Chapter Seven

To say today had been awkward would be an understatement. Rachel and I were still not talking. Emily and Joey just sat there whispering to each other the whole time at lunch while Rachel and I glared at each other from across the table. Detention really sucked because I was the only one in there, and Jesse didn't end up showing up. So, yeah, my life was just peachy.

"Riles, can't you just say you're sorry?" Emily whined for the millionth time.

"I have nothing to say sorry about! I mean, c'mon, Emily, you know I didn't exactly choose to be an agent and to grow up at the age of twelve, and I was just looking out for her! Both of you may not understand yet but when you get into trouble because you didn't follow the rules of this agency, two things could happen, depending on what you did wrong. First, you could get brainwashed and then get kicked out of the agency or second, you could get the death penalty. So, which would you like to happen to your friend?" I asked with my arms crossed.

"You're right. I can see you were looking out for her and I would rather her live and not get brainwashed or have the death penalty," Emily said.

"You have to stop her from going on that date, Emily. If you don't, I'll have to report it," I said quietly with my arms now uncrossed.

"Why would you have to report it?" she asked.

"Because I'm the mission leader. Matt may be in charge of all the gadgets and stuff but if someone went rogue or something like that, I would have to report it. If I didn't, I could lose my job," I said.

"Don't worry, Riles. I'll make sure she doesn't go on that date," Emily said nodding determinedly, I nodded and she ran out of my bedroom.

I decided I would take a nice relaxing bath before I went to bed. I stripped out of my clothes as the water started running but not before I grabbed my pajamas, which consisted of a pair of Adidas shorts and a black t-shirt. I locked the bathroom door and slid into the nice warm relaxing water and sighed in relief.

Ten minutes later, I was stepping out of the bath tub due to the fact Joey was pounding on the door. I wrapped the towel tightly around me before peeking my head out the door.

"Yes, Joseph?" I snapped.

"You and I have a mission to go on," he said.

"One minute," I said and shut the door. I quickly dried off and put my pajamas on then stepped out of the bathroom.

"I thought we were good for the night, and Matt is gonna keep watch on the dealers?" I asked with a raised eyebrow while sitting down on my bed with my legs crossed.

"Yeah, he is, but this is an extra mission Cole assigned. Just you and me for tonight," Joey said, sitting down next to me.

"Well, so much for taking a relaxing bath, reading for a while, then going to bed." I know what you're thinking, an agent wants to lay around and read? Well, yup. I love to read on this app called Wattpad when I have time.

"Sorry, Riles, you know if you really don't want to go, I can go by myself," Joey offered.

"Puh-lease. You would get killed in five minutes." I smirked

"Ha. Ha. Very funny, Riley." He sent me a playful glare and I just gave him a cheeky smile.

"When should we leave and what is the mission exactly?" I wasn't used to Cole sending us on side missions during a big mission so there had to be something related to our current case.

"In five minutes, and the mission is gonna be kind of long," Joey said.

"How long? There is no way we can work on both missions at a time like this," I exclaimed.

"I said the same thing but here's the thing, we aren't actually leaving. It's the same mission basically just that we have to protect a kid," he said.

"Oh, so now we're downgrading to a beginner mission and we're gonna be some kid's bodyguard. Wow, I'm really impressed," I said with sarcasm dripping from my voice. These types of missions were assigned to kids who were just beginning, I don't understand why Cole would send us on this. Where the heck is the California agency? This is supposed to be their job.

"Look, Riles, the kid got himself into some trouble with this gang of drug dealers and—"

"Wait. The same drug dealers from our current mission?" I asked.

"Yeah, from what I heard, they're the same dealers. Basically, we just have to go speak to the parents tonight and then watch him at school and talk to him. You are just kind of taking a break from this mission," Joey said and I sighed.

"Okay, fine but how are we gonna help a kid who got himself involved with the wrong crowd?" I asked, kinda confused.

"Geez, another question, Riles. Are you sure you're not a beginner in this business?" Joey asked.

I smirked and stood up, attempting to kick him in his precious jewels, but he moved to the side a little, making me kick him in his thigh and causing him fall to the ground. I quickly grabbed his arms and twisted them behind his back and handcuffed him, causing him to groan. You may wonder why I have handcuffs in my pocket, but before you all get those dirty thoughts in your head, it's because I have to be prepared to leave at any time. In my other pocket, I even have a pocket knife. Pajamas or not, you have to be ready.

"Riley, I'll get you back for this," he squeaked out.

I smirked and sat back on the bed, waiting for him to stop being a baby. This wasn't new for us. We had plenty of times where we would fight each other.

"I was kidding, but please, Riles. You know the more missions you do the higher rank you get. And Cole told us in private that he is going to retire at the ending of the year ceremony and he’s looking out for his best agent that can take over for him. Which means if you do this mission with me it will bring both of us one step closer to being the best for him." Joey bribed, slowly trying to stand up.

