Forty- four - You can go to hell too

Chloe sniffled quietly.

It no longer smelt like dirty oil.

Actually, it smelt like... Nathaniel.

Chloe who was still inbetween realms frowned. She tried to recall how she got home. She remembered clearly giving Markings her response.

She had no choice, she had to agree to help him even though she hated it. It was the only way to ensure she wouldn't get exposed in the worst way.

But then, it was all already way too complicated. She wasn't going to help Markings yet she could not tell the guys what Markings wanted. If she exposes Markings, Markings definitely wouldn't hesitate to announce her identity and mission.

Finally, she reached absolute consciousness and immediately, she felt huge hands rubbing through her legs with intended caution. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open and with a single look, she knew why it smelt like Nathaniel around her.

She was in his room.

On his bed.

A quick jump of her body was cut short by Nathaniel who quickly moved and had her pinned down with his hold on her waist.

"You are finally awake." There was no change in reaction from Chloe who was still trying to process the situation and their position. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly, his blue eyes wearing a look she never saw before.

"Uh..." she tried to find that reaction within her coarse voice. As she did, her eyes noticed how close his face was, her body realized he was so close to grinding his body against hers.

Nathaniel seemed to notice that too and he got up. After, he helped her seat up, his warmth swallowing her even more.

Chloe almost sighed. She realized how much she missed even just his heat. Truthfully, a feeling within her was the major reason she agreed to Markings deal. That feeling had a lot to do with Nathaniel.

With sober eyes, she looked up from her hands which were playing and saw that he was approaching with a bowl.

"You need to eat up Chloe," he said as he found a seat beside her. Grabbing a tray from behind him, he placed it on her lap and the bowl followed. "It is cabbage porridge," he answered as she asked with a glance what she was about to eat.

"Thank you." Her voice was still not itself.

Soon, she dug in. A spoon revealed how good the meal tasted. Within the next second, a huge portion of the meal had gone down her stomach. And she did not stop for once, she was that hungry.

"Chloe?" Nathaniel called.

"Hmm?" She focused on her eating the more.

"Look at me," he said, but he helped her instead, his hold beneath her chin. "Stop rushing your food or you'll get indigestion."

"I am so hungry," she replied with puppy eyes.

"I know. Just don't rush the meal. Okay?" He sounded so... caring. That had her a bit enthralled. Then, she went even deeper into his spell as his thumb cleaned off a small mess on the side of her mouth.

Soon, his hold left her. As he wiped his hand off with tissue, he nudged towards her food. "Keep eating."

Chloe did as he said. As she dug in, this time slower, Nathaniel's hand wrapped around her wrist. And he left it there. "Uh... Nathaniel?"

"I don't want you to see those marks."

"But I will see them anyway. Infact..." She lifted her left hand and he hurried to hold that too.

"It is my fault you were taken." Chloe looked down. "That is what happened right? You were taken." She nodded slowly, a sigh following. "I am not going to ask questions now, but I will make the person that did this to you pay."

She weasled her hands out of his hold. "Can I go to my room?"

"Why?"

"I need do something. I will be back," she added. Setting aside the tray, she got off the bed but as she stood up, her legs failed her. Luckily, Nathaniel caught her.

"Can't it wait?" he whispered to the woman on his laps. "You still need to rest."

She shook her head. "Just give me some minutes."

Without any argument, he let her go.

After a little stretch, Chloe was able to walk a bit better. But there were still pains which she did not show because she knew that would make Nathaniel pull her back onto the bed.

What she was about to do wasn't a thing to be postponed.

Without hindrances, she was soon in her room. Without delay, she grabbed her devices and made for the bathroom. This time, she made sure to double lock it. And this time, it was the shower she turned on.

With a single prayer within her being, she dialed the Agency.

"Agent Pepper?" She heaved a huge breath of relief. It was Agent Connor.

"Sir..."

"What happened the other day? Was Gabriel suspicious?"

"No. He bought my lie. That's not what I called you for. There is something you should know about-"

"Pepper!" Markings voice came in and she shuddered as though he caught her in person. "Have you found anything yet?"

As she wondered what the evidence he wanted her to plant was, she replied, "No sir. I was about to tell Agent Connor that I was taken captive."

"By who?" Connor asked.

"I have no idea sir. The brothers are looking into it." Chloe swore within her as she could see the smug look on Markings face in her head.

"Be careful Chloe."

"I will be," she replied Agent Connor.

"I have to go. Stay vigilant." And like that, her hope of survival was cut off.

"What a smart move Chloe. Very smart indeed."

"Agent Markings..."

"You had better be careful Agent Pepper," he whispered threateningly. "Any wrong move and the files I have compiled on who you truly are would enter the NAG brothers mails. I think Nathaniel should be the first to see it, don't you think?"

Chloe was resisting the strong urge to scream. With a straining calm in her voice, she asked, "How are you going to give me this evidence you speak of?"

He ticked his tongue. "If you are a good girl, you will know that soon."

"Is that all Agent Markings?" She knew he was able to talk so freely because the conversation wasn't being recorded. So, she saw no use dragging anything with him.

"Yes. Have a nice day Agent Pepper."

"Yeah, you can go to hell too." His laughter followed and with quick anger, she flung the headphone away.

With a battling mind, she took a look at her hands, then her legs. A quick sniff of her body and she was suddenly reminded of Markings and she hated that.

Seething, she took off the gown she had on as she reasoned it would be better to have her bath there than in Nathaniel's place.