Page 13 of Collapsed

WhileStrykerisstilltalking, I get right to figuring out the logistics of the mission ahead of us. I don't want to waste any time finding our girl. I sent an email to line up the private jet while he was retrieving Alexie; it looks like we are claiming the jet as ours now. There will be a few SUVs waiting at the airport for us as well. I want our girl to feel pampered once we get her back. Stryker hasn’t had his hand slapped by the board about our spending habits yet, so why not push it? I booked us the penthouse suite at The Plaza because, why not? We’ll be in New York.

Once I realize Stryker is asking me about travel plans, I relay it all back to him since I’ve already set it all up. I raise my eyebrows, waiting for his response about booking the penthouse. He doesn't seem to mind, though; he is probably thinking the same thing as I am and wants Nat to be comfortable. It’s killing all of us, having no idea what she’s been going through and knowing what that psycho is capable of… our minds can’t help but imagine the darkest things possible.

Stryker releases us from the meeting, telling us to go pack a bag, and everyone starts to disperse. Right as I cross the dining room threshold, Stryker says my name in a hushed tone. Turning around slowly, I see him waving at me to come back quietly.

“What's up? Why are you being all secret Sally over here?” I ask, raising a brow at him.

“Well, I don't think Katia should come with us. This is all too fresh for her, being with Ivan and all those terrible things that were done to her. I think she will be safer back here with BJ, protected.”

“I don't know, man. I don’t think she's going to go for that at all. She loves Nat just as much as the rest of us. Actually, she probably loves her even more,” I say back, skeptical of his plan.

“Conrad, she has no training, she can’t defend herself. I can’t risk her getting taken again or taking any manpower away from finding Nat. Furthermore, do you think if we let her go and something happens to her that Nat will ever forgive us? We already have so much to make up for as it is.” He looks at me with empty eyes. He’s had this look ever since Nat was taken. I can tell it's really eating at him. It is upsetting us all; we all love her, but I think he is taking it to a whole other level since he is the boss, and he not only let something happen to his lover but one of his teammates. He lets out a big huff of air. “I know she won’t be happy about this, but my reason for telling you is that I hoped I could have you break the news to her. You are nicer than I am, the news might come a little bit better from you instead of seeming like an order from me.” He gives me a hopeful look.

I take a moment to think about everything before answering. “Ugh, I guess so! You know this is kind of a pussy move coming from you, you don't normally back down from a challenge.” I laugh at that comment, hoping it will lighten the mood a bit, and it works. He laughs with me and slaps me on the shoulder.

“I will take that insult… this time, my man.” Still laughing, he turns to go toward his room and pack. I wait a moment to make sure I am alone before walking down the hall to the staircase.

I call out to BJ to come see me for a minute in my room. I hear a quick, “Yup, just a minute,” from what I think is maybe the kitchen, so I continue upstairs. A few minutes later, BJ is swinging my door open with her hands full of snacks.

She shrugs at me with a huge smile plastered across her face. “Sorry, I was feeling a bit snacky,” she says, blushing a bit.

I shake my head a few times at her antics. “Hey, can we talk? I need your help, a favor with something,” I ask her with a hint of nerves in my voice.

“Oookay, anything for my favorite band of misfits. How can I help?”

“Stryker has put me in a bit of a pickle. I need your help with Katia. Stryker says she has to stay behind here in Chicago. I was hoping you could make it sound fun to stay back with just you since Marcela will be with us. She needs to be safe, and she has almost no self-defense skills. You can both stay here or if you would rather, she can go to the new house with you and Lane. Either way is fine, as long as she isn’t in New York with the rest of the team.” I stare at BJ and read all the emotions crossing her face at my words.

“So, you're telling me I need to convince her… to stay here… in Chicago… and NOT go find the love of her life in New York.” I open my mouth to speak, but she puts a finger up, cutting me off before continuing. “Because y'all don't think she will be safe enough!”

I cringe, realizing how it all sounds before answering her with, "Uh, yeah. That's about right." Unsure of my request now.

