Chapter Fifteen - Moonlight

"We sniped five of his guys before they could go near your place." Remi states proudly as he walks into my office at four o'clock.

"What?! Why the fuck did you shoot them?!" I snap as I stop writing on the white board.

"Well what were we supposed to do?! Ask them how they're doing?!"

"Remi, we could've questioned them!" I reply in frustration.

He pauses and then grunts. "I'll remember that next time."

"You're filling out the paperwork." I shake my head as I get back to planning.

"I'll just get Devon to do it." He smirks devilishly before taking a seat on the couch. "He's become so good at sniping. You should've seen him!"

"Don't let him hear you otherwise his head won't fit through the door anymore." I chuckle as I finish writing.

Remi laughs before his expression becomes serious. "Navy and Dakota are guarding right now but we need to work fast. He's found out where you live Roman and this isn't good for Blondie, he's gotten too close."

"Stop calling her that." I mutter with a frown. "And I know. I need to relocate her where D.S. won't think of."

"Your parents place?"

"Mom will probably think I'm marrying her or something." I roll my eyes at the thought alone. She's been pushing me to find a girl ever since Ryder and Hunter got married so I don't doubt that she already thinks Elena is the one when I don't even know myself yet.

"Isn't that what's going to happen?"

"Of course, it is!" Mac walks in with a wide smile. "And you're looking at the best man!"

"Shut up you two, we're not even dating." I sigh as I take a seat in the armchair.

"What?! You like her, don't you?" Mac asks as he crosses his arms. I nod my head in response only for him and Remi to make a noise of exasperation. "For a guy that can figure out a situation in seconds you're so dumb! Take Blondie on a date!"

"In case you've forgotten D.S. is after her. I can't exactly take her out on a date!"

"Ever heard of date night at home?" Remi shakes his head with a laugh. "Just plan something. You don't have to go outside every time."

"Yeah..." I trail off as I rack my brain of what I can do.

"You're hopeless!" Remi bursts out laughing.

"Seriously, you've forgotten what romance and dating are ever since we left college." Mac chuckles which makes me roll my eyes with a huff.

"Alright, I'll figure it out. Now, let's get back to work. He's sent a tape this time." I frown as I open my laptop and press play.

We watch as the camera zooms in on Elena walking past a window before she realizes and shuts the blinds. I stiffen at the knowledge that my house and her are now being watched. It makes my blood boil how D.S. is targeting her as his next victim. I need to keep her safe and clearly keeping her locked up in my house is not as secure anymore.

"Fuck, we need to relocate her quickly Roman." Mac pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration.

The entire team is annoyed at D.S. by now because whenever we think we've got him he jumps two steps ahead of us. Just yesterday we caught a lead that he was moving to the west coast and now he's thrown us off again. He has people working for him so it's harder to figure out where he is.

"He's still in Texas because there's no way he'd move elsewhere when his number one target is Elena. I want every sketchy area to be scoped out. Anyone who looks remotely suspicious around my neighborhood I want them to be watched." I state and they nod in agreement. "I'll figure out where to relocate her but in the meantime I'll work half days or from home."

I brief everyone and let them get to work before finishing my duties at the office. After supervising a shooting session with the trainees, I leave so that I can relieve Navy and Dakota from their guarding duties. On the drive back home I manage to come up with an idea for a date night. I head into town to pick up some things I'll need before heading back.

Just as I park the car I get a text from Navy that they're leaving. I give him and Dakota the same briefing before taking the bags and going inside. It's silent and the unusual greeting makes me freeze in fear momentarily. Navy would've told me if something happened, I think to myself. I quickly drop the bags as the door shuts behind me before moving further into the house. Usually Elena has the TV on or some days music will be playing instead.

I feel the tension leave my body when I finally spot her laying on the couch sleeping. She's fine. She's safe, I think to myself with a relieved sigh. I make my way back to the front door and grab the bags, making sure the door is locked and the security system is engaged first. I walk into the kitchen and set them down before deciding to get everything set up for our date tonight.

It's just going to be a simple dinner and a movie but I'm going to set it up in the back garden. Although it's autumn it's not that chilly today. At the back I have a wooden deck that leads up to the side wall of the white shed at the end which I'll be using to project the movie onto. There's a large tree at the back of the shed where I hang some string lights as it's getting dark. I also light some candles in the lanterns my mom had bought me for my garden and it's certainly the first time I'm using them.

I make sure the deck is clean before grabbing the mattress from the bedroom and setting it down on top. Next I take some cushions and blankets from inside and place them on it. I put the coffee table at the side and pile it with snacks and drinks that we can have during the movie. Of course, I don't forget the chocolate for Elena. After making sure the speakers and projector work properly I head inside to get a start on dinner.

I've bought some of the brownies from a local bakery that Elena loves and some ice-cream to go with it. Cutting up some strawberries I leave them in a bowl and put them in the fridge. I'm not the greatest of bakers so I'm winging it like always.

I've decided to cook pan seared sirloin steaks for dinner with a simple sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans and mushrooms. I prep everything so that I can cook while Elena is getting ready. I don't want to be rushing back and forth during our date so we can have dinner first and then the dessert and snacks.

After I've prepped everything and changed into a white sweater and black jeans I make my way over to the couch to find her still sleeping, blissfully unaware. I take a seat beside her and, unable to resist, start peppering kisses to her skin. I hear her hum contently before she opens her warm chocolate brown eyes. She smiles up at me sleepily which makes me lean down and brush my lips against hers softly. I love the way she responds eagerly every time and how her hands clutch at my shirt as she tries to pull me closer.

