My Worst Enemy

Chapter 13.-

Andryse glanced at the young man standing next to her and tried to control the loud sigh coming out of her. Mario Cross was a very attractive man in his early thirties, with a lot of charm, generally in a good mood and very good at his job. Not once had she regretted to have him on her side. She was always amazed that he had agreed to it at first, knowing that he had no interest at all in her endeavor. Her father wasn't a threat to him and he certainly had nothing to keep him from leaving it all behind.

From what she knew of his past, he was probably the sanest amongst them with a very clear head on his shoulders. He had a pretty normal childhood and had a very laudatory career in the Army, making him one of the best around and she had to admit that she trusted him and his infallible instincts. And it took her some time to realize that the whole reason why he had ever agreed to join them was because he had a serious crush on Shelly and was following her around like a horny little dog.

And she knew as well that her death had been hard on him just as much as the rest of them. But she couldn't help but wonder what exactly was next for their collaboration, knowing that she needed him and his incomparable skills more than ever. So, when he announced that he wouldn't find peace until he killed Jack with his own hands, Andryse had breathed easier, thanking her good luck charm for still keeping him in her camp.

"Are you sure?" her voice sounded rather quiet and her eyes turned into slits, looking around at the people sitting around the camp, talking or partaking in many different activities. Children were screaming and running around, making it all look like any peaceful and friendly gathering. "Couldn't it be one of the guys?"

"No one knew about it." Mario answered as quietly as she did, contradicting with their stressed features. His eyes flung on the black haired girl standing next to him and he exhaled, running a hand in his military style haircut. "You have to do something about it Andryse. People here are starting to get shaky by his presence. They don't want him here."

Andryse ran a hand on her forehead as if to impede the incoming headache and rolled her neck on her shoulders. Maybe she should have stayed hidden at her grandmothers after all. Not able to look at her father without wanting to kill him for allowing the death of her friend, she had moved to her grandmothers and had practically stayed in bed for all the time she spent there.

Keeping her phone off, only getting up to go to Shelly's grave, she had taken all the time she needed to mourn her friend and say her goodbyes. She still felt the same pain eating her insides thinking about the tragic way her friend had passed away but she was stronger now, understanding that her life didn't stop with Shelly's and that she still had to carry on with her projects.

"Why would he go out in the middle of the night Andryse?" Mario asked her with a nervous voice. "Where did he go and who was he meeting with?" he watched Andryse's forehead fill with pensive frowns and continued. "His wound is healed now, what is he still doing here?"

"Did you ask him?" Andryse asked sharply, feeling a little unnerved.

"Yeah." Mario nodded and looked away. "He said that you were the boss and that he only answers to you."

She scoffed and threw her aching head back, her voice coming out with a taint of sarcasm. "He said that didn't he?"

"Look, I know you said that you allowed him to stay here to keep him alive just like these other people, but we both know that you lied." Andryse's eyes shaded a dark look that she sent to the man standing next to her and he quickly raised his hand before she could say her mind. "I have sparred with him many times Andryse and he had spent all of his time training the young men. I can assure you, that he doesn't need your protection."

Andryse bit her lip and looked away, wishing that Troy had kept his abilities to himself instead of displaying them like that. Besides Ryan and his wife, no one else in the camp knew who he was and it was what she was betting on. But she closed her eyes, cursing silently when the next words crossed her friend's lips.

"Adeline told us the truth about who he is and why he's here and that's why people are antsy about him." Mario took a deep breath and buried his hands in his pockets out of frustration. "They are scared that Patron will find out about this place in his quest to find him. They are scared for their lives and don't want him here."

He stopped to run a hand in his hair, puffing air out. "I know that you believe that you're doing the right thing but be careful Andryse. This man is a professional and he is dangerous. I haven't told anyone else about the time I saw him leave the camp but I'm telling you: Don't trust him."

