^^Zayn

I spun around in my chair as I thought about the missing girls. I've found out that they were being taken because they were all French or had some French ancestry. Basically, they all understood the language. Matt said that I accomplished everything that he wanted, so my job was done. However, my job wouldn't be done until those girls were safely returned and we stopped more girls from being taken. We need to end the operation before dubbing a mission a success or not.

I decided to go over Matt and contact Zayn and Jade. Ya, they worked for Matt, but they were also my friends. I still found it odd that Matt didn't want the others to know about my assistance on the case. I get keeping stuff confidential in that line of work, but they're my friends and I've worked with them countless times before. You would think that he'd want to keep that relationship going.

Zayn said that he was in Germany, so I told him I'd meet him in Belgium. I began to pack my stuff when Jade responded as well. She was currently in Switzerland and curious why I had to meet in person and not over the phone. I lied and said that I really missed my friends. Jade commented that she had some work to do, but I told her it was fine and I'll meet her another time. I then told Zayn that I'd see him in Belgium. Jade was quiet for a while before typing that she could spare a day in Belgium. I found her phrasing odd, but decided to ignore it for now.

I had my stuff packed and ready to go. Hugo came and carried my bags to the car. I planned on stopping by Lara's office, but she must've gotten word that I was leaving. I smiled at her, but it dropped upon seeing her grief stricken face. I opened my mouth to ask her something, but she cut me off by draping her arms around me. She then squeezed me tight and gripped my arms.

"Lara, what wro-"

"I know I haven't been fully present, but please don't go. I'm sorry. I know the job can be demanding. And I hate that you feel neglected. I'll do better. I promise. Just don't go." She began to hyperventilate.

"Larz, I'm not going anywhere." I smiled and then scrunched my brows. "Well, that's kind of a lie since I'm going somewhere, but I'm not leaving you like that. I'm just meeting up with my friends... in a different country. And that really doesn't make you feel more secure when I say it like that." I awkwardly laughed while she was still sad. "It's literally a friend day trip thingy."

"Oh." She cleared her throat. "Sorry for being dramatic." She tried to chuckle, but her emotions were still raw.

"I'm sorry for scaring you like that. I was honestly heading to your office to tell you that I'll be gone for like 2 days."

"It's completely fine. I just panicked after... last time." Lara trailed off. "Who are you seeing?"

"Just Jade and Zayn. Catch up and stuff." I shrugged. "How's stuff been going on your end?"

"Very overwhelming." She sighed and leaned her back against the wall. "And demanding." She crossed her arms and stared out the window.

"This is the first time you've admitted to be struggling." I stepped closer to her. "Is something wrong?"

"Not necessarily wrong. Just a lot of stuff demanding my attention. And me struggling with how to prioritize stuff and make sure you and my girls are number 1. And I feel like I'm failing and have no idea how to balance anything since I didn't grow up seeing my father care about his family that way. He wasn't concerned with being an involved father or lovey dovey in any way. I have no guidance." Lara sadly looked down.

"Lara, you're doing an amazing job. I've spoken to a few vampires and they love you as they're Queen. They support and respect you. Don't feel like you're not doing a great job because you're doing an exceptional job. I'm really, really proud of you."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up. "You're proud of me?" She shyly asked and blushed.

"Yes." I smiled and snaked my arms around her neck. "I'm so, so proud of my amazing wife." I kissed her.

"Thank you, Mila." She smiled into the kiss. "I almost forgot. How are you with the whole Geneve and Kiki thing? I know those 2 things are keeping you occupied. The staffers tell me that from morning till night, you're tucked away in the office or library searching for information."

"Ya, I'm being kept occupied." I purposely avoided telling her about the mission Matt gave me. "They're hard cases to crack, but I'm cracking away. Actually, I've got to get going." I stepped back and chuckled at her pout. "I'll see you soon."