"Hey sleepyhead." I whisper before taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.

"Hi, did you just get back?" She sighs as she sits up on the couch.

"No, I've been back for a while. I thought I'd let you rest before our date tonight." I can't help but chuckle in amusement as I watch her eyes widen.

"Date?"

"Yes, it's going to be a date night at home but you'll enjoy it. I promise." I reply nervously, hoping that she's not bummed out about the fact that we can't go anywhere.

"What do I wear?" She asks excitedly as I pull her up and guide her to the bedroom.

"Something casual and tell me when you're ready. Don't peek before then, okay?"

"I won't!" She grins as she heads to the wardrobe and I close the door.

I make my way back to the kitchen and get dinner ready. After searing the steaks in a skillet, I pop them in the oven to finish before working on the sides. I mash the potatoes with butter and heavy cream while the green beans are cooking. I get the sauce done next before taking out the steaks to rest. Grabbing some wine and glasses I put them on the deck beside the bed before heading back in.

Just as I pass my bedroom I hear a knock which indicates that Elena is ready. I open the door and my eyes widen at how beautiful she looks. She's wearing a white cami loosely tucked into her blue jeans with lace lining the V-neck. On top of that she has a long baby pink cardigan with flats. Her blonde hair is in loose curls and her makeup is simple with a lipstick and eyeshadow that matches her pink cardigan. I spot a gold necklace and some rings that she wears for jewelry.

"You look gorgeous Lena." I breathe in slight awe as I pull her into my arms.

She blushes fiercely and murmurs a soft thanks. "You look handsome as always."

She's such a cheeky little flirt but I don't mind it one bit. I chuckle and thank her with a peck to her cheek before taking her hand. I guide her to the back garden and open the door. Her jaw drops when she sees the setup before a breath-taking smile blooms across her lips as she steps onto the deck. She wanders over to the mattress and takes a seat as her pretty brown eyes take everything in. I follow and take a seat beside her before she hugs me tightly.

"Rome, this is amazing! Thank you!" She whispers and pulls away.

"I'm glad you like it. Why don't you pick a movie for us to watch and I'll bring dinner?" I ask and watch her nod as I get up.

Thankfully I could install Netflix onto the projector I had bought so I don't need my laptop or phone to connect to it. I make my way back inside and grab the plates and cutlery. She's picked an action movie which I've learned is one of her favorite genres to watch...no surprise there. Her eyes brighten when I hand her the plate before taking a seat beside her under the blanket as the movie starts. I pour us some wine and we dig into the food.

"This is so good, you're such a great cook!" She shakes her head in slight disbelief as she takes another bite which makes me laugh.

"Thank you, darlin." I smile as I take a sip of my drink.

We talk during the movie and although I've come to know some things about her there's a lot more that I find out about Elena. She's always been reckless and loves adventure. In school she was known as the troublemaker. Turns out she didn't know what to study in college and applied for a degree in journalism as a random option but she ended up loving it.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the least favorite child of my parents." She muses with a little smirk. "What about your family?"

"Judah one hundred percent." I chuckle with a shake of my head. "He's the rebel type and has always been a handful even now that he's in his twenties. Whatever my parents tell him not to do he does it anyways."

"We would get along well then!" She winks cheekily as her eyes dart to the screen for a second. "How did you get into the FCAA? Did you go to college too?"

"I studied a policing course in the UK and did a joint honors in psychology. When I came back home after graduation I worked in Houston for a while before the chief assigned me into an FCAA operation as a trainee in the west coast. They were impressed with how I did before transferring me back to Houston and making me lead a new team from there." I explain as I finish my food.

"Is that how you met Mac?"

"No, we went to college together and were both transferred to the west coast. I didn't like him at first but now he's one of the few people I'd trust with my life." I smile as I think back to the day I met him. "Remi, Navy and Morgan joined next and we've all been in the team for a while before the others came along. I'll introduce you to the rest of the team soon. You still have to meet Dakota, Devon, Quincy and Frankie."

"I'm looking forward to it." She smiles softly as she sets her plate down on the side of the bed.

We munch on the snacks and drinks next as we focus on the movie. She starts feeling cold at some point and I tuck her into my side. I can't help the smile that lifts my lips when she cuddles up to me as I throw an arm around her shoulders. The sound of her light and slightly husky laughter echoes in the night every time she finds something funny. Her eyes brighten with emotion as she looks up at me whenever she says something about the movie. Of course, I've noticed all these things about her before but I'm becoming more aware of them now and how much I like it.

Eventually I bring out dessert which she loves. She kisses me sweetly and I swear I'm getting addicted by the day. We watch the rest of the movie and she sighs happily when it ends.

"This was so great Rome, thank you. You spoil me too much." She grins which makes me laugh.

"You deserve to be spoiled." I peck her forehead before taking her hand and pulling her inside the house.

After I've set the dishes in the kitchen I turn to see her staring at me with an emotion I can't decipher. She snaps out of it quickly though and smiles before helping me clean up, much to my protest. We get everything inside in a matter of minutes before I spot her tidying up the kitchen. Chuckling I wrap my arms around her waist from behind and rest my chin on her shoulder.

"It's a date Lena. You don't need to tidy up."

"But you did so much for me! It's the least I can do." She pouts adorably as she turns around in my hold.

Unable to resist I tilt her chin up and press my lips to hers. She melts against me instantly and I smile at her responsiveness. A soft moan escapes her when I nip her bottom lip and she wraps her arms around my neck. I pull her impossibly closer against me while my other hand tangles into her silky blonde hair.

And so, I spend the rest of the night spoiling her even more.

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- R.W. ♡