The words were said quietly but Andryse couldn't help but feel her heart ache. All this time spent away, she had many times thought about him and wondered how he was managing with his wound, living with a bunch of people he didn't know or could barely have a conversation with for not speaking their language. She had been tempted to call many times but had refused to let her heart get trapped into having any sorts of feelings for him. They had decided to take things slow after all, so slow she forced herself to go. Although she had secretly looked forward to coming back here and seeing him. But to learn that he had gone on a mysterious date in the middle of the night and to hear that she shouldn't trust him were the wake up call she needed. Mario was right. She needed to fix this and send him back home.

"Reassure everyone." she said with a commanding tone, keeping her feelings in check. "I would never put anyone in any danger."

"We know that you wouldn't do it purposely." Mario agreed again before looking for her eyes. "But I'm not only worried about us Andryse."

The young girl sent him a wary look and he lowered his voice. "I saw the way you guys were around each other when you were still here three weeks ago. He may be a sweet talker and knows how to flirt with you but I will put my hand in fire that he is hiding something. You might want to protect your heart too and find out what it is he's hiding before you bring him into your bed."

Andryse's jaw ticked as anger got a hold of her. "I appreciate the advice but it is none of your business whom I bring into my bed."

"I'm your friend and I'm just telling you like it is." Mario shrugged with disdain, ignoring her cold voice. "Don't trust him."

"I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself." she replied with her voice even colder than before. "I know what I'm doing."

"For your sake and our own… I really wish you do." Mario replied quietly before walking away. "We T-off in thirty."

Andryse exhaled as she watched her friend walk away, his head low. She closed her eyes for a quick second before pulling up her shoulders and headed to the training station located a few miles off the camp where Ryan told her Troy was. She walked with a fast step between the large clearing, letting the fresh air lift her hair and run on her skin and breathed deeply, happy to get the quietness of the mountains back and away from all the commotion she had to face while in the city.

Her black boot soles were making a slight noise as she stepped on some twigs and they reminded her of the last time she'd been there, in the middle of the woods, crying her eyes out. Her heart twitched again, remembering how gentle Troy was with her on that day to finally kiss her with such passion, she had trembled like a leaf. But she shook the aching memory away, quickening her pace.

The setting sun was sending its last beautiful rays over the trees and as far as she could see, there was just a beautiful mix of colors pleasuring her gaze. She looked at the sky, watching the cloud swift by slowly, seeming to disappear at any moment under the threat of the light of day, diminishing rapidly. She liked being here, in the nature, far from violence, drugs and hate. And if it was up to her, she'd stay there for ever and never go back to the city. But she couldn't risk it and knew that every single minute of her being there was counted.

She heard the loud sound of a gun being fired and the flight of a few birds, bothered by the noise and she raised her eyes to see a group of four men standing around the one she was looking for. Once again, she couldn't help to feel her heart become heavy, beating irregularly against her chest, seeing his lean frame that made his muscles appear even bulgier than she remembered. His face was a shade darker from probably being exposed to the sun for the past month he's been living here and framed by his sandy hair that he had obviously let grown excessively and was covering his ears. But even with the bushy mop, everything about him was beautifully sculpted.

Even when he seemed very focused on keeping the gun straight in his hand and his mouth was moving to explain his point the group attentively listening to the man who was translating for him, he was irrefutably one the most beautiful male specimens she has had the chance to meet. Or bad luck at this point, she thought sourly, standing a few meters from all the men who were all oblivious to her presence.

She put her hands in her pockets, popping her right hip on the side, patiently waiting for him to finish with his lesson and her eyes traveled to his arm flexing, his biceps hard and strong and his finger caressing the trigger of the gun before he pressed on the metal, ready to release the bullet. Those same fingers that were holding the instrument of death, were the same ones that soothed out her pain when she was crying, the same ones that ran on her skin when he was caressing her in his hotel room and those same damn fingers she wanted to press her lips on so badly.

The sound of the bullet being fired brought her back and she ignored the swirling of her stomach to watch where it would land and frowned when after a long time, she finally heard the impact on a tree that was at least more than a hundred feet away and she smiled, remembering that his file said that he was also trained as a sniper during his time in the army. Well, at least, he proved that this bit information about him was true.

What else was true and what was false about Troy Colt?

Her eyes went back to the man in front of her, a mass of mystery as he stood tall. She clapped at the same rhythm the other men were, congratulating him on his shot. She had expected him to gloat but much to her surprise, he just shrugged and still without a smile, showed a part of the gun to the men who, after listening to the translator, bobbed their heads back to him, laughing.

