Elena's POV
ONE WEEK LATER.
The past one week has been nothing but chaotic and tiring as fuck. When we all walked out of that apartment, Hunter made sure I would never see Rio again and that he would never, as much as breathe near me, until the time was right.
The past week has been filled with more training, more men, more weapons. We've been locked in. No distractions.
Today is the day. We finally get to get our hands on that safe in the private island in Italy. I don't know how to feel about it, honestly. Scared? Relieved? Accomplished?
I've tried my best to try and forget him… Rio, but it seems impossible. Every night, when I'm alone, all I think about is him.
His eyes, his hands on my skin, his lips against mine, how good it felt being in his arms.
With no shame whatsoever, I do find myself touching myself to the thought of him, whimpering his name like a forbidden prayer every night.
I'm disgusted by myself, honestly. I mean… what would my mother think? What would my father think? His daughter being in love with the man that pulled the trigger on him.
I've managed to convince Hunter that I don't want anything to do with Rio at all. Even though it's one huge lie, because deep down, I want to wake up to find this whole thing being a bad dream and still laying in his arms.
A knock on my door snaps me out of my thoughts.
"Come in," I say loud enough, strapping my boots and tying my hair up in a ponytail.
In walks Maddox, looking like he snaps necks for a living, twirling his knife and smirking at me. I almost gag at the sight… he has been taking every chance he gets to flirt with me.
"Hi…" I say, forcing a smile.
"Hey… you look hot. Leather does look amazing on you," he says, giving me a once-over.
"Uhm, thank you," I say, grabbing my phone.
"Need something?" I ask, walking past him to my door as we head out together.
"Nah… your brother sent me to get you," he says, tucking his knife and walking so close to me it's uncomfortable.
I nod, moving away from him a little. The rest of the time we walk down the hallway and down the stairs in silence. It's so weird — I mean, Maddox started being all over me out of the blue. When I first got here, we barely even talked, but since that day at my apartment, he became very flirty.
We step into the kitchen to find everyone there. Coffee mugs steaming and the smell of waffles and pancakes fill the air.
"Morning," I smile warmly. Everyone answers back in a chorus-like manner. Hunter walks over to hug me as usual. I hug him back and slide onto the kitchen stool.
"You ok, girl?" Ellie suddenly asks, and everyone snaps their eyes at me.
I shift uncomfortably. I'm not okay. Not been. I've been feeling under the weather; I thought it would come and go, but it's not.
"I… uhm… I think I have a flu or something," I say, swinging my legs nervously.
Hunter walks over to me and places his hand on my forehead.
"Mild fever… I'll get you some antibiotics. If it gets worse, we go see a doctor, yea?" he asks, hand on my cheek, worry and concern in his tone.
I hate the hospital… but I nod anyway.
We have breakfast together, chatting and going over the plan. The private jet is already at the airport. We leave immediately for Italy after breakfast.
Hunter slides his hand over mine, grabbing my attention.
"It's almost over, siz… we're gonna get everything they took from us…" he says, squeezing my hand. I nod, smiling at him.
"Yea… finally… mom and dad would be so proud," I whisper, loud enough with a faint squeeze of his hand.
"We leave in thirty… grab everything you need… excuse me," Hunter announces, grabbing his phone and walking out to the backyard.
I finish up my breakfast, everyone busy with final preparations.
I get up, realizing I don't have my jacket and charger with me — probably left it upstairs.
I walk up the steps and into the empty hallway. I spot Zoe rounding the corner with her phone pressed to her ear, whispering.
My heart skips for a second. I shake it off and walk into my room.
"Where is it?" I murmur, looking through my cabinets for my charger, my jacket over my shoulders.
I check the time — less than ten minutes left. I suddenly remember Zoe asked for my charger a while ago, but I don't remember if she brought it back. Doesn't hurt to ask, though.
I step out and walk in the direction I saw her go. I round the corner. The door to the art room is slightly ajar. I walk toward it and slow down my steps.
I hear her murmuring something, but I can't hear her clearly. I step in anyway. She jumps, scared, dropping her phone… eyes blown wide.
"Uhhh, sorry…" I apologize for startling her.
"Oh… uhm… no… don't be… Sorry…" she starts sweating, grabbing her phone off the floor.
Weird.
"You ok, Zoe?" I ask, stepping closer to her. She steps back, tucking her hair.
"Yea… I just… didn't expect anyone to be here," she says, playing with her hair.
"Owwwwk… you have my charger?" I ask.
"What?… oh… yea, right… your charger… it's downstairs on the TV stand," she says nervously.
"Owk… thanks…" I whisper, feeling weird for some reason — I can't shake it.
I walk out and, sure enough, find my charger on the TV stand. But I can't shake the feeling of who Zoe was talking to on the phone and why she got so spooked when she saw me.
I sit back on the couch, texting Sam. Turns out Rio had her hostage, but he let her go. She's been bugging me on what's going on, considering she has zero clue. I text her a long message, telling her I'll tell her everything once everything is over.
I look up, spotting Zoe coming downstairs. We lock eyes; she looks away fast and walks out.
Something is terribly off with that girl.
The drive to the airport is quiet. I ride with Hunter; he's busy on his laptop.
Zoe with Maddox in another car. Theo, Zack, and Ellie in the same van.
I bite my knuckle, staring outside, wondering if I should tell Hunter about the whole Zoe thing.
"You good?" Hunter asks, as if sensing my uneasiness.
"Uhm… yea… great…" I lie.
He sighs, shutting his laptop and turning to face me.
"Talk to me… what is it?" he asks.
I turn, meeting his eyes.
"I… it's stupid…" I say, playing with my fingers on my lap.
"Spill, El…" he says, grabbing my hand.
"Ok… fine… I went upstairs to get my charger… and I… I found Zoe in the art room whispering on her phone. When I stepped in, she looked spooked, nervous…" I say, looking up at him now.
Hunter holds my stare.
"She was acting weird as fuck…" I add.
He nods, leaning back in his seat.
"She's been coming home late… making phone calls in the bathroom late at night… I asked her and she said it's nothing… something is definitely up with her…" Hunter says.
"I hope it's not what I think it is…" he whispers, shutting his eyes and swallowing.
"You think she's cheating on you?" I ask.
"No… worse…" he whispers, turning slightly to face me.
"A traitor," he says.