Jump Line (Book 1 - Jump Line Series)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

There were so many thoughts racing through my mind. A plan. That's what Samuel said to the group. We needed a plan, and it had to be one that was well thought-out and executed. This mission had to be successful.

"Let's go back to Paul's place and prepare. We may need extra weapons," Theo said, looking at each of us as if inspecting our white uniforms. He paused when he caught my eyes.

The rest of the team headed off, talking amongst themselves, but Theo and I remained.

"Esa, please be careful. We've lost you once before and I don't want to lose you again. This mission could get dangerous, since there is so much at stake. Plus, none of us has ever been inside Troy's facility. Our information is very limited. We have no idea what could be waiting for us."

Before I could stop him, Theo pulled my face close to his, our lips only millimeters apart. We stared at one another in silence, before he pushed me back again.

"Stop! Don't walk away from me." My voice was firm, my entire body shaking from being so close to him. I longed for his friendship and his touch.

Theo turned back. His eyes glowed with a new level of intensity. "When you disappeared, I thought my entire world was over. Don't you get it? Don't you understand? I don't ever want to have that feeling again. I don't ever want to love someone so much that, when they're gone, it hurts. Esa, I don't think I will survive if it happens again."

Grabbing his arms, I guided his body back towards me. "I didn't purposefully leave you or at least I didn't intend to be gone for three years. Something happened. I'm sorry you were hurt. I'm sorry I disappeared. Trust me, I want answers just as much as you do."

His look caused my heart to beat faster. There was nothing I wanted more than to be close to him. I just hoped he could truly understand, and forgive me.

He tilted my chin and leaned down. His soft lips touched mine, sending a soft shock from the two electrical forces coming together. His lips were warm and inviting as he continued to kiss me.

"I can't lose you again, Esa. I can't," he softly whispered as he pulled away, his eyes so full of hurt, I could feel his sadness. He leaned down again and gave me another gentle kiss on the cheek; then he pulled away and headed after the rest of the group. It took me several seconds of standing in silence before I was finally able to join him.

The others were already inside the apartment, Samuel pacing the living room. "Audrina and Gave, if I gave you chargers, do you think you would be quick enough to jump through the facility and place them at strategic points? I'd like to take down the main building, but keep the holding facility intact."

"We could probably do it, but I would need to have a better look at the complex with a map of all target locations." Gave said. "I also need to get some extra materials."

"I have a few things I need to get as well if we really plan to infiltrate NorthStar," Audrina said, moving to stand next to Gave.

"Fine," Samuel responded. "You can leave in a little bit. Theo, you'll be on Luther. Find him and distract him while we set the rest of the plan in motion."

"My pleasure," Theo responded, his jaw clenched. He looked over at me, and his eyes were now completely void of any hurt or sadness. He was preparing to fight. "Can I go ahead and kill him?"

"No."

"Fine, but either it's me or we all know Audrina will end up doing it."

"Just leave him for me." Audrina said.