Authors: Fiona Palmer
Pax spluttered. ‘Damn.’
‘Bloody hell, how many other secrets are there that I don’t know about? Does Tay know?’
‘He found out by accident. I couldn’t tell either of you, no matter how much I wanted to. You understand, don’t you Anna? Please don’t hate me?’ Jaz watched her friend closely. She knew every freckle on Anna’s face, she knew each smile and could read her every mood. Life without Anna wouldn’t be worth living.
Anna sighed, her shoulders dropped. ‘I knew something was up with you and Tay. Neither of you have been the same lately.’ Her piercing green eyes held hers. ‘So what is it? Are you with this Agency too? Just like Ryan?’
Jaz nodded. ‘Yes, he’s recruited me and I said yes to join after our school ball.’ She had to tell her the truth, all of it now. Jaz wanted no stone left unturned. She’d lied for long enough to her best friend.
‘Oh, wow.’ Anna watched the both of them. ‘So you’re with the Agency then.’ She thought for a moment. ‘Well, that’s it then. I definitely want in. There is no way I’m not going to have my friends back. Pax? Please?’
Pax sunk his face into his hands and groaned. ‘I wish Ryan had never stepped foot inside The Ring. I curse that day.’
‘Please, Pax,’ pleaded Jaz. ‘The day Ryan offered me a job at the Agency was the day I felt like I’d finally found my purpose in life. Don’t take that away from Anna. You know she can do it with her eyes closed. I need someone out there that I can trust and you could use the help. Especially if you keep eating crap.’ She rolled her eyes.
‘I can’t believe you’ve been ignoring the doctors warnings,’ added Anna. ‘Are you taking your medication?’
He sat up. ‘Of course. I’m not that stupid. It’s hard to change bad habits. I’m trying. You two are worse than a nagging wife.’
‘We love you,’ said Anna sweetly. ‘So. Do you think the Agency will let me learn the ropes?’
Pax pushed his cup away from him. ‘I guess there is nothing I can say to persuade you otherwise?’
Anna shook her head. ‘No. Pax, let me into your world. Let me do something great.’ She cocked her head to the side and smiled. ‘Funny how so much makes sense now.’
Jaz chuckled, remembering how she’d thought the same after finding out about Pax.
‘I’ll need to check with the Agency first. It comes down to them.’ Pax scratched his head. His posture was defeated, he wasn’t happy about any of this.
‘Well, don’t sell me short,’ said Anna.
‘He won’t. Will you, Pax?’ Jaz reached for his hand. The contrast of his ageing skin against hers made him seem so fragile. She leant in and put her hand on his chest. ‘Do you feel that, Pax? That some of the weight has gone from your chest now there is one less person to lie to.’
And for the first time since Anna had caught him out, Pax actually smiled. He covered her hand, patting it. They both shared that feeling of relief. Jaz had only been lying a short time and it had killed her. Imagine what a lifetime had done to Pax.
‘Okay. I’ll make contact tomorrow.’
Anna reached across and put her hand on his too. ‘Thanks Pax. You won’t regret it.’
‘Hmm, that’s debatable,’ he said, as they all sat back in their chairs.
‘So, how did Tay find out then?’ asked Anna.
Oh dear. Where did Jaz start. She decided the beginning was the best. She told her about Marcus and his dad and the night she called Taylor to help.
‘Oh my GOD. That’s a bullet wound!’ Anna almost shrieked as she pointed to her leg. Then her tone changed. ‘Can I see it? Does it look as cool as Ryan’s?’
Jaz lost it laughing while Pax rolled his eyes. ‘How about I leave you two to chat while I check on Bags and set up another test for you, Jaz. I’ll be about ten minutes.’
‘Okay.’
After Pax left, Jaz showed Anna her wound. It was still a little raw and sore but no longer bleeding or weeping.
‘You’ve only just met Ryan and yet you have this and that knife wound.’
‘In his defence, the knife attack wasn’t Agency related.’
‘I know,’ said Anna. ‘It just seems to add to it all. But what about Tay? How are you both coping with … you know? That.’ She grimaced.
That
was a better word than
death
.
‘Not well. We took a life, Anna. It’s haunting us both. Tay is going to be so relieved that you know. He really needs you. We both do. Thank you for understanding all of this.’ Anna could have been pissed at them for lying to her and keeping secrets, and she would have had every right to be, but it showed just how thick their bonds were that she didn’t turn her back on them. Instead she’s jumping in with them. Like the Musketeers, one for all and all for one. Her fencing coach would be proud to hear that.
