Chapter 49

Chapter 49 Title: Out of Mission

[Iris's POV]

I mumbled a curse and lifted the covers over my head as the morning light slipped into my room through the curtains. My head was pounding and I felt like I was going to be sick. After a few more minutes of trying to calm my stomach, I whipped the covers off and sat up in my bed. Squinting against the morning light, I looked around for Tomato. My eyes flew open as I realized that I wasn’t in my apartment. The furniture was wrong and the lounge area had a freaking mini bar! Visions of the previous night crashed through my mind and I let out a groan as I rubbed my throbbing head.

I swung my legs over the bed and attempted to get up. Well, that was a stupid thing to do. I was so sore that I immediately flopped back down onto the bed. I closed my eyes and I saw the replay of everything that had happened last night between me and Xavier Gray. He was hovering over me, running his hands fervently all over my form and then he… I covered my mouth to stifle a yelp. I had broken the rules.

“Oh, Christ! What have I done?” I whispered.

Maybe it was just a dream? Maybe it really hadn’t happened? But, when I looked down to where I was sore, I realized that I wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing. And as I inhaled a sharp breath at that realization, I smelled his scent whirling around me. I squeezed my eyes shut, gripped the sheet and jerked it up to cover my nakedness. Tears stung my dry eyes and I swallowed hard as the full impact of what I had done fell on my head like a load of bricks. I had always made it a point to emotionally distance myself from people during my missions. This time though—the guilt consumed me. I should have stopped him. No, I should have just left. Oh, bloody hell! I should have done anything and everything to prevent what had happened last night. But, I had wanted him—still wanted him so desperately. If I could, I would spend the rest of my life…

I flung the covers off and jumped out of the bed. I couldn’t afford to think like that. It was bad enough that I had feelings towards him. I took a moment to look around for my dress. Thankfully, Xavier wasn’t here so at least I wouldn’t have to deal with him right now. I saw my dress over by the sofa. As I picked it up, it fell into two parts.

“Seriously, did he have to rip it?” I asked with half exasperation and half amusement.

I remembered how his beautiful blue eyes were full of desire for me and I felt my heart drop into my stomach. Pushing the thought away, I went over to his clothes that were lying next to the bed in a heap. Picking up his shirt and coat, I hastily threw them on and left the room. I wanted to be gone before he got back. Gingerly opening the door, I poked my head out of the room and look both ways down the corridor. No one seemed to be around and I made my way outside. While I was relieved that I didn’t have to questions or explain myself, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Was he going to come back? Had he left right after sleeping with me? Was he using me? Not that I was in any position to feel like that. He had every right to just leave me here after what I had done. But, still…

I shook my head and strode towards the door. As the crisp morning air hit my face, I vaguely remember the president telling me something last night. It seemed like it was important but I just couldn’t remember. Pressing my fingers against my temples, I tried to remember. I sighed when a sharp pain shot through my head. That was all I received from my efforts of trying to replay his words in my head. I shrugged and hurried away to find a taxi.

***

Finally, after two hours, I was in my own apartment. Stressed Tomato came to the door when I came in and didn’t say a word. After I had taken a hot shower and donned on my favorite pajamas, I sat on my bed while staring blankly at the wall. Just once, I wanted to act like I felt. I had made a serious and irreparable mistake. The mere knowledge that I would never be able to fix it or make amends near about drove me insane.

I glanced over at my dresser where the blue diamond ring rested in its leather box. Silent-hot tears rolled down my cheeks. That ring reminded me of who and what I was before I came to this city. It felt like someone had twisted a dagger in my heart. I never wanted this complicated life for myself. All I really wanted was a career that I could be proud of and a loving person to hold my hand. Was that too much to ask?

I sighed and wrapped my fuzzy pink blanket around me like a barrier that could protect me from the outside world. When I started this job, I never thought that I would develop any feelings for Xavier Gray. Now, I had realized that I hadn’t just given him my body last night—I had given him my heart. If I had to keep seeing him and spending time with him, it would make everything ten times worse. I loved him. I loved him and I knew without a doubt that I wouldn’t be able to act indifferent or pretend that nothing happened. I choked down a sob as I reached for the phone that I had taped under my nightstand. It was a burner phone that I used when I needed to contact a member of the organization in case of emergencies.

My first thought was to call Artemis, cry my eyes out and confess to how I literally screwed everything up. I looked down at the phone with a wry smile. Wouldn’t my “fiancée” just love that? I could just see the vein popping out on his forehead as he was informed about how I fucked his sworn enemy last night. A strangled laugh erupted from my lips as tears poured down my face. After a few moments, I straightened and sniffed back the onslaught of tears. Taking the phone, I decided to just text Artemis instead. Biting my lower lip, I typed out and sent the message.

Artemis, inform Wolf that I am out of the mission.

[Xavier’s POV]

She left?! What the actual fuck? When I returned from my meeting with Todd, I saw that the room door was slightly left ajar. Upon entering the room, I saw that her dress was still lying crumpled on the floor but Iris was nowhere to be seen. She was the first to break down my barriers, the one who made me feel desire, the one who made me feel love and she wasn’t fucking here! I stood there frozen in the middle of the room as my mind whirled in confusion. Usually, I knew that in most of these situations, it was the woman who was left feeling used and abused. But, at this moment, it was I who had taken on that role. I took out my phone and dialed her number. No answer.

Inhaling deeply, I shoved my phone back into my pocket and tried to think of what could have possessed the woman to leave. I was only gone for twenty minutes at most. Why didn’t she wait for me? In a rush, my mind went back to the meeting with Mr. Todd. Those images of the project plans were undeniably taken with a cell phone and all of the evidence was pointing toward Iris. I mentally shook myself. I didn’t have any proof to accuse her, yet. Turning on my heel, I left the room and slammed the door shut.

Daniel was waiting for me in the hallway and his brows rose in question.

“She’s not here,” I ground out through gritted teeth. “And her phone is switched off. Damn it!” I yelled as I slammed my fist against the wall.

Daniel jumped at my sudden outburst and then he narrowed his eyes at me.

“Why are you so upset, anyway? Was it because Mr. Todd suspects Iris?”

I glared at him. “Bullshit! I-I am just worried about her safety. You saw how drunk she was last night.”

Daniel raked a hand through his thick hair and exhaled a long breath.

“Xavier, what do you think about Mr. Todd’s suspicions? I wouldn’t think that Iris would want to harm you. That girl has always been by your side whenever you were in trouble. But at the same time, no one is exactly trustworthy when it comes to politics.”

Of course, Daniel had a point. Iris hadn’t shown any suspicious behavior and I trusted her. I trusted her so much that I had made her mine just last night. Was it possible that I was wrong about her? I was never wrong about people. Iris was a stubborn, feisty, caring and loyal person. Betrayal wasn’t a part of her character. But, I had to test it. I had to get to the bottom of this investigation, no matter the outcome. Whatever the result, I knew that neither of us would come out of this unscathed.

Daniel crossed his arms and then asked, “What will you do?”

I swallowed hard and replied, “I have a plan.”

With pain lacing his tone, Daniel asked, “And if she turns out to be the mole, Xavier?”

My breath caught in my throat at the horrible thought. Straightening, I felt a familiar coldness steal over my heart as I said, “Bury her alive for betraying Xavier Gray!”