Chasing Charli

by Quinn, Aneta

  I called them to see if they could get any more details on the case or whether there was something they knew that I didn’t. After the break-in at Charli’s apartment and the way she was acting, like she was hiding something, I just had to find out before she did something stupid. I called them the day after she moved into my apartment when she was out for a run and have been waiting for this call ever since, anxiously.

  “Can you talk Jackson? Are you with someone?” he asks enquiringly.

  “No…I’m alone” I answer and start to make my way up to the roof.

  “Okay so we did some digging around and it seems like it wasn’t just anyone average she pissed off, it was Morelli.”

  “Shit” I say. Morelli was pretty known amongst any police department, federal agency, hell even the news teams or just the public. Morelli was like the grim reaper of the country. Never been caught for any crime, never been seen by anyone, only multiplying the deaths around the country for drugs, weapons, trafficking, crimes I’d probably never even heard of.

  You never dropped that name unless you really were doing their biddings or you were exceptionally stupid.

  “These were just petty crooks, even if they did work for Morelli, why would they care if those two went to jail for a murder that has no connection to them at all, no proof right?”

  There was nothing but silence on the phone and it made me more agitated and anxious.

  “What is it Vince?”

  “Apparently, according to the guys she gave her testimony to, she’s got proof. She kept talking about Morelli, kept bringing up the name and the dodgy part is…there must be a rat because they obviously found out. Whatever she has on them, she still has it with her. A lot of evidence has gone missing and clearly they haven’t found what they’re looking for yet.”

  “It must be something big if they’re so desperate to get their hands on it.”

  “You have to find out what it is, bring it down to us. We can keep it safe until the court date. Keep her safe too Jackson.”

  “I’ll…umm… I’ll try okay?”

  This didn’t sound right, he sounds a little too desperate. Knowing there was a rat somewhere, now I knew we honestly couldn’t trust anyone, Charli was right. Shit this was bad, this was really bad. Fucking Morelli; it couldn’t have been a simple court case and a simple testimony for a murder, she had to try and bring down the biggest criminals in the country. Fuck, she was brave.

  I run my fingers through my hair and listen while he gives me instructions on what to do if I find anything. Was I able to trust him? I mean, I have known him for my entire career. He found me when I was straight out of boot camp and told me I could be great, told me I could do great things for people. He trained me extensively with weapons and in combat and even got me my first job as a guard for an important CEO.

  I started out in the lower rankings and worked my way up from celebrities, to CEO’s, to even members of Government.

  Charli started out as a temporary in-between jobs kind of gig and somehow, I just never wanted to leave. A waste of my talent according to some but I don’t feel like she’s a waste, I’m right where I need to be.

  I end the brief call and slide my phone in my pocket then decide I need to snoop around a little. As much as I hate rummaging through her things, I just want to get to the bottom of what she’s hiding, how much trouble she’s actually in and try and help her. She doesn’t need to do all this alone, especially if she’s up against Morelli. I shake my head and sigh as I rake my fingers through my hair yet again, slightly agitated.

  I silently climb down the fire escape stairs and stop at my apartment. I climb in just to make sure she’s still asleep and find her sprawled out across my bed on her stomach. The sheet barely covering her ass and her back is bare since she went to sleep topless. Her tan skin looks so smooth I can’t resist touching her so I faintly trace my finger across her skin and down her back. I see goose bumps rise on her skin and I keep running my fingers down and along the back of her thigh. She stirs slightly but then she’s still again so I let her sleep in peace.

  I grab a sweatshirt and throw it on before I jump out the window again and make my way into her apartment. It’s dark and silent and looks like nothings been touched since we were here a week ago. I’ve been in and out a few times to grab some more things for her and fix the locks but other than that we haven’t really touched anything.

  Okay think Jax, what could she possibly have and where would she keep it. Charli’s a smart girl so I know she wouldn’t keep it in the most obvious place. I take a few steps around her apartment and think back on what was messed around. The DVD’s were scattered and a few opened but none taken, so maybe they were looking for a disc, her drawing books were open too so maybe even photos.

  I take a look around and see her laptop propped up on the kitchen counter half open. I know she hasn’t used that since classes finished; now that she was on holidays I don’t think she’d even done one assignment.

  I shuffle over quietly to the counter and sit on a barstool, pull the laptop open and the screen automatically turns on as if it was in sleep mode. The screen’s open to a few tabs from her photos file and the videos file but there’s nothing there out of the ordinary.

  She isn’t stupid enough to keep shit like that on her laptop. If she did have photos or videos she would have taken it on her phone and then stored it on a flash drive or a memory card before handing it in. Suddenly what Vince said earlier made sense, he mentioned that some evidence went missing but they were still looking for whatever she had. I bet you anything that her old phone went missing and she managed to get the videos or photos off before telling them all what she had, she’s smarter than I gave her credit for.

  So if I’m right, I should be looking for a flash drive of some kind; so obvious now that I think about it.

