I wanna dedicate this chapter to one of my lovely readers who is always one of the first to read and like the new chapters 💕 Thank you @SelinaAbiri for your constant support! You're so sweet 😘 Love you!

"They've entered." Hadi's words break the silence like the nerve-wracking start of a countdown, freezing everyone around.

It isn't like they haven't been paralyzed with nerves before. Yet it annihilates the semblance of calm atmosphere everyone has tried to keep, and although it doesn't make much difference, Nate notices the stop of the crunchy noises from Andy's nervous snacking of crackers – who is surely the only one here who's found space for food between the knots in his stomach – how Sacha stops wringing his hands to touch briefly a thin bracelet on his wrist, and mostly, he feels Anastasia's caresses halting on his hand.

"So we can go?" Her soft voice settles out loud what has been hovering in everyone's minds, and even if she sounds determined, her whole body nestled in Nate's arms is tensing more and more, her hand gripping his when Andy replies,

"Yeah, the guards have just finished their second patrol, so it's the perfect time to enter."

The perfect and surely only time to enter. Andy might not say it, but they're all very aware of it, as the other part of the team will create a diversion at the Armed Forces' headquarters, and everything will accelerate quickly.

Besides, it's better to go as soon as possible because the anticipation is always the worst in missions like this, waiting leaving too much space and time for fears and doubts to creep up their shaky nerves.

They have everything ready, checked and tested too many times already. Now, it only remains to put it into action as they nod and get up the best they can in the confined space; no other words needed.

None of them would know what to add, anyway. None of them except Andy apparently.

"Let's do our rebel yell!" he announces, making all the focused frowns around snap up into lifted eyebrows as he puts his hand in front of him. "For freedom."

What is even more surprising though, is that everyone follows instantly, and in spite of all their protests when Andy has suggested it during their last planning meeting, each part is pronounced with conviction.

First, Hadi and his deep voice. "For justice."

Then his hand is covered by Sacha's. "For life."

"For love," Anastasia continues their motto, her burning gaze finding Nate's, and he holds it as meaningfully as he finishes,

"Love Bug!"

His palm lands over Anastasia's small and soft one, and he glances down just in time to see the five hands lifting up in the air with the strength of one unit.

Maybe Andy has been right: it is indispensable for the mission, and the power sparking from the simple movement strengthens Nate's belief that they can move mountains. They can change the world.

"Let's go," he declares with assurance, although his fingers are still trembling as he adjusts the hood on Anastasia's head, making sure that no blond strand is peeking out and that no one can recognize a piece of her, except for the spark of determination that nothing can cover, and as he meets her soft eyes, it is unmistakable for him.

Even all wrapped in black, like they all are, she looks angelic, and she must sense the thought crossing his mind because she leads him out of the van before he can decide to lock her inside to be sure she's away from 'hell'.

There is no turning back from then on, no turning back to the black and stolen van, where Andy is staying in to coordinate the operations, no turning back for the plan, and he still has trouble processing these facts.

First, that they've stolen a van because Hadi has decided it would be safer to not be recognized, and even if he's right, stealing is against all Nate's principles. He would have never imagined doing this three months ago, though it isn't his biggest breach of the law, and the biggest breach is about to happen as he catches the first glimpse of the tall building.

The government's media building that they're about to break into to set a flash drive and diffuse banned works of art all over the world as a rebel act. It's certainly the biggest breach ever realized, if they pull it off, of course.

That's what is the most unbelievable: the plan, the Love Bug, the glimmer of hope that has occupied all their thoughts for the last weeks is happening.

They are doing it. They are fighting for it.

It is sinking in with each step they take to the PROP tower, and there are quite a lot, as they've parked the van a few streets away to not arise suspicions, and they're careful to follow a dark way to the building so they can blend into the shadows. Although there isn't anyone in the streets at this late, or more exactly, early hour of the night.

The silence around is unnerving like the calm before a tempest, yet his tornado is gripping his hand, and even if they aren't talking, everything passes through the light contact of their gloves. They're fighting for it, and they're stronger together.

These words are resonating louder and louder inside his ribcage, while the rest of his body is getting into soldier mode, putting his iron-clad shield on figuratively, like the security gear he's already wearing. So nothing and no one can throw him off balance, and when they finally arrive at the PROP tower, and they all lift their head to the imposing height of steel and glass, his stance isn't wavering.

