Page 48 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

She walked into BlackWater HQ, half limping from the damn pain in her leg. Max was right beside her. They’d sent everyone else home. She hadn’t been in the main office in a while, she realised, though it was exactly the same. Unaltered. Unchanged.

They got the lift, standing in silence as it climbed up to the top floor.

“Don’t we need a special pass for this level?” Max asked as they stepped out.

“I have clearance.” Maddie said waving her badge and the barrier opened as Max stood wide eyed.

“How?” He asked.

“Cole has an office up here.” She said and then paused realising what she was insinuating. “I used to work in Brandon’s team too remember.”

“Right.” He said still smirking anyways and she rolled her eyes.

They walked down the corridor, Max letting Maddie lead as she evidently knew the way and she waved her pass to open the Briefing Room door.

It felt like everyone in the room turned. Maddie narrowed her eyes, taking in all the new faces, all the new people. Damn, his team had really expanded.

Doug wasn’t there.

Neither was Becky.

And Brandon was clearly missing too.

“Who the fuck are you?” Someone said.

“That’s Maddie Cooper.” Someone half whispered and Maddie couldn’t help it she smirked then.

“Fuck off. That’s Maddie Cooper?” Someone else said as they walked into the room.

“Wow, this is quite the welcome.” Maddie said.

“As in…” Someone began.

“Yeah, the same girl.” Someone else whispered.

“Bulletproof.” A guy behind her stated.

“Where’s Brandon?” She asked loudly, annoyed that everyone was clearly happy to talk about her but no one seemed to have the balls to talk to her.

“He’s on his way.” The guy up front said and she nodded.

And then they both just stood there waiting while everyone watched them like they were bombs waiting to go off.

“This is more than a little awkward.” Max muttered and she laughed.

“Isn’t it just?” She said back.

“Maddie Fucking Cooper.” Brandon said shaking his head as he walked in and she smirked.

“Brandon.” She said back seeing as everyone started watching the pair of them like they were expecting some kind of show, some kind of performance.

“Why do you look like you just came from the gym and more importantly what the fuck were you doing at our target’s residence?” He asked.

“You mean my informant.” She snapped back.

“What?” He said screwing his face up.

“You heard.” She replied. “Dani is my informant. She called me. She thought she was being attacked. That’s why I look I’ve just come from the gym. Because I have.”

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