  I close the laptop and spin around on the barstool, leaning against the counter top. I scratch the back of my neck and look around her apartment again. Something so tiny, she could easily hide anywhere, but if I know her like I think I do, she would want to keep it close by, especially after her apartment got broken into. It’s probably right under my nose, somewhere mundane that even if you did look there you wouldn’t check thoroughly.

  I’m contemplating just asking her but I’m still not too sure, especially after how closed off she got right after we saw her apartment was trashed.

  I sigh and make my way back upstairs, sliding in through the window and shut it as quietly as I can. I strip down to my briefs and then slide back in next to her. I pull her against me and she mumbles softly, not waking though. She’s a pretty heavy sleeper I’ve noticed, but she definitely moves around a lot in her sleep.

  I tuck her in against my side and fall asleep pretty quickly, especially because it’s now way past one in the morning.

  **

  I wake up and instinctively reach out, finding nothing but empty bed. I open my eyes groggily and find myself alone in my room.

  “Charli?”

  No answer.

  I sit up quickly and hop out of bed, grabbing the same sweatpants I threw on last night. I take a quick look in the bathroom, empty as well.

  “Charli?” I say again as I make my way into the living room rubbing my eyes, which I notice is also empty. I sit down on the couch and am momentarily lost. I can’t be mad at her for going out but I guess knowing that we’re dealing with Morelli makes me feel more on edge. Why wouldn't she tell me? I’ve heard the crazy shit they do when they want something, the torture they put people through just to get one scrap of information.

  I push up off the couch and get my phone off my night stand in the bedroom; no messages, so I swipe to unlock it and call her number.

  I hear her phone ringing somewhere back in the living room and groan. The amount of times I’ve told her to keep her phone on her and she still doesn’t listen; I swear she’s the biggest fucking pain in the ass.

  I pace in the living room for what feels like
an eternity, tapping my phone against my chin lightly until finally I hear the door click open and watch her stroll in.

  “What the fuck Charli?”

  “Umm…good morning to you too” she rolls her eyes at me and I’m so mad at her I can’t even explain why. Why do I feel this sudden urgency to wrap my arms around her now that I can see she’s here and okay, a sudden need to kiss her and tell her what? That I love her? Shit Jax, you’ve had sex with her a few times and you already think you’re in love. I’d kick my own ass if I could; I’m definitely not going to say that. I don’t even know what we are, what this between us really is. For the few years I’ve known her she’s driven me crazy, but I guess I slowly did fall for her. Shit, I am so fucked here.

  “Where were you?” I finally ask, trying to sound calmer than I am.

  “Well…if you weren’t pacing like a mad man, and don’t even deny that you weren’t, you would have seen the note I left you in the kitchen” she says and puts her hands on her hips, one holding a brown takeaway bag. I notice now that she’s wearing her running shorts and top, sweat still glistening on her flat stomach and her face still slightly flushed.

  She continues speaking since I don't bother moving to go find the note, too busy checking her out; hey I’m a guy, sue me.

  “I went for a run and stopped off to get us some bagels, not the end of the world Jax. You’re not getting all controlling on me already are you?” she smirks a little, “well more controlling than your usual self” she adds.

  “You think I’m controlling?” I ask softly, Morelli momentarily forgotten.

  “Well…yeah. Your too paranoid, you need to chill out, have a night off every once in a while from your macho, alpha, dominating self” she laughs a little.

  I think of Morelli again and get slightly irritated that she’s taking this so lightly, being so careless knowing they are after her, so when I speak I sound more aggravated than I intended.

  “I kind of have to be when you do stupid shit like this.”

  “What…go for a normal run, like a normal person and try and do something nice like get you bagels for breakfast?”

  “Leave your phone at home when you know there are people like Morelli after you, that’s what’s stupid.”

  “I didn’t have pockets so I couldn’t really be running around with my phone….wait….what did you say?”

  Shit…I mentioned Morelli. I run a hand through my hair and stop pacing, turning my gaze back on her.

  “Can you please just take your phone with you if you go anywhere, please just promise me that?”

  “Jackson….how do you know about Morelli?”

  “I…I asked around okay? Now I know just how much shit you’re actually in, who we’re dealing with.”

  “I told you to leave it Jax. Why can’t you just drop it?”

  “Because I can’t don’t you understand?”

  “No clearly I don’t. I told you to leave it alone for a specific reason and you still went behind my back. I told you that there weren’t many people you could trust but you still went and snooped around and brought attention on yourself. What did you bug me? Bug my phone? Search my apartment too?”

  She must have seen me freeze for a second or maybe I look guiltier than I think because she throws the takeout bag of bagels at me; I manage to avoid being hit though.

  “Fuck you Jax. Enjoy your bagels” she says and turns to head back out the door.

  “Wait!”

  “You even so much as think of following me right now I swear to god Jax! I am so fucking mad at you right now. After this past week, I actually thought I was more than just a job to you…but I guess I was wrong” she says and closes the door behind her; again without her phone.

  I stand frozen in place, staring at the door.