‘Jaz,’ called Pax from the gym.
‘Right, I better go and practise some more. Well talk later, yeah?’ said Jaz as she got up.
Anna nodded. ‘I’m not going anywhere. I have so many more questions, you know?’
‘Yeah, well I’m not going anywhere either.’
Anna came and hugged her tight. It was everything Jaz needed.
After Pax ran her through some more memory drills, she went and got changed so she could work out, plus the gym needed some cleaning. Pax didn’t want her to do it but Jaz wasn’t an invalid and the work was all exercise anyway. Every bit would count.
She was at the speedball, dripping with sweat, when her phone chimed an hour later. It was Marcus, just seeing how she was. His concern brought a smile to her lips. She had The Ring to herself, Pax and Anna had no doubt snuck off to his special room for some geek speak. After replying to Marcus, she went and stuck her head into Pax’s special room. It was weird the door not being locked anymore.
‘Having fun, kids?’ Both had their heads together by the big screen. ‘I’m ready to head home.’
‘I’ll take you both. How did you get here, Anna?’ Pax asked.
‘Ricky dropped me off after the library. But I don’t want to go home yet, this is all so interesting.’
‘It may be,’ he said. ‘But it will still be here tomorrow.’
Anna grinned. ‘I’ll come here straight after school with Jaz.’
Pax was shaking his head as they got up to leave. ‘No, Jaz has other plans.’
‘I do?’
He waited until he’d locked the door. ‘Yes. Ryan will pick you up from school, he is teaching you some hand signals with one of the other recruits.’
‘Oh, that sounds like fun,’ said Anna as she almost skipped outside towards the car.
‘Right. Another recruit.’ Jaz was a little disappointed that she had to share her time with Ryan. But the idea of learning hand signals was exciting. She’d seen Ryan using them in Pakistan with Tilly when they were in trouble. No words were needed yet they knew exactly what the other was going to do. Jaz wanted that knowledge.
‘He said to bring your study books,’ Pax added.
As he drove them home, Jaz didn’t ask why she’d need her books. Knowing Ryan there was a good reason.
‘Thanks Pax, see you tomorrow,’ they said as they waved goodbye after he’d dropped them off outside Jaz’s house.
‘It’s funny. I always felt it in my bones that Pax was different and exciting, you know. Not like my family. He just radiates something else and now, now it all makes sense. Life doesn’t seem so dull anymore, hey,’ said Anna as she watched the little red car disappear up the street.
‘I know what you mean.’
‘I also feel like I’m so much closer to Pax, you know. His secrets are my secrets. And you too.’ Anna reached out and hugged her again. ‘I love you, Jaz. I’m glad there’s no more secrets. There aren’t, are there?’
‘Not secrets, but there is more to tell.’ Like Pakistan and the operation she was tasked with.
‘Hello, lovely ladies,’ said a voice.
They turned to see Taylor walking up the street. His walk was slow and casual, his hands deep in the pockets on his loose jeans. He’d changed out of his uniform and was wearing a casual grey t-shirt and his white Nikes.
‘Tay, what are you doing?’ Jaz was surprised to see him without his Mustang.
‘Got bored at home and thought I’d see if you were back.’ His eyes went straight to Anna. She launched into his arms and squeezed him tightly.
‘Oh, Tay. I’m so sorry,’ she said.
Tay shot Jaz a confused look. ‘She
knows
Tay.’
‘Pax and Jaz told me everything. I can’t believe it! But It’s okay, I’m here for you now,’ she whispered into Tay’s neck. His eyes softened as her words sunk in. Dragging his hands out of his jeans he wrapped them around Anna.
His tension fell away as he savoured the hug and pressed his lips against her shoulder. Jaz couldn’t keep the silly grin off her face. They looked so good together.
He sighed. ‘Thank God. I hated not telling you.’
Anna leant back so she could see his face. ‘You were amazing to save Jaz. I’m so glad you had her back.’
Jaz cleared her throat. ‘How about you take Tay home to the tree house and talk?’ she suggested. Somewhere quiet and private. ‘I have to go home and help do dinner.’
Anna finally pulled away but her hand found his. ‘Good plan. Come on, Tay. See ya tomorrow, Jazzy.’