She kept on clapping her hands very loudly, wanting to get their attention and she closed the distance when all eyes turned on her. The big and warm smile he gave her made her heart falter again and she forced herself to turn her stare away from his face to salute the other men greeting her, conscious that his eyes didn't leave her even for one minute.

"All right gentlemen. That'll be all for today."

Andryse heard his calm voice and turned around to face the wooden table on which many guns were displayed for practice. She lifted a Colt auto semi with shiny silver metal running on the side and slowly ran her finger on the patterns. She distractingly opened the cylinder, noticing that only three bullets were left inside and closed it back sharply, unaware that everyone had walked away, leaving her alone with Troy.

"Hello boss."

Andryse held her breath as a long shiver ran down her body and her heart unrepentantly started beating at an accelerated rhythm. She silently scolded herself for reacting this way to a simple voice and slowly turned around to hold her breath when her eyes met up with the baby blue eyes looking at her with a light shimmer.

Her lips parted ever so slowly and her eyes stayed buried on his, feeling like he had just hypnotized her. A voice inside her head was screaming for her to move or at least say something to get her out of there before she did something she would regret, like jumping on him to kiss him senseless but she just stood there, lost in his eyes.

"Welcome back." her eyes finally set free to travel this time on his lips that had let his soft, throaty voice escape and she watched them move as he spoke again. "I missed you."

Troy smiled when he caught her eyes looking at his lips and he unconsciously darted his tongue out to moist them, letting his bottom lip slide in between his teeth. He really had no intention on turning his charm on her but it seemed to him that he never really had to make any efforts with her. She always, in no matter what circumstances they were, made his heart beat hard and he always found himself naturally flirting with her. He took a step forward, his eyes admiring how generously the black top hugged her chest and the pants her waist, with a black belt low on her hips.

He was amused, realizing that she always dressed all in black when she switched to her hardcore persona and immediately noted her hair that was loose on her back, instead of the usual ponytail. He felt his fingers itch when she tilted her head up, seductively making the waves of curls dance on her shoulders and he bit his bottom lip, not to touch her and bring her hot body against his.

His skin was burning, suddenly feeling very hot but he knew that it had nothing to do with the ardent heat that he had gotten used to during the last month he's been living in the camp. All his muscles involuntarily bent, feeling her stare travel from the many ripples on his toned stomach that showed through his tight sweaty shirt, to lower down on the front of his pants and he couldn't help to feel a flood of blood make his member twitch, seeing the slow smile stretch her red, plumped lips.

He wasn't lying; he really missed her. Three whole weeks since she had disappeared and it felt like forever to him. And it wasn't only because she was practically the only one he could talk to with ninety percent of the people living there not speaking English, but he missed looking at her round beautiful face, the dimple in her chin that he wanted to caress so badly, her cheeks that seemed so smooth, begging to be touched. The memory of her body against his that haunted his dreams and took his sleep away. He could remember how pure the sound of her laughter was that made her eyes twinkle but he wanted to see them darken with passion for him and her damn lips that never missed to drive him crazy.

"I really... missed you."

He whispered again with sincerity, licking his lips again when he remembered the sweet taste of her kiss. He took a step forward, his body dangerously getting close to hers. He heard the unmistakable sound of her sharp breathing and leaned his head on the side, his eyes shifting from her lips to the base of her neck where he could see the rapid jerking of her pulse quickening. What he would give to be able to put his lips there and count her heartbeats with his tongue on her skin!

'Shit, that wasn't supposed to happen.' Andryse thought within herself, remembering coming to ask him the exact reason why he was still there with them and where he went on the night of his escapade. Not that she was expecting the truth from him but at least, let him know that she was unto him. But most certainly not feeling being so lost at words and strangely excited and turned on by the fact that he confessed missing her. Even though she would never confess to such a thing herself.

Andryse let out what she hoped was a snicker, deciding to play along, curious to know where exactly they could bring their flirt to and swallowed, shaking her heavy mane on her back. "Did you, now? Why didn't you call me then?"