I narrowed my eyes at him. He knew I always like to win. In case it wasn't obvious, I'm very competitive.

"Bloody hell. Fine, I’ll be ready in three minutes, now get out!" I said and pushed him out of room and he landed on his butt.

"Riley, you didn't unlock the handcuffs!" Joey yelled.

"Oh, I didn't?" I asked innocently. "Darn. Sorry, Joseph, I don't know where I left the key." I said, sliding off my pajamas.

"They're in your pocket," he yelled.

"Nope, not in there, I checked," I said, smirking as I pulled the key out of my pocket and looking at it. Joey groaned in frustration from the other side of the door.

I quickly walked over to my closet doors and grabbed a pair of black skinny jeans and a black V-neck. I put on a belt that had a gun holster and a knife. I then slid on the rest of my usual gear and then opened the door. Joey was standing up now with his arms crossed and the handcuffs now laying on the white plush carpet. I frowned, that was one of my favorite pairs!

"That was one of my favorite pairs," I said.

"Don't handcuff me next time," he said and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. How'd you get out?" I questioned. Those handcuffs were titanium and one of my strongest pairs.

"I was already dressed for the mission. Meaning I had all my gear on and—"

"I get it,” I said, cutting him off and holding up my hand. "What I don't understand is why Cole didn't ask Rachel and Emily do this mission?"

"Because it has to do with the dealers and they can't handle the dealers alone. Basically, we have to threaten the guys to not bother this kid, Calum," Joey said.

"Or we could just get this kid to back out and maybe we won't have a problem as long as we get back here and take care of the gang fast," I suggested.

Joey thought about it. "Doesn't sound like a bad idea Scott."

"Well, looks like you convinced her, I see," Matt said, coming up the stairs.

"Yup, indeed I did. It didn't take much. I mean, once she saw my handsome face she gasped and agreed right away as long as we go out to get some frozen yogurt," Joey said.

"Aren't you just hilarious?" I said sarcastically. “I personally think this mission is lame but I'll do it."

"That's great. Here's the keys. You're taking my car," Matt said, throwing them to me.

"Wait, how come she gets to drive?" Joey complained, whining like a little kid.

"Because she won't go crazy with the car," Matt replied.

"Why would I go crazy?" Joey asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You'll see. Good luck," Matt said before he walked into his bedroom.

Joey looked at me as if he was expecting the answer but I just shrugged. I grabbed my mini black bag and put it over my shoulder and pressed the red button on the car keys.

"What does the red button do?" Joey asked and I just held up a finger. The bookcase slid over, revealing a door. I walked over and opened it and started heading down the medium-sized staircase that led to the garage.

"I didn't know we had this," Joey said, following behind me.

"This set of keys can drive any one of these cars," I told Joey.

"Holy f—" Joey started to say but I gave him a look.

"When did Matt have all the time to build all of this and get these cars?"

"He didn't have any time—"

"But how—" Joey started to say but I glared at him, making him shut up.

"As I was saying, he didn't have the time to build any of this. This house has been here for years and the first agent to do a mission in LA made this. His name was Nathan Blaze. Nathan liked to have an option for which car he would choose for each mission so he slowly filled this place up with cars. There's at least fifty down here. That tunnel over there leads up to the garage," I said, pointing over toward the right.

“And you know this how?” Joey asked curiously.

I pointed to the sign next to the elevator. “It tells his whole life story right there.” I said smiling innocently causing him to roll his eyes. His eyes widened when he caught sight of another car.

"Can we stay here forever?" Joey begged, suddenly getting on his knees.

"Nope, definitely not. I already miss London like crazy. But I mean, you could always switch over to the agency here in California," I said, before thinking that over. "On second thought, you could try but I wouldn't let you do that because I'd miss you too much."

"You'd miss me?" Joey said, looking at me with a strange expression.

"Yeah, you're like the brother I've never had," I said, ruffling his hair. For a second, I thought I saw him frown but his expression changed so fast I couldn't tell.

"Yeah, and you're like a sister to me, too. Now which car are we taking?" Joey added, quickly changing the subject.

"We have two options. We can take the charger or the motorcycle,” I said holding up the two pairs of keys.

"Charger!" Joey said and ran over to the black one and jumped into the driver seat.

"Move your bum, Joseph! I get to drive, last thing we need is for you to crash and make Matt pay the bill for it.” I said

"I would never crash this baby!" Joey said, petting the steering wheel but moved anyway.

"Where to?" I asked.

"Long Beach, baby!" Joseph said while fist pumping and turning up the music. I just groaned as we started on the way to Long Beach. This was going to be a long ride.