he wasn't sure what to think anymore. Carina was lethal, no doubt, but the line between protector and something more dangerous felt like it was blurring. Her hold on him was tight, yet her words, the way she spoke to Sarah—there was a game being played here, and Morgan wasn't sure he fully understood the rules.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, his brow furrowed. "I suppose," he muttered, his voice quieter now, more introspective. He glanced at her with a wry smile, though his words carried a hint of unease. "But who's going to save me from you?"
Carina's smirk softened ever so slightly at that, her usual playfulness tempered with something a bit more genuine. For a moment, she studied him, the teasing façade dropping just enough for him to catch a glimpse of the woman behind it all—the one who was just as tangled in this world of espionage as anyone else. She leaned in close, her voice low and almost affectionate. "Oh, Morgan," she whispered, her breath warm against his ear, "you don't need saving from me."
There was a flicker of something in her eyes—something softer, more vulnerable than he'd ever seen in her before. But before he could dwell on it, she pulled away, her smirk back in place, the moment gone as quickly as it had appeared.
"Well," she added, her tone light again, "as long as you stay on my good side."
Morgan couldn't help but chuckle at that, though the weight of everything still lingered in the back of his mind. Carina's world was dangerous, and being this close to her meant being dragged into it whether he liked it or not. But for now, with her arm still around him, it seemed like the safest place he could be—even if that safety came with a side of chaos.
I suppose this is it.
Until next time XD