We sat in V's penthouse. The truth serum had worn off. We were under a blanket on V's duvet and sitting before her indoor firepit. Soothing jazz ebbed through the apartment.
"You can keep the cabin if you don't mind the long drives. That's whether or not you accept my offer," She explained as she handed us each a mug of hot cocoa. She sat in the chair beside the duvet and crossed her legs, "I'll explain what we do; obviously we're a secret organization. We handle threats to public safety that can't be taken care of by any official organization. Say, for instance, someone is trafficking weapons. They've found some loophole to avoid legal issues. We're notified and we take them out."
"We don't want to do the government's dirty work," Said Ray.
"That's off the table," V said with a genuine smile, "You would be smart to think that we have no leverage to deny jobs that we deem immoral but our state isn't the only one we've allied with. We have connections all over the globe. If we're blackmailed or one of us is killed a contact is notified, they notify one of our allies, and the survivors are flown out. Meanwhile a rescue mission commences."
"What kind of jobs do you refuse?" I asked.
"Obviously, back to the arms dealer example, we aren't hired if there's hard evidence to arrest someone, so we do our own investigating. If the arms dealer is found to have had a criminal past with no current red flags, if they simply look suspicious, or if they're desired to be taken care of for the personal benefit of the client, then we refuse."
"Can't what you gather from investigating be used as evidence?" Ray asked.
"Very rarely. Even in those cases the target can have officials in their pocket, and sometimes a target could even benefit from prison."
"And you can't use the truth serum on them?"
"It doesn't work on everyone, it's highly illegal, absurdly expensive, and for some it can be lethal," She said, making our eyes bug out, "We tested your blood. We knew it wouldn't kill you."
"Why is there a file on me?"
V's brows lowered and her eyes narrowed, "There's a file on you?"
"In Vince's office."
She sat back, "Hmm... some of us do research on people that come into our lives."
"You don't?" Ray asked.
"I don't have a social life."
"Oh."
"Moving on; I don't expect an answer from either of you now," She took two of her business cards from the table and handed them to Ray, "Call me when you have your answer. When you finish your drinks I'll drive you home. I should say, though, that I know Vince cares about you two. He's a good friend of mine. If you ever need anything you can call me."
"Thank you."
"Of course," She said before walking onto her balcony, her hips swaying.
When the glass door closed Ray turned to me and said, "I never thought this would happen."
"Me neither," I looked at V. She'd returned to her easel and resumed a painting of the skyline, "She's so..."
"Enigmatic."
"Yeah."
When we finished our drinks V took us to Ray's house. We had dinner with her parents before going into her room to talk. We laid down on her bed. The day had left us both exhausted and it was nice to lay down in her dark, cool room.
"Are you taking the cabin?" Ray asked.
"Yeah. I have to live in a place owned by their corporation either way."
"Me, too. I'll ask mom and dad to help us move."
"Thanks."
The air was thick with what else we had to address. The room felt tight. I could just barely make out Ray's outline in the darkness but I knew she was watching me with the same thoughts in her head.
"I know you're taking her offer," I said without judgement.
"You're not?"
I'd been in danger my whole life. I just wanted safety. I couldn't force Ray to be selfish but I could let myself choose peace regardless of how intriguing the offer was, regardless of how helpless I'd felt living with killers, how much I hated innocent people being hurt. Besides, I couldn't watch her get hurt. In the back of my mind, no matter how much I wished I could push it further away, was the dread of seeing Vince hurt again as well. I remembered the way my heart stilled when dark blood stained his white dress shirt and I shuddered.
"I know it's cowardly."
"It's not," She squeezed my shoulder, "It's a tough choice. Just be sure."
"I know you think I want to."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to. I can feel it."
With a sigh Ray switched on the lamp and turned on her side to face me, her arm tucked under her head, "I know you're skilled. You can excel in this."
"How do you know she isn't lying? She gave us her pitch. She didn't say what the dangers were and there's no way of even knowing if she's telling the truth."
"She has to tell the truth. Imagine if a trained spy finds out they've been used by their own people. Plus, they could have killed us and made lit look like we went missing, or even just fled the state."
"You're right."
"Whatever you do I support you. Just make sure that you're not making a choice out of fear."
She turned off the light and we went to sleep. I awoke to Ray shaking my leg. I sat up and rubbed my eyes before glowering at her.
"Help me pack. We'll bring my stuff over, then get yours."
Her parents dropped us back home to get our vehicles. When I got out of the truck I thanked them and said 'goodbye.' Once they drove away the front door opened and I stilled. Vince motioned for me to come inside. I followed him to the couch.
"I didn't want to cause you any stress for fear," He said.
"I know. I understand why you kept it a secret. I won't tell anyone and neither will Ray."
"I know. Viper told me," He took in a deep breath, running his hand through his hair, his curls bouncing as they were released, "I was there the night of the attack. I took care of you. I thought you'd rather I tend to you than someone else."
My stomach flipped. I felt my face get hot. He must of known the affect he had on me; my poker face with him was nonexistent.
"Thank you."
"The cabin belongs to me but I'll sign it over to you."
"You don't have to do that."
His smile was bittersweet. One of acceptance, "I know why you're leaving; you don't feel safe here. I'll always look out for you, even if that means I have to humble myself."
"It's not you. I like the cabin and I want to live with Ray."
"I'm glad. Are we okay?"
"Yeah. And I'm sorry."
"In a way I'm glad you know."
The door opened and shut, making me jump and turn to see my mother standing on the front mat with her arms crossed.
"I find out you're moving by checking the door camera?"
"Mom-"
She silenced me with a glower, "We need to talk."
I forced myself not to look at Vince as I followed my mom onto the back porch. With her arms crossed she turned to me.
"I told you I won't be paying your way."
"I have a job."
"A part-time job. How are you paying for rent?"
"It's my place," Vince interjected with no audible warning of his presence, "My cabin."
"I don't want her mooching off my husband."
"She isn't. Her and Ray are doing work in the apartments. In exchange I gave them the cabin. I figured it'd be good for you two to have some space."
"You should have came to me."
"You're right. I'm sorry."
With a sigh she turned back to me, "I'm sorry, baby."
"It's fine."
"We'll have you over," She said as she fixed my hair.
"Thank you."
She pulled me in for a hug. I gave her a tight squeeze before I left. When I was behind the wheel I slid my phone into it's doc. I reversed onto the street and took off for the cabin. My phone read my incoming text aloud.
"Vince: Call me when you're home."
"Respond: Will do. Send."
I sped through the streets, my foot twitching against the gas. The sunset glowed over the line of the city. I found my mind wandering to Vince. His first instinct today was to defend me. The day of the attack he protected me without a second thought. He'd be terrified knowing I was a spy. At the same time I couldn't deny how enticed I felt.
I imagined the rest of my life after denying the offer and I felt a pit in my stomach. The night we broke into HQ was the biggest rush I'd ever felt. I remembered the anger I felt knowing I was among criminals. The anger I still felt. I debated pulling the trigger. It felt right. It didn't have that dreadful void.
I pressed the button on my phone and said, "Call Viper."