‘Bye Anna, see ya Tay.’ Taylor shot her a massive smile, his eyes grateful. As her best friend strolled towards her house with Tay in tow, Jaz couldn’t help but be thankful that she had both of them in her life. Things didn’t seem so life crushing when you had dedicated friends to share your pain with. And having them by her side is what was going to get Jaz through her new life and all the changes. She could survive her nightmares with those two in her corner.
At school the next day Anna never left their sides, as if they would collapse in their own grief if she wasn’t there to hold their hands. It was nice. Things were like before Anna started dating Ricky; they sat at their table at lunchtime together again, laughing and telling jokes. Jaz felt better and she knew Taylor did too. Anna was the distraction from their thoughts.
Ricky walked past and gave Anna a weak smile before dropping his head and leaving the cafeteria with a sandwich.
‘You could have asked Ricky to eat with us,’ said Jaz.
Anna rolled her apple around her hand, engrossed.
‘I promise I’ll behave,’ said Tay. ‘If you want him to join us.’
She shrugged. ‘No, it’s fine.’ Anna cleared her throat. ‘We’ve actually just gone back to being friends. I don’t really want the complications of a boyfriend right now.’
Jaz and Tay shared a glance, both forcing their smiles to remain hidden. ‘We’re sorry, Anna. Are you sure you’re okay?’ So much focus had been on them lately, and Anna was always so bubbly that it was easy to forget that it wasn’t always the case.
‘Gosh yeah, don’t worry about me. It wasn’t that serious. It’s not like I loved him or anything.’
Tay wrapped his arm around her shoulders. ‘You still have us.’ He kissed her head before letting her go.
Minka walked passed, witnessed the exchange and faked a gag. Anna turned a shade of pink.
Minka sashayed away, her uniform skirt pushing the boundaries of ridiculously short. ‘Some days I wish it was her dad we were investigating,’ Jaz whispered softly. She’d rather Minka suffered than Marcus. While she was thinking of him, she pulled out her phone and sent him a text, explaining that she was studying with some friends after school and couldn’t meet up but would call him before she went to bed. They’d only just started doing that, talking to each other at night, which was nice, but Jaz was worried she’d come to like it too much and would end up depending on his calm soft voice. It had certainly helped with her nightmares.
Once this mission was finished with Marcus, she’d no longer have his calls to look forward to and would mourn the loss of a great friend. She was in no hurry to get to that point.
After school, Ryan was waiting for her, just like Pax said. Instead of leaving her books in her locker, she packed them in her bag as requested. Today had also been a step forward when she left her crutches at home. She dragged her foot a bit when she walked and still kept most of her weight on her other side, but at least she didn’t have those metal legs to manoeuvre around. Walking was done at a snail’s pace though, and going down the steps caused her some pain, but seeing Ryan waiting by his car had made it all worth it. The man was hot. He was dressed casually in stone-washed jeans with a tear by the knee. He had on a plain grey V-neck shirt with a small pocket on the right. But it was his tanned skin, tight across his muscles, she noticed the most. He had the best arms. His tall, strong body commanded attention.
‘Good luck,’ said Anna, giving her a thumbs up and dragging Jaz’s mind from her Ryan appraisal. Tay was taking her to The Ring for her computer lessons. She’d talked of nothing else all day.
‘You too.’
Ryan waved to her friends as they went past, before reaching out to take her schoolbag. ‘How are you? No crutches, hey?’
‘Yeah. It’s not so bad. Still can’t chase anyone yet.’
Ryan opened the back door, threw her bag inside before standing by the door for her to get in. Someone else was in the front seat!
As he pushed it shut his scent saturated the air around her, making Jaz sink back into the seat like hot lava.
‘Hi. I’m Cody, you must be Jaz?’ said the warm voice from the front seat. His hand reached into the back, invading her moment of lust.
She bolted upright. ‘Hi. Yep, I’m Jaz.’ His hand was strong as she shook it. Cody had a mop of blond hair. He looked like a surfie, deep tan and bright blue eyes.
Ryan climbed in as Cody withdrew his hand. He didn’t say anything, obviously their introduction was enough. He started the car and drove them to a park not far away.
He pulled up in a parking space and nodded to the bench in front. ‘We’ll sit there. Jaz, bring your bag.’ Then he got out. He seemed so formal and Jaz wondered if it was because of Cody.
At the metal bench, Ryan helped Jaz spread out her books. ‘Jaz, you might want to take notes to study later.’ At this, Cody pulled out a small notepad and a pencil from his back pocket.
‘Now, both of you have your own ops coming up so it is imperative that you know hand signals to control your team. There will be no talking and no use of names.’