Raven

Chapter 15 - The Last Light

It doesn't normally end like this. Normally, I'll go find Raven a new job somewhere, Wisty will lock herself away to discover some new technology, Lola will get sucked back into her private life, and Hardison will go traveling. Then as soon as I find a new client, everyone is back at HQ the next morning and we start all over again.

This time was different. I realised our mission had ended but instead of running off somewhere getting the team some kind of break, I found myself completely distressed for the security of Raven. As the head of our little incorporation I needed to ensure a safe environment for all my employees. Being hunted down is something I hope will never happen. I never completely announced that the Williams job was over. Wisty understood and stayed in the HQ running her own tests to see if her equipment wasn't faulty. It never is. Lola changed so much over this job that she barely showed up to HQ anymore. I thought she'd been sucked back into her private life. That life had ended though.

Lola had been going off with Matthew for the past couple of days. When she texted me that she was engaged to him, well, that's when I truly felt that I had lost her. I remember that first day we met, she'd seemed so young. I had no idea what she was capable of. Her dad had wanted me to take a job but he was a scoundrel on so many different levels and so I said no. But I did notice his daughter. She spent her free time in nightclubs seducing young gentlemen for their money. It was sneaky and dangerous, my style of business. I found out she spoke like a dozen different languages and had this sexy way with guys. She soon joined Raven not soon after I asked her.

I couldn't really imagine Lola Harrison being engaged. It's just not how she rolls. But I guess she found her soulmate. I don't think she'd stay in Raven much longer. Probably run off to some exotic island in the middle of no where. Maybe her seducing days were over. I find that hard to believe.

On the other hand, Hardison had become insane. The Williams job definitely changed her. She found out about her sister and she was already planning to find her and become reunited. She didn't see the dangers in this little excursion however because she was too madly in love with the idea of finding someone she'd lost for 9 years and counting.

I knew she had a sister. I kept this from Hardison to prevent the very thought of Raven being in danger. I find it strange that Hardison didn't go ask around about her family. I did. It was too easy. I suppose she didn't know there was someone else to ask about.

But we let her go. Like a parent watching their child go to university or getting married but not as intense of course. I sat on the roof of our HQ. This spot had been my favourite before I found Hardison sitting on the other side, deep in thought or gazing at the stars wondering if there was anything else to this life. I thought to give her privacy and started going elsewhere. But not today.

The sun began to sink in the warm summer breeze. In the distance was Hardison walking away. From us, from her normal life, from the people she had become attached to. Her scarlet hair battered in the wind. She seemed excited. I knew she was terrified. I'm glad she let James go with her. The muscular silhouette glistened in the last light besides her. The only thing that connected them was the joining of their fingers. Entwined tightly. Both probably thinking to protect the other. My eyes strained to watch the last glimpse of them, bonded and inseparable.

As they disappeared into the descending sun, I thought to myself, will it end like this?