AMELIA

When you tell a guy that a hit man is out to kill him, you expect a reaction. Maybe an eyebrow raise, if not a full-on panic attack. But that was not James Decker. Instead of doing the rational and normal thing and reacting, he took one glance toward the door the hit men had left through before giving me his full attention. "What's the plan?"

My smile was far too wide to be considered anything but utterly unhinged. He had never openly agreed to do anything before and although it was at the threat of death, I viewed this as a huge step for him. So instead of trying to act calm and put together, I shoved the duffle into James' hands. "Hand me the supplies when I ask for them."

I felt his eyes on me as I set up a steel frame, my fingers moving quickly to attach it to what I had already added to the window the night before. He had every item in my hand before I had finished forming the request, anticipating every need. We worked in silence, a team falling into a routine that felt comfortable and normal, like we had been doing this for years and not for the very first time. 

I had known we would make a good team, but assuming it based on guesses and wishes was far different than having proof. It felt like finding home. There were very few people I worked well with, and it normally took months of practice. But with James... it felt... right. 

After adding the double pulleys and rope connections, I put everything into place, watching James' face go from curious to completely unreadable— something I was starting to learn meant disapproval or utter horror at my ridiculous ideas.

"You can't be serious."

I pulled on the harness, looking back at him with a smile when I was done. "Would you rather try your luck walking through the party?" 

His features somehow managed to turn even colder. "No."

"Then help me tighten this harness so we can get out of here."

His fingers worked the straps along my waist, eyes focused on the task as he tugged the straps tighter, making sure I was strapped into the harness properly. Then he moved onto the ones at my shoulders and chest, fingers careful not to brush against my bodysuit, every motion calculated and calm. 

He acted like the fact that he stood so close was nothing, just an escape route he needed. There was no change in his breathing. Nothing. I could throw him off, yes, but when it came to me as a person, I was a job, a problem. Not someone to fall for.

Great... 

His eyes traveled up to mine. "Done."

I swallowed and yanked my eyes away, climbing up into the window frame, turning back to look at him after strapping myself into the zip-line harness. "I only have one of these, so..."

I saw him analyze. Assuming that I was about to leave him behind. And a part of me wanted to. Life was so much easier when it was lived alone, fought alone and planned with only one person's needs in mind. 

"Don't you dare," he warned. 

I gestured to all of me. "Better hold on tight then."

James actually had the gall to look back toward the door, like that was the lesser of two evils. 

"Wow... I'll try not to be insulted that you'd rather take your chances with the hit men than with me."

"You've met you, correct?" 

I threw my head back and laughed. "You have five seconds before I leave you here to fend for yourself, James."

He walked up to the window, climbed up next to me, and a moment later I had a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, tugging me against him. 

"Ready?" I whispered, turning my head slightly, his face close to mine, body pressed against my back. Before he could reply, I pushed through the window and we were lost in the darkness. 

...

DECKER

She smelled good. A honeysuckle and vanilla combo that left Decker's head reeling, her hair flying wildly around her face, the strands brushing against his face in a caress that sent fire down his body. The entire trip down the zip-line lasted less then five seconds, but being that close to her was a torture Decker could hardly endure. 

He was just starting to consider letting go and taking his chances with dropping to the ground when they landed with a thud on the gravel path leading up to the mansion. They slid for a foot and then Amelia was disconnecting herself from the zip-line, harness dropping to the ground and dashing for a nearby motorcycle. 

A set of shouts came from the mansion, several heads sticking out of the window they had just come from. "Do you know how to drive one of these?" Amelia asked, gesturing to the motorcycle. 

"Yes... why?"

"Because I don't and you're my getaway driver." 

"And what would you do if I wasn't coming?" Decker asked, exasperated. Had Amelia been fully confident that Decker would come along? Or was there a backup plan if he had chosen a different path. 

He wasn't sure how far ahead Amelia worked, and how many backup plans she had tucked away. She had never needed a backup plan around him. 

Amelia shot him a smile. "I knew you would James Decker."

A gunshot cracked through the air, the gravel near their feet sparking a moment later, gravel flying in every direction. 

Without a word Amelia threw Decker the keys, they jumped onto the bike, Amelia wrapping her arms around Decker as he kicked the bike to life and bolted down the path, the sounds of shouts echoing out behind them. 

"Where to?" Decker shouted about the motor as two more bike engines kicked to life behind them. 

He felt Amelia place an earpiece in his ear. "Directions cued up!" she shouted back. 

A male voice filled his ear. "So, you must be the infamous detective. I'll be saving your butt today." 

Decker didn't know who the man was, or how the man knew where they were, but after several directed turns, he pieced it together. "You're her hacker!" Decker shouted to be heard over the motor. 

"Nice to meet you too!" was the reply. "Left at the fork in the road. And I'd move faster. You have two hit men on bikes behind you." 

Decker pushed the bike faster, sliding to the left, Amelia's hands gripping tighter in response. "You okay back there?"

"Slide to the right side of the road, I need a club to take care of these guys."

He felt Amelia shift behind him, one arm letting go as she tilted toward the ground and snatching up a large branch. The sound of bikes grew louder, until they were boxing him in on either side. They were trapped. 

...

AMELIA

I hated my ex boyfriend. And watching him ride up on his bike, a cruel smirk on his face, fingers inches from the daggers at his belt, was the thing of nightmares. "You take the guy," Marco shouted to the bike on the left, before his eyes returned to me, his gaze possessive. "She's mine."

James's hand left the bike for a moment, patting my hand still gripping his waist in warning. I gripped his body with my arm, thighs pressing tightly into him to prepare. Then James swerved left, knocking into the second biker, sending him spinning out of control. 

Marco shouted, driving his bike far too close. Before James could move, Marco swiping for James with his knife, hitting James' arm, causing James to jerk the bike. I slid back slightly, nearly falling off the back of the bike. 

Marco swiped again, but this time, I was ready, branch slamming down on his arm with such force that the branch shattered, the knife flying out of his hand. Marco swore, his hand going limp at his side, his eyes wide as he scrambled to direct the bike with one arm. 

James' arm was slick with blood and the sight of it made me angry and brave in a reckless fashion. And before I could think twice, I leaned nearly completely off the bike, holding onto the back of James' tux coat in a fist to keep me steady, and punched Marco square in the face as his bike swerved wildly back in our direction, nearly out of control. 

My fist sent his head snapping backward and after a final moment of attempting to balance the bike, he crashed, sliding into a roll, kicking dirt up until I couldn't see anything but debris, his body and a pile of dust. 

Before I could guess if he was still alive, analyzing the scene behind me, James yanked me back, and I barely managed to put my arms around him again as he took a turn at full speed, leaving the mansion out of sight behind us. 

---

Thank you for reading chapter fifteen! I hope you are enjoying the story! Or are at least curious to see where it goes! Add this story to your reading list to know when the next chapter drops!

UPDATE DAYS - A NEW CHAPTER EVERY FRIDAY!

Did Amelia's ex-boyfriend survive?

Where will Decker and Amelia go next?

Will Decker and Amelia's truce last for long? 

What will happen next?

CHAPTER QUESTION - If you had to get away from somewhere fast, what would you take? A car, a plane, a bike or something else? Would you want to drive or have someone else drive you?