“Boss-man has put us both in a shitty spot now, hasn't he… Okay, I’ll do it, but you both owe me something big! I will think about it and let you know what it shall be, okay?” She is so matter-of-fact about it I can only smile back at her and nod.

“I will go talk to her now to see what she would like to do. If she wants to stay here at the house, I will hurry home and grab some things I'll need. But if she wants to come to my house, I'll help her pack some stuff, and we will head to my house tonight to start our slumber party extravaganza. I'll come back and let you know her answer before we go, so you can relay it to the Boss-man.” Before waiting for a response, she blows me a kiss, leaving me to go across the hall.

Figuring that conversation will be tense and rather long, I decide to hit the shower quickly so I’ll be clean for the morning. After that, I'll throw together a bag. Walking into the bathroom, I strip down and toss my dirty clothes into my hamper. Turning on the water to warm up, I go to the sink to gather the things I’ll be taking on our trip.

After a few minutes, the water is steaming; I step in and feel the tension in my muscles drain away with the water. Washing myself and rubbing my hands all over, I can’t help but realize how much I miss my Spitfire’s hands running over my body.

Thinking of her causes my dick to stiffen. I have been so busy trying to fix all the chaos over the last few days I haven't really thought of my own needs. I reach down and slowly stroke my hard wet cock as the warm water mixes with my pre-cum, lubricating it for me. Prior to Nat, I used to pleasure myself probably every time I took a shower, at least since I was fifteen or sixteen. You forget how satisfying it can be when you don’t partake in a while.

Thoughts and images of my Spitfire race through my head, causing me to increase my speed. I imagine myself deep inside her, here in this shower, water splashing over her hardened, wet nipples, and I moan, basking in the feeling of euphoria gathering inside of me. Reaching my arm up over my head, I place it on the wall in front of me under the shower head to balance myself. I can tell my end will be here soon. Just as my girl is about to explode all over my dick in my fantasy, I imagine myself filling her to the brim with my seed. I explode all over my hand and the wall I’m leaning on. Breathing heavily, I stand there while the water washes away any evidence of what I just did. I can't help but feel the hole Nat’s disappearance has caused to get a little bit bigger.

Getting out and drying myself off, I grab a pair of sweats and step into them. Sitting on the corner of my bed, I contemplate our trip to New York. I go over how many changes of clothes I need to pack. Getting back up and walking to my closet, I grab a small duffle bag and toss in my toiletries, then grab four days' worth of clothes. I don't plan on being there that long, but just in case, I don't want to find my girl while wearing dirty clothes.

Just as I finish zipping up my bag, BJ hops into my room, skipping like a giddy teen.

“So, how did it go?” I ask with a pained expression.

“Ew, that face makes you look like you need to take a poop or something.” She laughs at me. “Anyways, it went fine. She definitely doesn't know the whole truth. I may have had to tell a few little fibs, but she is going to come to my new place so we can hang with Lane. She is putting a bag together now, then we will head over there. I will let Stryker know once we are home and settled in. We are going to do a movie night tonight with all the good snacks.” She winks, making her way over to me to kiss me on the cheek and pull me into a huge hug. “Be safe, Connie, and bring our girl home to us, will you?” She pats me on the cheek and heads back out of the room right as I respond with, “We will, BJ. I Promise.”

The following morning, we all gather with our small travel bags out front, loading them up into the car to make our way to the airport. Since we are all stuck in one car, apparently, we decide it's the perfect time to express our feelings about this entire situation.

“I feel like I’ve failed her… and all of you, at that. I am supposed to lead us as a team, make sure we all make it in and out of the dangerous situations this job entails, ya know?” Stryker randomly admits while driving.

Alexie interjects before Stryker can continue, “No, the only person to blame is that waste of life, Umbra. And we will make him very sorry he ever thought he could have our woman.”

“I see what you're saying, Stryker. I feel like I failed her too. Watching her getting carried out of the room while I was helplessly tied to that chair will be burned into my memories for a lifetime. Even if she forgives us, I am not sure if I can forgive myself,” King shares, as well.

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