Only one thing can make him dizzy and breathless.

"Be careful, mon amour." Anastasia and her worried frown pierce through his shield easily as she searches for his eyes, looking to make him hold her words, and as soon as he nods, she wraps her arms around his waist.

It's her way to seal the promise, since their faces are too covered for their usual kisses, and he returns the meaningful gesture with a 'you too', tightening the hug, even if for a too-quick moment as Hadi and Sacha's expectant eyes are on them.

It strains on all his muscles to pull away, and the distance is already heightened when she's only a step away. But they're doing this to be together forever.

It's the sole motivation that allows him to turn to Sacha as they link and secure their climbing gear, almost as tightly as the knots in his stomach, and too soon, everything is ready, his colleague waving to Anastasia and Hadi before he starts climbing with his suction pads gloves.

"See you in a few."

Sacha is right. It's only a few minutes. Nate tends to forget this detail when each second is carrying so many stakes and dangers. Thus, not wasting more, he takes a deep breath, as if it could even reach his lungs in his tensed state, and he follows Sacha after one last nod at Anastasia and Hadi.

This gesture is almost becoming a nervous reflex, yet it's the best way to convey so much when they don't have time for words. It conveys trust, assuring Anastasia that he won't let down all the faith she has in him, and giving his own confidence to her and Hadi while they stay down here.

He has to leave his angel with the Cerberus, and even though it tears off a part of his chest, he trusts Hadi. He trusts Andy, who is also there in a way through their earpieces, and he trusts Sacha, who will be holding his life on the other side of the rope. He trusts all these people, who have become more than teammates in a few days. They're friends now, and it's reassuring to not be alone to fight, but also to make sure Anastasia is safe.

Of course, she doesn't need anyone to be protected, and she's the strongest person he knows. Yet sometimes, her fire takes over too much, and she can be blinded by the flames, being too bold for her own security. So these people are like a safety net, just in case, as his own arms can't be there to catch her because he has to handle his real rope and harnesses and concentrate on his task.

From the moment his feet leave the ground, he can't look down. Although it isn't the height that is scaring him.

He's used to those risks, the prickling surge in his blood and the pull on his muscles. What isn't familiar is the hammering of his heart trying to escape his ribcage and jump back down as his focus isn't only on the destination above. It isn't adrenaline rushing through his veins, yet it makes his muscles faster than ever as he's more than eager to finish this first part of the plan.

He is so rapid that in no time he is already catching up with Sacha, and everything is spinning around as Anastasia watches him climbing the shiny gray facade of the tower.

Even with her feet planted on the ground, a vertigo is invading her from her tight chest, and she is breathless as she follows each of his agile movements. However, it isn't in awe, despite how breathtaking he is, almost flying like a god up the facade in a black outfit that highlights the tensions in his strong muscles even from down here.

She is paralyzed by the height, the tiny ropes, and the hard ground down here. It's dizzying as if she was glancing frantically between those details, and yet her eyes are only on Nathaniel.

"Come on. We have things to do too." Hadi's voice makes her jump out of her trance, a fall down as abrupt as it would be from all those floors as she blinks her eyes in front of his lifted eyebrow.

Though she fights her mind from picturing a real drop, when she is already dizzy enough, and she nods, her hand gripping her compass pendant as if her life depended on it. "Yes."

Her gaze finds its way up for one last glance, where she can see Nathaniel and Sacha appearing now smaller, and she forces herself to follow Hadi, trying to pull arguments to push each of her steps farther from Nathaniel.

The gear is secure and professional, since they have taken it from the army.

They are both trained for this, and it isn't the first time they do some dangerous mission like this.

Her hero... He can do anything, even if for her, it appears like an insurmountable mountain.

She has seen how fast he climbs, although from her last glimpse, he still has been far from the 33rd floor.

33 floor. The only window opening wider than an inch slit has to be on the 33rd floor, in addition to the internal alarm that goes off for any abnormal opening from the outside?

This building is almost impenetrable, almost because if the government has considered every detail for the security, they surely haven't planned for an improbable team like the Love Bug team, and her chest is filling with pride at the thought of this improbable team.

Everyone is bringing their forte, and they have thought through to get around every detail of the impregnable security.

Now, she and Hadi have to do their part.

