Page 19 of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Chapter 9

Liza

(2 weeks ago)

Aknock on the door to the room I shared with Tango was startling, because I hadn’t expected anyone to check up on me. Tango had gone to his tattoo shop, Liquid Lines, earlier. He had some appointments set that he couldn’t reschedule, and while I offered to go he refused. Apparently, it was a security issue to have me outside the compound too much; especially at a tattoo shop considering the last place I’d been spotted was a tattoo convention in Reno.

I understood, even If I didn’t like it very much. I flipped on a robe over my pajamas that consisted of boxer shorts and a tank top since I hadn’t yet replaced everything that I refused to wear after the whores had stolen my things. I had borrowed some sleepwear bottoms from Tango. “Who is it?” I asked as I moved closer to the door.

“Um, it’s me, Amy.” I recognized her voice immediately, and cringed. I honestly didn’t want to be in a room alone with this woman. I still hadn’t figured out the dynamics between her, Whiskey, Tango, and Fox. It seemed like Tango thought one thing was going on while the other three were under the impression that he was part of her reverse harem somehow. It did not leave me with an easy-breezy feeling, nor did the looks I caught her throwing my way once in a while.

I slipped the door open a crack and plastered a polite smile on my face. “Tango isn’t here right now. He went to the shop.”

“I know,” was all she said while she stared me down, waiting for something. I just stood there watching her, watching me. “Are you going to let me in?” She finally snapped the question at me after our minutes-long stare down.

“Um, no,” I stated plainly. Her jaw dropped in surprise and I giggled on the inside at the reaction. She really thought I’d just welcome her into a room that technically wasn’t even mine? No way.

“May I ask why not?” She finally got out, although a bit indignantly.

“Tango isn’t here. This is his space. I wouldn’t feel right inviting you in when I’m not certain how he would feel about you being in his private space.”

“You are in his private space!” She huffed out, as if that meant something.

“He invited me into his room. He’s not here to invite you,” I explained. Not that I should have to, as that seemed like common sense to me.

She was getting frustrated, as evidenced by the uptick in her respiration, and the slight pink tinge to her cheeks and neck. “I don’t understand why you’re being difficult. Tango and I have an intimate relationship, of course I’m always invited into his room.” Her use of the words ‘intimate relationship’ was done in a way to inform me that they had sex. I thought back to him saying he hadn’t had a woman in more than two years, and I wondered now if he meant sexually, or just a relationship. It didn’t matter though, because Amy was clearly suggesting they had more than sex in common.

“Look, Amy, I don’t know you. I don’t know your history. I only know what Tango has confided in me, and that hasn’t been much where you’re concerned. He said the four of you – along with Whiskey and Fox – were friends, and that’s fine. When he’s here, you’re more than welcome to come see him in his room. But when he’s not, you need to wait for him to get back.

“I came to speak to you,” she hissed out between gritted teeth. Yep, clearly frustrated with me.

“You are speaking to me,” I informed her.

She looked over her shoulder down both lengths of the hall. I did as well, and there was only one person there who was doing a horrible job of pretending not to eavesdrop. The sexy blond guy they called Rabbit was watching us curiously with a grin on his face. “I meant in private,” she informed me snarkily.

“Well, give me a moment to get dressed and I can come to your room then. Which is it?” I asked her as she lost her absolute cool.

“Are you retarded or are you trying to piss me off?” Rabbit looked like he was about to jump in and save me with all the glaring he was doing at her now. I just shook my head and smiled at her.

“Well, sweetheart, that is definitely not the way to get me to have a conversation with you. I’m sorry you’re not getting into Tango’s room like you wanted, but again, that’s for him to decide. If respecting someone’s property makes me retarded, then I guess I am. If you truly wanted to speak with me in private, I’m sure there are plenty of other places that conversation can happen, but it will not be in this room.” I stood my ground and she was boiling over, red-faced, and not at all happy that I was maintaining my cool under pressure.

“Tango and I are together,” she stated.

“Does he know that? I thought you were with the other two guys?” I questioned, making her steam a little more with each word I uttered.

“We are all together!” She damn near yelled through still gritted teeth. I honestly felt like she might crack a molar if she kept it up. Also of note, I was beginning to think there was something to that whole red hair and fiery temper stereotype. I noticed that Rabbit was on his phone at this point while continuing to keep watch on what was going on with us in the hallway.

“He already told me you’re all friends, but honey, honestly, I wouldn’t let any of the other guys in here either without his permission. It’s Tango’s room. If he wants guests, he can decide when and who gets in when he’s around to approve it. If what you really want is a conversation with me, then you can be polite and invite me to have a conversation with you. What I do not have to do is indulge you when you’re being a jerk and losing your temper with me for no good reason.”

“What’s going on here?” The man I learned was Whiskey asked as he walked up with Fox quickly following behind him. I didn’t get a chance to speak though, because that was when Rabbit stepped in and hushed Amy as she attempted to shout her side of things at them.

“I’m not sure what your girl is doing here,” he started.

“It’s Tango’s room. She’s allowed to be here if she wants to be,” Whiskey announced.

“No, she’s not. He has a guest staying with him, and when he’s not here to okay it she shouldn’t be coming around demanding entrance.” Both Whiskey and Fox bounced their visual fields between Rabbit, myself, and a still enraged Amy.

“What has you so upset, Ames?” Whiskey asked while Fox kept his eyes glued to me, suspicion filling them to the brim.

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