"I love you." She leaned forward and pressed her lips to mine. "And I'll plan something for us when you return. I promise and I know that I haven't been keeping my promises recently..." Lara sighed as she thought about Zena. "But I won't let you down. You have my word."

"I believe you." I giggled when she peppered my face with kisses. "And I love you more."

"No!" Lara giggled and she held me tight. "I love you more!" She began tickling me.

"False! I love you more." I laughed in her arms. "I really have to go and I'll miss you."

"Safe travels, my love." She kissed me before letting me go. "Tell me how it goes." She gave me a kiss.

I smiled at Lara as I rounded the corner. Hugo was smiling as he sat on a bench. I rolled my eyes and walked past him. Hugo chuckled and sped next to me. He then began making kissing noises, so I playfully shoved him. I noticed a few vampire guards failing to hold in their snickers. Did the whole chateau hear Lara and my exchange?! This is embarrassing. I was blushing when the guards would smirk as I passed them. Jeez.

We finally made it outside and went to the car. Hugo and I hummed along to the music as we drove through the mountains. I kind of dozed off and only woke when the car stopped. We boarded the private jet and flew to Belgium. It was hard to convince the entire security detail not to travel with me, so I had 8 bodyguards on the jet. Lara really overdoes the safety thing.

I showed Hugo a few hand games and had him play them with me for the entire plane ride. I chuckled at him cradling his hands and saying his muscles were now sore. I rolled my eyes and exited the plane to a line of black Escalades. I thought for a moment before turning to my security detail.

"I don't want to feel like I'm being watched. So how about you guys enjoy your 2 days free in Belgium and Hugo accompany me." I motioned for him to follow me.

Hugo stuck his tongue at the other guards, who rolled their eyes. He hopped in the driver seat and gave me a boyish smile. I showed him the destination I needed him to drive me to. Hugo was more than happy to chat the entire drive about the different sites in Belgium. I was fascinated that he had never been here. We pulled up to a local cafe and I told Hugo that I'd call him when I finished and for him to sightsee.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want-"

"Please." I smiled. "I want you to enjoy the trip too."

"Okay!" He smiled and waved before driving off.

I then turned and entered the establishment. I immediately spotted Zayn eating a waffle while chocolate milk was on the table. Well, Belgium is known for their chocolate. I hugged him from behind and chuckled when he jumped. Zayn caught my scent and immediately relaxed. He then turned around to give me a proper hug.

"How are you? I think Jade is running a little late." We sat down. "Oh, and I got you a waffle too. You're so welcome." He smirked.

"Thanks." I ate a piece. "Doing swell. Settling into life as a Queen's wife." I joked. "What about you? Anything exciting going on?"

"Just regular work." He shrugged. "It's different now that Lexi is no longer with us. She was a great help, so we have to revert back to our regular workload. And I'm not used to it." He laughed.

"Ooooh, tell me all about your new and exciting job." I wiggled my brows.

"Mia-"

"Ugh." I playfully groaned. "Gotcha. I'm no longer on the ins." I dramatically sighed. "But I assume everything is going smoothly." I focused on the waffle in my hands and saw Zayn frown out my peripheral.

"Well-"

"Hey, guys!" Jade hugged us. "It's been a while since we've all been together." She sat in front of us. "I've missed this."

"I've missed you guys too." I smiled at her. "And I really missed the waffles." I smirked as I held up my half eaten waffle.

"And the chocolate milk!" Zayn added.

"True. True. Jade, thought you couldn't originally make it. Couldn't stay away, could you?" I smirked while she rolled her eyes.

"More like to keep an eye on the two of you." She smirked.

"Wow, I see how it is." I sipped some chocolate milk. "How's work going though? I've been retired for a bit, so what's changed?" Jade simply shrugged, causing me to change my strategy. "Okay, confidential nation. How's your latest mission going at least? Everything going well?"

"Somewhat." She smirked. "I'm getting everything done on my end."

"So Zayn is the one holding it up." I joked while he scoffed in mock offense. "What's troubling you, Zaynie."