  9. Yes Boss

  Charli

  Okay, maybe I over-reacted just a little but knowing he’d been snooping around my stuff and that he knows about who's after me, kind of leaves me on edge. The whole reason I didn’t tell him the complete truth was because I thought the less he knew the safer he was so I panicked and spat the dummy; God I’m such a bitch. I was just trying to keep him as out of it as I could, and I guess he was trying to get as much info as he could to help me; both of us trying to help the other.

  After the past week I’d finally gotten the part of him I truly wanted, broken down the barrier between us and gone from occasionally flirting and having a crush, to actually realising that I truly cared for him on a much deeper level, maybe even fallen for him harder than I expected over the last few years I’d known him. The way he makes me laugh, makes me feel more like myself than anyone else; shit, I was truly in deep with this guy whether he liked it or not.

  For a moment knowing he was going through my stuff, looking for the memory stick, for the evidence, felt like a small betrayal or like he was throwing how I felt back in my face. It’s like the job was more important to him than me. What would he have done if he found it? Handed it in? And the big question…to who?

  I shake my head and kick my foot into the dirt. I swing gradually back and forth and lean my head against the chain of the swing.

  I know, well...I hope I know him enough to know he wouldn’t hand me in to the bad guys, not intentionally anyway.

  That’s why the less people that know about what I’m hiding the better but he seems to want to know everything. Maybe it’s better if I tell him everything, instead of having him snooping around in the wrong places and raising the attention of unwanted people.

  I look around at the kids playing on the playground and see the sun is quite high in the sky, it’s probably noon or sometime around then.

  I’ve probably been out here on this swing for a good few hours and knowing Jax like I do he’s probably pacing his living room and running both his hands through his hair out of frustration.

  You know what? He can just go right ahead and stay frustrated for a little while longer.

  Plus I don’t really feel like getting yelled at right now, which I know he will do. I know I was stupid for going out without my phone but I was gone for no more than half an hour and I thought I’d be back before he woke up anyway. I left him a fucking note telling him exactly where I was for god’s sake, if he wasn’t too busy freaking out over Morelli than he would have known I was okay and just out for a run.

  I look around the park and look at the different people trying to see if anyone looks suspicious, just out of habit I guess. There’s a lady next to me pushing her kid in a swing; I doubt she was part of any criminal activity.

  A few people jogging down the path and one guy stretching out on the grass, other than that there were just families and couples playing with their kids around me. The guy stretching looks faintly like the guy from the party but before I think too much into it I roll my eyes at my now increased paranoia thanks to Jax.

  Seems pretty harmless to me but then again I have some pretty shady abilities of knowing who to trust.

  I sigh and push off the swing set and start to jog back to the apartment, preparing myself mentally for a good argument with Jax or for some serious apologising on my behalf.

  I run the whole way back, which is a good few blocks and I’m all sweaty by the time I reach the door. I press my ear against it and hear nothing but silence.

  I quietly fumble with the keys, suddenly more nervous than ever and finally open the door, taking a step inside.

  Jax is leaning against the living room wall, arms crossed behind him and leaning on his palms. He looks up at me and looks so unbelievably sad I automatically feel horrible for storming out like a drama queen.

  He pushes off against the wall and suddenly looks angry, hungry, and it frightens me a little in weird ways but for some reason I feel it right between my legs. The look in his eyes is so predatory and as soon as he takes another step closer I step back, pressing myself against the apartment door.

  He runs a hand through his hair and I smile, knowing I was right about his agi
tated habits.

  I finally work up enough courage to speak but all that comes out my mouth is a squeaky apology.

  “Sorry.”

  “Oh you will be sorry Charli.”

  He takes another menacing step closer and then practically jumps at me, crushing his lips to mine. I’m so shocked at first, since I was waiting for a good ass kicking or something but instead he’s ravaging me with his lips like he can’t get enough of me. He’s holding my face between his palms as he nips gently at my bottom lip; I can’t help but groan and open my mouth further for him to start kissing me.

  I try to take control and push against his chest lightly and step forward but our lips remain together. He twists his fingers through my hair before reaching down and practically ripping my tank top off me, throwing it aside.

  This is definitely not what I expected to come home to that’s for sure.

  He slides his hands down my waist and then picks me up by my thighs while taking a step forward, practically slamming me against the wall. Rough, but kinky; I like this side of him.

  “I like control, understand that Charli?” he whispers huskily against my skin as his lips leave a burning trail against my throat.

  I nod but then shake my head. I know I’m a bitch, sue me. I actually like when he gets all alpha-male on me, only in the bedroom actually, otherwise he’s a pain.

  I unwrap my legs from around him and he props me back on my feet, taking a look down at me.

  “I don’t like you bossing me around all the time, you understand that Jax?” I say and nudge his chest with my finger.

  He leans down and bites my finger gently before smiling down at me.

  “Ow! I’m serious Jax.”

  “I know and I’m sorry okay? I just…freaked out. All I wanted to do was know what I was up against. You wouldn’t tell me everything and I just…wanted to keep you safe. Not because it’s my job but…I” he hesitates.

  "You what Jax?"

  “I love you. Okay? I love you so fucking much it’s driving me insane!”