𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄 ━━ 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴

⠀⠀𝟭𝟵. ❛ CHOKE YOU OUT ❜

     Inhaling one last, deep breath, I placed my hands on my hips. "What the actual fuck, Owen?" I hissed, turning around to face the man I'd once found solace and happiness in. Now, what I saw and dug up was nothing but contempt and reckless self-loathing.

     Pressing his lips together, Owen stared back at me sternly as I raised a brow, waiting for him to explain himself. "What?" he finally asked, throwing his hands out to his side, behaving as if he hadn't just burned everything to the ground.

     "That was my client — my deal. I've been working with him and his company for months, and you just fucked it up in a matter of seconds. I lost a client because your self-righteous ass, for some unknown reason, decided to step in and pick a fight with him. You weren't even supposed to be here! And now, you just lost us five million dollars!" I shouted, gesturing above us to where the club resided. "Not to mention, I can't go and see my dad now!"

     Owen rolled his eyes and stepped forward. "Lyn, did you not see how he was looking at you?" he retorted.

     At his words, my mouth dropped. "Did you really just ask that?" I hissed, stepping forward as my eyes narrowed.

     "Yeah, I did," Owen snapped. "He was eyeing you like a piece of candy, Cara!"

     "So?! You aren't my boyfriend! You haven't been for a long time, so get your head out of your ass and stop acting like you are. I know he was staring at me like that! Shit, I'd look at me too if I was him, but that doesn't give you the right to interfere and fuck the deal up. I was doing what I'd been trained to do. I'm doing my fucking job. So, get off whatever high horse you're on and back the hell off of me and my business." I spat, my voice loud and commanding as my chest rose up and down laboriously. I was out of breath from talking without taking a moment to breathe and getting worked up.

     His hands clenched into visible fists, and he walked towards me. "The last time I checked, I was still one of the leaders of the Scorpions. Your boss," he growled, stopping once he was only inches away.

     "Well, can my boss take a step back and sober up? I can smell the alcohol radiating off of you, asshole."

────

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗬 　　　

     I HADN'T SLEPT A WINK. Although every muscle in my body had pleaded for me to lie down and rest, my mind had other plans. Ever since landing in Quantico, Virginia, at precisely 2:28 this morning, everything following afterward had become a blur of muted voices and restless paranoia.

     From what I could vividly recall, once arriving, Hotch ordered a car to drive both Spencer and I to the Wallflower Apartment Complex— my newfound home. The ride had been moderately quiet, as I spent most of the time staring out the window and checking every so often to ensure we weren't being followed.

     Every movement I made was intentional and precise in its purpose. I monitored my breathing to ensure the doctor to the left of me never once entertained the idea that something was amiss, and I kept my signature blank expression displayed the entire car ride. Everything was done with complete consciousness, for I couldn't help but feel like a set of camouflaged eyes were watching everything I did. Every breath I breathed and every word I spoke. Observed and noted.

     There were still members of the Red Scorpions that had yet to be caught, and a small voice in the depth of my mind couldn't help but believe that they could be following me. Keeping their eye on me and ensuring that I didn't open my mouth any further than I already had. Ensuring that I didn't snitch on our contacts or discuss past events.