He mirrored her smile and moved his other foot to get even closer to her. "I don't have a phone."

"Ryan, Mario and practically every other person in the camp has one." she retorted with one raised brow.

"Was I allowed to call?"

"I never read you as someone who waits for permission." she quipped, her body completely aware of his getting closer and closer as her insides curled achingly.

"Maybe you should learn to read me some more." he said with a smile, raising his hand to slide his fingers very gently on her left arm, feeling his heart ready to explode when he saw the line of goosebumps he left on her skin. "I can be a very open book when needed."

The butterflies in her stomach intensified when his hand switched from her elbow to rest on her waist before going to her back and made a light pull to bring her body in contact with his. She swallowed her breath when she put both her hands on his chest. She recalled how good and strong his body felt against her and she slowly ran her palms across the hard muscles of his chest.

"Duly noted." she whispered, her eyes following her hand sliding over his broad shoulders.

"Why didn't you call me?" he asked, leaning his head slightly on the side, his breath hitching, anticipating feeling her lips on his.

"You don't have a phone." she answered smartly with a smile and wondered if he could hear her heart that was hammering loudly or feel her body lightly trembling.

"Ryan, Mario and every other man here has one." his other hand sneaked under her hair, caressing the back of her neck while the other one brought her lower body to connect with his. She too, caressed the back of his neck at the same time and they shared the long shiver traveling from one body to the other, that made their skins wrinkle.

"Was I allowed to call?" she mumbled with a hitched breath when his lips made one with hers.

Troy first captured her lower lip between his, wanting to drag out the sweet feeling getting a hold of him but his lips stayed puckered as he lowered down, looking for her lips when she got away from him and turned around. His lips landed on her hair and he opened up his eyes, surprised at her unwarned move.

"Your hair smells divine but I do prefer the taste of your lips." he said with a joking tone, both his hands going around her waist to bring her back against him.

Andryse closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, trying to bring her breathing back to a normal pace and cursing herself for being so weak. Mario's words resounded in her mind not to trust him and she quickly picked up the gun again, getting herself out of his embrace and pointed at a tree located far away. She needed to hold on to something to be able to resist him and regain control of herself.

Troy sighed but removed his hands on her, understanding that he shouldn't push her. His eyes studied her stressed features trying to understand what had happened. Of course he remembered her wanting to take things slow but wasn't he even allowed to kiss her? This time, it was his turn to watch in silence while she fired the gun and a heavy silence followed the loud shout of the bullet.

"Impressive." Troy chimed after the sound of a branch fell on the floor. "Can you shoot the big branch over there?" he took a step forward, making their bodies connect again and put his hand on hers despite the rigidness he felt in her.

"Which one?" Andryse whispered, feeling her skin burn against his tender touch.

Without an answer, he directed her hand in his and his finger on top of hers pressed the trigger with her, his chest touching her back and his face next to the top of her hair. A couple of seconds went by that seemed very long to Andryse who was trying to ignore his hot breath against her hair before a big branch, way on top of a tree located at the same distance he shot with the guys earlier, fell down.

"That one." he murmured, still holding her hand in his.

Andryse smiled and brought her hand down, that he however, did not let go off. "How can you reach a target that far?"

"It's easy." Troy brought her hand up again but this time, his other hand on her hip brought her completely to rest against him and put his mouth near her ear. He couldn't help to smile a little when he felt her shiver, clearly holding her breath again and his thumb grazed her own. "Do you know which one you want shoot?"

Andryse bit her lip when his deep voice got in her head, making her feel light headed and fought with herself not to turn around and let him finally kiss her. She took a deep breath and just nodded, too scared that her words would give away the turmoil he's woken up inside of her.

"Which one is it?"

She scratched her throat. "Same tree you hit, big branch on the left side, pointing at eleven o'clock."

"Got it." he answered immediately, his fingers moving to completely cover hers.

"But that's impossible." she shook her head. "It's moving too much under the wind and there's not enough light now."

"No, it's easy." he answered with the same quiet and soulful voice, his mouth near her ear. "The wind just tells you the strength to apply on the trigger. Look at your target." he removed his eyes from the branch and turned his stare on her.

