Lockout (The Alpha Group 2)

CHAPTER ONE

The morning after fleeing the hotel I woke, bleary eyed and exhausted, to the sound of my phone buzzing in my purse. When I'd finally found my way home it had been well after midnight and in spite of everything that had happened, I'd passed out almost instantly. A quick look at the clock told me I'd overslept.

I slipped my phone from my bag just as the ringing stopped.

12 missed calls.

I didn't even have to look at the caller ID. There was only one person who had any reason to ring that many times. I was vaguely surprised that Sebastian was so frantic. I'd figured that since the game was up, he'd admit defeat and take the opportunity to slink away quietly, but for some reason he seemed intent on fighting it out.

A night's sleep had done little to temper my anger. I hate being lied to. A tiny part of me thought that perhaps I'd overreacted, that I should have given him a chance to explain, but my past mistakes were constantly looming in my mind. I'd seen signs before and I'd turned a blind eye. I wouldn't fall into that trap again.

The phone started ringing again before I even made it to the shower. Flicking it to silent, I shoved it into my purse. I figured if I ignored him for long enough he'd eventually get the message. But I was wrong. As I was trotting out the door, I felt it vibrating against my side. And again, three minutes later, in the taxi. Twelve calls became twenty.

There was only so much I could take.

"What?" I said, answering gruffly.

"Sophia, thank god. I've been calling all morning."

"Really? I hadn't noticed."

"I didn't know what else to do. What the hell happened to you? Why did you run off?" He sounded breathless and there was a faint crack running through his voice that I'd never heard before.

"What do you care? You got what you wanted. And judging by that text message, you don't need me anymore."

"Text messa... oh Christ. Why were you looking through my phone?"

"I wasn't. I got up to get a drink and it went off behind me. Bad luck for you, hey? You nearly got away with it."

"Listen, it's not what you think—"

"Save it. Look, Sebastian, this whole thing was a mistake. I should have trusted my gut to begin with. I need you to stop calling. This is my work number and I can't have you tying up the line all day." It was a lie, but a believable one.

"Please, if you just let me come and see you for five minutes I can explain." If I didn't know better I'd have said he almost sounded desperate. It was nearly enough. Even through the phone I could feel him pulling at me like gravity. The desire to see him again was almost overpowering. But I closed my eyes and steeled myself.

"So you can sweet talk me again? No thanks. I'm done listening to your lies. Say hi to her for me."

"But, Sophia—"

"Goodbye."

I mashed the end call button with more vehemence than necessary. I half expected him to ring back again, but the phone remained silent.

I should have felt happy, or at least relieved, but instead I just found myself second guessing my decision. It didn't make any sense. I barely knew Sebastian. I should have been able to cut him free without breaking a sweat. But try as I might, I couldn't ignore the strange sense of loss that was forming like a grey puddle in my stomach.

As the cab pulled up to my office, I did my best to compose myself. I couldn't afford to be distracted today. After my day off, I knew my inbox would be dangerously full, and it was going to take at least an hour just to sort through.

The rest of the morning was a blur of meetings, telephone calls, and emails. Immersed in work, Sebastian gradually slipped to the back of my mind. He was still there, like a niggling splinter, but I managed to ignore him and focus on the task at hand.

It was the sort of day that seems like it will never quite end. Calls streamed in one after the other, partners who wanted information tracked down or clients needing documents drafted. My original day's work fell to the wayside as I madly attempted to juggle the new requests that were flowing in faster than I could deal with them.

It was hectic, but I have to admit there's a certain thrill to be had when you're under the gun like that. The higher the pressure, the more I enjoy my job. It's an art balancing so many tasks at once, and it's an art I excel at.

By the time the dust began to settle, it was ten o'clock. Somehow, I'd finished everything that needed doing. My stomach rumbled as I stepped out onto the street, reminding me exactly how long ago my last meal had been. There hadn't been time for such trivial things as dinner.

After wolfing down a Pad Thai from a nearby restaurant, I flopped into a cab and headed home. As the afternoon's adrenaline began to fade, I realised how wiped out I was. My fitful night's sleep and twelve hour day were catching up with me, and I still ached in several places from Sebastian's games.

Sebastian.

He hadn't called again. I didn't know if I was pleased or frustrated by that. Knowing the effect he had on me, it was probably for the best. Who knew what other lies he might have spun if given the chance. This way I could put him out of my mind and focus on what was important.

However, when the car pulled up outside my house, that plan promptly went to shit. Standing on the front porch, looking as breathtaking as ever, was the man himself.

I cursed under my breath. He couldn't have chosen a worse time. My hormones put me at enough of a disadvantage when talking to him without adding tiredness to the equation. But there was no way to avoid him now.

"Sophia," he said, as I stepped out onto the footpath. His usual look of serene confidence was gone, replaced by something darker and more drawn.

"What are you doing here, Sebastian? It's ten thirty at night."

"You said not to call, and I didn't want to upset you any more."

"So, what, you've just been waiting for me to get home?"

He nodded.

"How long have you been standing there?"

He shrugged. "I'm not sure. A few hours. It's not important. I wanted to speak to you."

It was a strangely touching gesture. But my resolve held. "Well, I don't want to speak to you."

I took a step towards my door, but he slid in front of me, blocking my path. "Five minutes, Sophia. That's all I ask. Hear me out, and if you don't believe me, I'll leave you alone forever."

I knew from past experience how persistent he was. He wouldn't give up until I did as he wanted. I sighed. "Fine. Get on with it."

He nodded. "Thank you. Look, I'm sorry you saw what you saw, and I completely understand why you reacted the way you did. But I promise I haven't told any lies."