That's why she has to focus. The arm appearing in front of her chest and stopping her in her tracks is there to remind her, and as she's pushed to the side, in the shadows of the wall, she realizes she has wandered too much in her mind.

At least, it has allowed her to walk to the other side of the building despite her crippling worry. Though when Hadi points to the sign indicating 'Security' near the only illuminated window, it is enough to bring her fully out of her running-in-circle thoughts, and she takes in too clearly the faint sounds of what must be the guards' voices coming from the ajar window.

Just the light buzzing they are forming is resonating loudly in her ears, and if she can judge by the sound of their voices, those guards aren't understanding or kind.

But maybe it is just her nerves that are adding this threatening echo, as even Andy's voice in her ear is startling her.

"Okay, I've hacked the CCTV and put the old footage in a loop. There's 3 guards. Two have their back to the window, and one is sideways, close to the outside alarm monitor."

She needs a few seconds to remember he is speaking through their earpieces and even more to realize he can't see her nod. In the meantime, Hadi has already replied with an 'okay, waiting for the signal', sounding so at ease and professional, while her mouth is too dry to talk, and she is glancing everywhere around like... a novice around all these expert tools, a novice in comparison to everyone.... a stray kitten.

That's the word. The stray kitten is back, and now, she is even more scared to stumble on her shaky legs. Though it doesn't matter when Nathaniel's voice is giving her wings.

"We're at the window."

She could almost believe he is right behind her with the smoothness of his voice in her ear, almost as if she is flying up all these floors to join him, and her heart does, soaring and pumping strength and determination in her veins. With him, she is never a stray kitten.

"Okay, I'll go," Hadi once more replies before she can, handing her his backpack and pointing to the large street lamps that would make everyone as visible as in daylight a few feet away. "Stay here."

As if she could move from her dark corner with how tense her muscles are. Even her eyes are immobile, fixed on the wall monitor standing between the lit main entry and the guards' window as she searches by which path Hadi could sneak to put his flash drive in, and when she finally turns her head, he has already disappeared from her view.

It is clearly his specialty. She has witnessed it a few times already, and Nathaniel has told her how Hadi has been tricking the cameras for years, always avoiding the 'hell' list. Yet she still jumps when he reappears near the lit window, and she is holding her breath as if she was the one who was a window away from the guards, her gaze hanging on all his movements like to a safety rope.

A lot of lives are relying on him at this instant. Nathaniel and Sacha up there depend on him; the whole Love Bug does, and if he is spotted, it can all tumble down.

Meanwhile... she can do nothing, except watch, and it is much more excruciating on all her paralyzed nerves as everything seems to go in slow motion.

However, the second she barely blinks, Hadi is already by the alarm monitor, and the simple signal of his fingers resumes time faster than before.

Finally, she can do something, and her 'now' might be small, but it is as crucial when Hadi can't talk, still stuck against the wall near the guards' ajar window, and each second is precious for Nathaniel and Sacha up there.

Ten seconds, that's exactly what they have to enter before the alarm starts again. It isn't a lot, but it is already a miracle that the rebels have had since long ago this kind of tool to hijack any security system, even one that is working through an internal network and that can't be hacked from outside. Whoever has invented this must have been a genius.

And now, she has to wait again. Every second of silence without hearing anything in her earpiece is interminable. Yet they are already ticking too fast, and it's hard to keep track of them when her heart is echoing so loud against her pendant, and she is picturing each little movement Nathaniel and Sacha have to do to get inside.

She is counting 11 when Nathaniel's smooth voice resonates through her earpiece. "We're inside."

Even if it is just for an instant, the air is reaching her lungs, and maybe it isn't only oxygen opening her ribcage as Nathaniel adds,

"Is everything okay down there?"

Her hero... always worrying more for others than himself.

"Yes," she replies as Hadi joins her, and in her earpiece, she can almost hear a shaky breath, which she recognizes as Nathaniel's, as if he is holding words on his lips, the same way she is doing it with the hold of her teeth on hers.

She has so much to say to her hero. But they don't have time for now, so she turns off her micro, letting Andy speaks as he starts to inform,

"The floor is empty so far."

They are just starting, and the hardest part is yet to come, which appears in the form of a highly bolted door as they reach the meeting point.

