Chapter 9

Thomas rolled his car into the empty parking space with ease. He removed himself from his car and buttoned the third button on the blazer instinctively as he made his way through the crowd of people standing outside and into the club. As a young man, he'd remembered this place being the best spot for people looking for a random hook-up. He prayed the culture was very much alive, a random hook-up was just what he needed to erase the memory of Avril's bare body from his mind.

"Thomas Lynne. Well, I'll be damned." Thomas was recognized by the bartender as he was sliding into a seat at the bar.

"Charlie, good God man how long has it been?" Thomas' features were no longer pensive and sullen. He immediately smiled. Charlie had been one of his closest friends in College. That was of course, before Thomas dropped out to join his father's company as an active spy. Over the years they had lost touch.

"Since you ditched me to become a rich businessman? Well, let's see..." He made a point of pretending to count the years. "About seven years, man." His eyes widened as he said the time out loud. He was truly astonished at how many years had passed by.

"Seems like yesterday I was bailing your sorry ass out of trouble," Thomas replied a nostalgic mood enveloped him. He hadn't meant to lose contact with his closest friend but work as a spy was demanding and dangerous. He'd always remind himself to check up but those intentions were easily lost in his world.

"Trouble you started." Charlie laughed as gave a customer their order.
Thomas laughed. Charlie wasn't lying. Thomas had been the classic example of what a black sheep ought to have been. During high school he'd had multiple suspensions. None was ever chalked up to expulsion but Thomas knew that was due to his father's influence. He was a troublemaker, plain and simple, it was a surprise to him that he'd actually gotten accepted to University. He couldn't imagine any of his teachers, or the principal giving him a sound recommendation.

"So how have you been?" Thomas questioned, truly curious to know what he'd missed out on.
"Been great. Got engaged two months ago actually." He bent down behind the counter and fished out an invitation. He handed it to Thomas.
Thomas didn't know what to make of it. One of his oldest friend's was getting married. A sinking feeling took over. Here he was looking for a hook-up when his friends were preparing to settle down and become productive members of society. He wondered if he would ever be able to form such a lasting connection with someone.

"That's amazing man, congratulations!" Thomas reached out and gave him a pat on his shoulder. He truly felt happy.

"Who would have thought that, Charlie, the biggest player in highschool would turn out to be a family man." Thomas mused. Charlie shook his head in amusement.

"Yes, well if you could keep that dark part of my history to yourself, I will appreciate it." he responded slyly.

"Ahh, the future missus doesn't know?" Thomas questioned incredulously.

"She knows in theory that I have a lot of experience with the opposite sex. She also never really questioned it because in her mind she thinks I was always into the serious relationships and I haven't the heart to tell her that I was scum before she came into my life." Charlie revealed as he reached across to pour another customer a drink.

"What's that old, tired, worn-out saying? Love makes you blind." Thomas inputted and Charlie nodded his approval.

"I really cannot see myself with anyone else, anyway I hope you can make it. Wedding's in a couple of months. Give me your details and I will send you a reminder. You can bring a date if you want." Charlie gave Thomas a secretive wink. The man obviously thought that Thomas had a special person of his own. But Thomas knew the truth. He was alone. He hadn't yet evolved on the same plane as his childhood friend.

"You can count on it," Thomas replied, knowing fully well that he wouldn't miss the happiest day of his friend's life.
He ordered his drink. Whisky, neat. The club became busier as happy hour arrived and Charlie was off performing his duties. Thomas twirled the glass with one hand as he slouched against the wooden chair. He was very much aware of two distinct women eying him lustfully. Of course, they didn't know he'd already seen them after all, for the entire world he appeared to have interest in nothing but the smooth liquid lining his glass like honey. However, he'd learned to hone his observation skills over the years to such perfection that it was nearly impossible for his targets to know they'd been spotted.
But for a moment, Thomas had to admit, he was lost. Not in the glass before him but rather in the thought of plump innocent lips touching his own. The image of her body, wild wavy hair cascading down her shoulders, and wide eyes infiltrated his thoughts. He thought of having her splayed out on his bed, making her moan with pleasure only he could give her. He wanted to see those eyes glossed over with pleasure and her body writhing from his touch.

A solid hand spread out on his shoulder and the heat that emanated from it was too profound to be from any female. Thomas tensed instantly. His profession brought many hazards and it would be foolish to think that he would always be safe when not in the line of duty. The truth was you could never tell who knew about you and who craved revenge.

"Calm down man, I'm friendly." The man eased into a seat next to Thomas and he relaxed. He was worried he might have had to commit murder in front of everyone in the club.

