Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(107)

“That’s my girl,” he said kissing her again before glancing at the clock, “We need to go.”

“Alright.”

Shea loaded the truck up as Elli got in. They headed over to the airfield, and watched as everyone hugged and kissed their families. He was dreading going since he was going to be lonely for the next six weeks, with Jakob being out for that long. When he was asked if he wanted a new roommate, he said hell no, Jakob was his roommate, he didn’t want no one else, even if it was going to be lonely as hell.

Shea popped the trunk and got out as Elli did the same, getting his bags. One of the crew members came over, getting Shea’s bag, leaving him and Elli to say goodbye. It was so cold outside, winter being in full swing, so he wrapped his arms around Elli, holding her close to him, not only for her heat but because he wasn’t going to see her for another two weeks. He wasn’t even going to be able to spend Thanksgiving with anyone he loved. He had a game that night.

Elli nuzzled her nose into the middle of his chest, moving her face back and forth, that’s when he noticed she was crying.

“Oh no, no tears Elli, I can’t do it this time around.” She looked up at him with a watery smile.

“I’m gonna miss you so much, I just hate that you have to leave for so long again,” she cried as she nuzzled her nose back into the stuffing of his jacket.

“I know baby, but it’s just another two weeks, then I’ll be home.”

“Yeah, but then you leave for another week.”

“Yes, but you are coming down that week, we are going to be fine babe,” he said with a grin, putting his fingers under her chin, moving it up so she would look at him with them beautiful green eyes. “I’ll miss you.”

Elli gave him a small smile, sniffing before saying, “I’ll miss you more.”

“I’ll call every chance I get, are you going to keep my bed warm?”

“I am,” she said as red dusted her cheeks, he didn’t know if it was because she was cold or if she was embarrassed but he loved the color all the same.

“Good,” he said as someone called for him to come on, he looked over at the plane and noticed no one was there, everyone had already boarded, and families were making their way back to their cars. He didn’t even notice; something that always happened when he was wrapped up in Elli’s arms.

“You gotta go,” she said as big tears rolled down her cheeks, “Be safe, come home in one piece, alright?”

“I will, remember don’t replace me,” he said with a wink before kissing her laughing mouth. He kissed her twice more before pulling away, and backing away from her. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but she already knew, and he didn’t want to put her on the spot, making her feel like she had to say it back.

When she blew him a kiss as the tears rolled down her cheeks, the words fell flew out of his mouth, “I love you, Elli, bye.”

She put her hand over her mouth, but didn’t say anything as he turned walking towards the plane. He hated leaving her, he did, but he hated that she didn’t love him more.





When Shea’s plane landed, he had finally finished Pride and Prejudice, the book Elli had given him so long ago, and he knew what he wanted to do for her birthday. While waiting for the crew to load the bus up with everyone’s bags, he dialed Grace’s number.

“Hey, you land already?” she asked when she answered.

“We did, I figured out what I want to do for Elli’s birthday.”

“Okay? Why do I feel I’m about to get pissed?”

Shea laughed because she was probably going to get pissed but he didn’t care, it was the profession she chose, and it wasn’t his fault she was his twin. It also wasn’t his fault that she had to do anything he ask, and vice versa. He went on with the theme he wanted, and she didn’t say anything for about a minute after he got done talking.

“When’s her birthday?” she asked.

“December 17th.”

“So you want me to take us back to the 19th century in a little over a month?”

He nodded, even though she couldn’t see him as he said, “Yes.”

“Are you f*cking crazy! How the hell am I gonna pull that off? I would have to send the invites out next week just to see how many people RSVP! Then where am I going to have it at? Places are filling up because of Christmas parties! You’re positively crazy!-” and on she went, complaining about how she wasn’t gonna be able to pull this off as he rode the bus to the hotel.

When he had enough he said, “You can do it, Grace, I know you can. You have access to my account. I don’t care how much it costs, just make it happen. Invite all her friends from Facebook, invite the team, I’ll contact her family, this is gonna be amazing, and when it’s all said and done, I’ll make sure you get all the credit.”

“Damn right I will and I’m gonna charge you an arm and leg!”

He laughed before saying, “You can have all my limbs as long as this is the best birthday Elli has ever had.”





Chapter 21


“He’s driving me bat shit crazy Elli, I don’t even understand how a grown man can bitch and moan as much as Jakob does!” Harper complained as they sat in Elli’s office, waiting for a walk-in or their next appointment to come in.