Exactly as it is planned, the side door C2 can't be opened or even touched from outside without triggering the alarm, and sadly, even her glare at the dark gray metal is doing nothing to unlock it. Thus, they find themselves waiting again.

At this point, all her nerves are ticking the time, and along with Andy's instructions, which she is listening as carefully as if she was the one running down the 33 floors, and the next steps of their plan she is repeating again and again in her head, it becomes dizzying, the heavy silence around not helping.

She doesn't understand how Hadi, beside her, can be so calm, though he is surely hiding his anxiety behind his stoic look ahead. At least until Andy comments about the fact that they would need a 'cool music' for this part of the Love Bug mission, and she is almost jumping at the sound of a low chuckle cracking Hadi's unblinking stance.

It is even more surprising than the hiding trick he has just done to get to the monitor, and it pulls the first smile on her lips tonight, even if it is just a tensed smirk.

"So... you and Andy?"

Hadi snaps his head towards her so fast that it is comical, especially when he tries to put up his unaffected cocked eyebrow to hide his wide eyes.

He surely hasn't been expecting this now. But she needs to distract herself before exploding and blowing up the Love Bug. Besides, she has meant to talk to him, so at least, it will be done, just in case she isn't able to after...

"Are you officially together? Well, the most 'officially' it can be for now. Are you even married by the way?" The questions fire out of her lips a little too fast, and she stops before sounding a little too much like a prosecution lawyer, a reflex she still has trouble getting rid of, just like her curiosity.

However, it isn't only curiosity because Andy has already told her too much when he has mentioned that he has 'scored his date', and she has noticed how close they have been before leaving for the mission. She just wants to make sure her friend isn't getting carried away and protect him.

"I don't know. Are you and your married captain 'officially' together?" Hadi quickly strikes back, finding again his haughty gaze and pointing it at the pendant she is still gripping with white knuckles. Yet she now recognizes that it is his defensive reflex.

That's why she simply shrugs. "I think the most important is if you both like each other."

Her gaze trails to the closed door, her thoughts drifting to Nathaniel again, or more exactly, they are always spinning around him, no matter how much she tries to distract herself. Just like her heart is ticking each millisecond, even when she focuses her frown on Hadi, and the same way he has tried too many times to scare her away from the rebels, she steps closer threateningly.

"But I gotta warn you, if you break Andy's heart, I'll break you."

"Why I'm not surprised?" He lifts an eyebrow, apparently more amused than impressed. But he still backs away, and his voice, although low, resonates with a sincere and serious echo as he adds in the silence, "I don't plan on breaking his heart... because I like him."

It may be dark around, but she is sure she catches the flash of a bashful sparkle in his eyes as he is turning away, and he is lucky the door opens right at this moment, because otherwise, she would surely try to dig or laugh.

Yet here, she is swept away, figuratively and literally, when two strong arms wrap around her, and she immediately closes her eyes, breathing in the familiar intoxicating perfume and melting against the warm firmness, where she can hear an erratic drumming in sync with her heart.

For an instant, there are only these strong thumps, echoing against their pendants as they find each other even through the fabrics of their clothes, and the rest of the world disappears with the rush of relief washing over them, as strongly and exhilaratingly as if the mission was already achieved.

However, it doesn't last more than one second as their bubble is broken by Andy's announcement through their earpieces. "You can't take the same staircase you just took 'cause there's a guard going down there."

The Love Bug is far from achieved, and when Anastasia pulls away from his chest, Nate realizes that she has surely been safer outside in the shadows, without him, than where they're heading together.

Here, the lighting is bright white, and the dangers are glaring from everywhere.

"Okay, we'll take the other one." Sacha points to the opposite direction, glancing around to make sure there is no one, even if Andy can see everything through the CCTV cameras, and Nate has the same reflex as he tightly holds Anastasia's hand.

The LOVE BUG has started 😈😉 What do you think so far? Are you excited for the next part? It might come sooner than your think... 😏

Don't forget to vote ⭐ and comment to let me know what you think 😘 because I wanna know! Are you as nervous as I am? 😬 And do you like their rebel yell? 😉

Also, what do you think about Hadi's little confession? Isn't he cute? Not something we would have expected from him 😅

Finally, for my Law of Attraction's readers, I hope you caught the hint at a certain genius who liked to highjack security systems 😉😈