"Austin Cyner." Thomas turned to face the man. He pronounced the words, allowing the surprise he felt to infiltrate his voice.

"In the flesh." Austin grinned as he ordered himself a drink to match that of Thomas'.

"What are you doing here?" Thomas questioned.

"I should be asking you the same...word around the grapevine is that you've fallen in love and deserted your duties." Austin grinned again, obviously, he thought those rumors absurd. Rightly so because they were...Thomas, in love? Hell, he couldn't recall the last time he was with the same woman twice and he didn't even see that happening. He appreciated variety and his freedom to do as he pleased without constantly having to consider another person's feelings.

"Of all the different options...that's the one the best assassins came up with?" Thomas scoffed, taking a sip of his drink.
Austin downed his drink in one swoop and asked for another. "They may be good at killing but not so good in the upstairs area, if you know what I mean." He shook his head. "So what is the reason you went MIA?" he turned his attention to Thomas.
Thomas observed Austin, it was obvious he was here on a job. The man's body screamed alert. Austin was the closest Thomas had to a friend at the organisation they worked for. There was mutual understanding between them, not to mention Austin was the only person who knew the real Thomas Lynne, the man their world called Reaper. He knew it the same for Austin as well and both men regarded each other as equals.

"Dad put me on forced down time," Thomas revealed.

"Ouch..." Austin responded. He knew how important work was to Thomas. "Well, maybe it was a good thing. You were burying yourself with too much." Austin was honest. He'd always promised to say the brutal truth regardless of if it offended anyone. It was better than lying and sugarcoating. That took too much energy.

"I would have been fine." Thomas drawled, downing his drink and calling for another. He still couldn't believe his father made him take a hiatus from his job.
"Look, this job can make you feel really empty after a while, the high ebbs away sooner than it used to and fucking some random woman doesn't quite take the edge away anymore. And when that happens..." Austin was cut across.

"Don't tell me you're gonna say I really should have found a woman to run away with." Thomas looked at Austin, his features set in rigid muscles.
"Goodness no!" Austin grinned mischievously. "I was gonna say go cold turkey for a while that way when you start up again all will be renewed. Or if the women aren't to your liking, maybe switch up your usual taste." He offered.
Thomas lowered his head and laughed. He knew not to expect some overly cheesy conversation with Austin and yet he had almost thought it was going to happen.
Just then a chorus of screams and gasps filled the club. The music instantly ceased, the lights no longer dimmed as everyone turned their attention to where the chaos emanated from.
Austin didn't move a muscle, he finished his drink, a small smile visible on the corner of his cheek. His body finally relaxed.
Thomas grinned.

"I see venom struck." Thomas jibbed using Austin's alias in their world. Austin was famous for using untraceable poisons to eliminate his hits. It wasn't as if he couldn't fight, but he claimed it less messy. The man hated getting blood on his body and clothes. He would often bitch about it when they started off training and so he decided to get into the art of deadly chemicals.

"More like I got lucky." Austin smiled mischievously. "Well then, old friend." Austin stood, gathered his coat. "I must be on my way, I shall call on you tomorrow evening before I leave the Country. But for now, I think I am in need of a softer touch than yours for comfort." He gave Thomas a suggestive wink.

"Besides, the brunette across the bar hasn't stopped eying you," Austin revealed. Thomas looked back at the woman, she was pretty, but he turned away from her as soon as she smiled. He couldn't think of a logical reason and yet there was one. A reason that was absurd and illogical.
Austin eyed him suspiciously. "I think I am good for tonight," Thomas replied. He wasn't in the least bit turned on by the brunette...why? He wasn't sure. She was definitely beddable but his intimate friend concealed within his trousers didn't even stir at the sight of her.

********

Avril knew the very second Thomas left the house, hell, how could she not be aroused by the blasphemous sound that only really decadent and fast cars made. It wasn't as if she was asleep any way. His words taunted her. How could he tell her she wasn't far from infancy? She was, by Law, an adult and it was unnerving for someone other than her parents to describe her as a child.
She knew she wasn't endowed with the graces of actually being an adult, she still had lots to learn, but how could she endeavour at learning and growing if no one gave her room to do so?
She exhaled a heavy sigh and shook those thoughts from her head and it came back to her that Thomas had just left the house. Her anger was subdued but it was there none the less. For a man who claimed to be responsible he was proving the contrary. He left her, a girl he thought close to infancy, alone in a huge house, that she was certain would attract robbers, and he went OUT.....
Avril tried not to let the memory of a man who meant nothing to her cause her discomfort. She rolled around in bed, pulled the covers up over her head, and tried to sleep. Tomorrow she vowed not to stay held up in this house....certainly not with that scoundrel.