Hide from 'Falling' || H.S

Chapter 38 - Ashley | The exchange

"Privacy has always been important to me, my dear." He replied vaguely, and I rolled my eyes for the first time today, due to his choice of the already familiar name that I so loathed.
"Okay, then give me the USBs and you'll have all that privacy again." I replied, keeping an eye out for the two small technical devices that had already caused me so much trouble.

Nick finally pulled out the two USBs from his pocket and held them triumphantly in the air. "What I have to say about these is that they've shown a lot of trouble." he then suddenly began. Before I could ask what he meant, he continued, "I was able to decrypt them, but to get full access I created another password, because I figured they must be worth a lot."

Fuck, did he see the content and understand how much the two USBs were worth?

"Thank you." was all I could come up with. A little confused, I tried to read his expression, but he didn't move a single muscle in his face.
"And where is this password?" I asked when I then realized he hadn't told me. Does he want money for it after all? Suddenly Nick held something else up in the air, it was a piece of paper with black writing on it.

"Here." he then said casually and showed me the piece of paper.
"Well, that's settled then," I said, nervousness rising in me but I tried not to let it show. Nick nodded and just as I was about to take a step towards him, he stopped me with his outstretched hand which meant that I should not move. Astonishment paired with fear mixed in me and I stopped perplexed, looking at his hand.

"What?" I hissed impatiently. "I don't have time for these games."
Nick flashed me another grin and then let out a whistling sound. "Ashely Ashely, my dear...I wish I didn't have to do this." he then suddenly said with a deep sigh.

My eyebrows shot up and before I understood what he meant he opened his mouth again, today he must love explanations. "You know, the CIA was nice to offer me a deal so I don't go to jail, really I appreciate it."
I listened intently to what he was getting at and without interruption he continued, "But any deal can be outbid...and how shall I put it...you were clearly outbid." he then told me calmly. His American accent was thick and he literally snarled every word.

"Nick, what the hell does that mean." I hissed out between clenched teeth, my jaw tightened and my eyes flickering.
Did the son of a bitch betray me? But to whom?

I didn't have to wait long for an answer, because a dark figure came out from behind the car Nick was leaning against. When the figure hit the last evening light, which shone in from the windows and thus now became recognizable, I bit my teeth angrily.

"Harry!" I growled threateningly, our eyes met and he grinned, how could it be otherwise, proud and confident of victory.
I hated this conceited and narcissistic bastard like no one else.

"Hello, love." he greeted me with that special glint in his green iris, the setting sun bathed his whole appearance in gold and if I didn't know him or meet him under different circumstances, I would describe him as beautiful.

His cheeky grin almost made me ram the knife which was in my shoe holder into his chest and twist it painfully, so that the only echo in this hall is only that of his pain.
How can it be that Harry always has his fingers in the pie? How does he manage to be everywhere all the time?

Harry now stepped next to Nick and crossed his arms while he shamelessly eyed me from top to bottom. His smirk still present on his pink lips. I felt excitement shoot through my entire body, because the way Harry was looking at me at that moment was unlike anything I usually experience. He did it with such a direct and satisfied attitude that it was really hard to look away from him. But I did.

"You're really fucked Nick you know that?" I huffed as I set my sights on him now. After all, we know everything about him and even have a tracking device attached to him. He can't escape without me finding him.
"I don't think so," he replied simply, without further explanation.
My anger was boiling up inside me and I was really tired of being screwed over by everyone. What kind of world is this?