Wanting a better look of her, his free hand swiped her hair on the side, letting the tips of his fingers slowly tickle the bed of little hair on the back of her neck, making her suck a little bit of air through her teeth that made him stretch a little more in his pants. Fixating on a vein beating up rapidly on the side of her neck, Troy felt himself pulled towards it and didn't resist his desire to kiss it.

"Go with the rhythm." he whispered with his voice clouded by desire while his lips sewed soft kisses on her skin. "Feel it, sway with it, become one with it and anticipate its next move. Can you feel it?"

"Yes." Andryse strangled when his tongue went out to lick the shell of her ear.

Troy opened his eyes momentarily, to look at the branch slowly swaying in the wind to secure his shot, before closing them again and his hand on her waist sneaked under her shirt to touch her belly, his fingers slowly sketching the round curves of her hollow navel. He relinquished in the light gasp she let out and rubbed his aching member against her ass, making both their fingers press on the trigger.

"Then let it fill you, take control and just… let go."

Andryse gasped loudly when his lips captured her sweet spot, nibbling on her skin, as if he always knew where it was and she barely heard the bullet leave the chamber and the branch make a loud cracking noise, falling to the ground before she closed her eyes, finally succumbing into his embrace. The gun fell loudly on the table when they let it go and she threw her hand on the back of his head, feeling drunk by the softness and thickness of his hair between her fingers.

She unwillingly arched her back into him, feeling his hardness press against her and mewled when his agile fingers traveled along her toned stomach to slowly graze the skin underneath her bra while his thumb caressed the side the of her breasts. She quickly grabbed his hands to remove them from her chest but he grabbed her ass cheeks instead before sliding to her thighs, squeezing her into oblivion.

Her mind quickly lost the battle against passion, surrendering itself to his biting and sucking at her neck that became slightly harder and harder by the minute and his hands that went back up to her chest, this time cupping her fully. She threw her head back feeling all her insides melting up under the burning desire and head spinning pleasure, swallowing her heavy breathing.

"Troy…" she suffered weakly. "I'm not sup… ah!"

Recognizing her shout being one of pleasure instead of pain, Troy brought his lips to her earlobe and nibbled on the sensitive skin, making her pant even louder while sliding his fingers under her bra to come in full contact with her round breasts.

"Andryse." He whispered her name lovingly, letting his warm breath brush her skin. "You have no idea how long I've wanted for you to come back."

"That's not taking it slow." she managed to say in between two breaths and yelped when he spun her around and his face came a few inches to hers.

"Let's forget about taking it slow. " he said eagerly, hugging her tightly. "Let's start over, let's… just be."

Andryse's heart beat faster and she swallowed her breath again, getting lost once again in his deep passionate stare. "You think we can...?"

"Andryse, we need you back at the camp."

They both turned their heads simultaneously at the sharp, cold voice to see Mario standing a few meters from them, arms crossed around the chest and a reproaching look on his face. Troy didn't understand what he said for him having talked in their native language, but he immediately felt Andryse stiffen in his arms again and a gate lifted in her eyes, bringing a hard look back on her face.

He wasn't sure if her sudden anger was directed at him for suddenly realizing what he was asking her or at the man who called her so harshly preventing them to finish their little talk. But he knew to step back and let go of her, his hands falling down. He watched her fix her hair around her shoulders before walking away. He puffed out the heavy and frustrated air contracting his chest and leaned on the table, silently cursing at Mario.

"Troy." He snapped his head up when she called him with a strong voice and straightened up. He frowned when he read nervousness and uncertainty in her twitching fingers and gave her his full attention. She looked deep in thought before she started talking very fast. "My father has a ship coming in tonight and we're gonna... kinda raid it. We're leaving soon… if you want to join and help."

A smiled lifted the corners of his lips, feeling glad that she asked him to be part of their expedition but expected her to take her offer back when Mario spoke to her again but she kept her eyes straight on him, waiting for his answer and completely ignoring the other man. He smiled again seeing all the anger shown on Mario's face, grabbed two guns and ammunition from the table and walked side by side with her, heading back to the camp.

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