"Having a tough time on stuff." He grumbled.

"Like what? I've been so bored at the chateau. Let me help. Please!" I squeezed my eyes shut and playfully begged.

"Well-"

"No." Jade spoke. "We can't get you involved since you're no longer part of the organization. Also, Zayn and I are working on the same case, but aren't working together." Zayn rolled his eyes while Jade spoke. "So no talk about the mission. It's deemed way over our heads." She sternly spoke.

"She's right." Zayn wiggled his brows.

"Hey, it was worth a shot." I laughed. "So tell me what's new in your lives."

I spent the next few hours catching up with them. It was around 10pm, so I decided to call it a night. I told them I walked here and was heading back to my hotel. Jade and Zayn nodded before leaving in their respective directions. I walked three blocks before turning left and heading back in the direction of the cafe. It didn't take long for me to spot Zayn casually leaning against a building while smoking. When he spotted me, he threw the cigarette to the ground and stomped it out. He then signaled the direction for us to walk in.

Zayn and I avoided cameras and tried to be in their blind spots. After a few minutes, we arrived at an apartment building. He unlocked the door and had me enter first. I then followed him to his unit. We didn't speak until we entered the area.

"What are you thinking?" I asked Zayn.

"Jade has been working closely with Matt. Meaning she knows more about the investigation than she's letting on." He paused. "What do you-"

"Missing girls that are being trafficked. Matt didn't go into much detail, but he doesn't want me communicating with either of you. And he took me off the case a few days ago when I made the connection of them being French." I then smirked. "I am the one who came up with the shipping connection."

"I knew it." Zayn snickered. "Everyone overlooked it and Matt wouldn't tell me who figured it out. I didn't think he did, but he took the credit since he couldn't disclose the person. I suspected you, but didn't have confirmation especially with you being 'retired'."

"When did Jade and Matt get so close?" I questioned.

"It wasn't like that until recently. We were working on the case and Jade had a hunch about something. She said she'd tell me after she ran her theory by Matt. And the moment after speaking with him, she changed 180. Jade began to firmly stick to the whole confidential thing. Jade found something and Matt doesn't want it getting out. And they don't even trust me with knowing whatever it is. And I know that valuable piece of information ties to the case. So I've been trying to figure out what the hell Jade figured out."

"You have your computer?" He nodded and directed it to me. "Okay, hackathon. Let's see what you can do."

Zayn grabbed one of his old computers while I used his high tech one. I searched through his confidential files for anything I could use. I felt my phone buzz, so I looked to see Lara sending me an I love you message. I smiled and gave it a heart. I then went back to the task at hand and sorted through the many documents.

X

Zayn handed me an energy drink since it was past 3am. I chugged the Monster drink and tossed it in the can. Zayn stretched and cracked his neck. We then went back to rapidly typing. Zayn shared his screen for me to see if anything caught my eye. I shook my head and turned away, but then something jogged my memory.

I grabbed his computer and stared at the name of an electronics company. I scrunched my brows before searching Marfret and Asendia. I knew they were both French companies, but I wanted to see the parent company: Bleu Blanc Rouge. Or essentially, the company that oversaw all these subsidiaries. Zayn arched a brow at what I was typing, but I shrugged and went back to my work. Zayn also shrugged before hacking something else.

A thought then occurred to me. I wanted to see all subsidiaries under the parent company. As I searched, my eyes widened and my mouth fell agape. I glanced to see Zayn busy with reading something, so I subtly erased the information from the computer chip.

"Zayn, I'm tired and need to sleep." I faked a yawn.

"Same." He laughed and stood. "Nice seeing you again. Let's do this again."

"Definitely." I hugged him. "Later, Zayn." I waved before leaving the building.

I made sure I had walked far from his apartment before fear captured me. I took a deep breath before pulling out my phone. I dialed the person's number and waited until they finally picked up.

Hello?

Matt, we need to talk.