The Code Between Us

Chapter Three

Ava's pov

I need to leave this place now. I don't care where I go, I just need to get out of here. My base has been compromised and it is only a matter of time.

I had recorded my system, set up strong firewalls, and shut it down completely. I would have loved a new laptop and monitor but they were freaking expensive, besides these are my babies. We had been through a lot together.

I packed some clothes, my laptop, and headphones, and dashed out of the house.

I guess it's time to go into hiding but I would need a place to crash for the night.

I moved through the city of Chicago which now felt deserted. It was past midnight and everyone was in the comfort of their homes, except me. I walked through an alley, down to the deepest part of the city.

I once roamed these streets and I knew them like the back of my hand.

I got to a building which was hidden in the alley. It had an iron door. I knocked on it. The next minute, the spy hole was pushed open.

"Name.."

"It's me, Take, Ava?" I reminded him.

"Ava?"

I nodded in confirmation. He closed the spy hole and I heard the door unlock. Take rushed out and pulled me into a bear hug. He was a tall muscular man and anyone who saw him would be scared of him automatically but in reality, he was a big baby.

I giggled as he hugged me tight.

"Oh Ava, it is good to see you again. I thought you would never come back again."

Take did not let go of me until I tapped his back repeatedly.

"Alright, alright, you are crushing me." I laughed though my heart wasn't in it.

He pulled back, studying me with his warm brown eyes that always looked out of place for a man his size, "You look like hell, Ava."

"Gee, thanks. Nice to know my fashion sense is still appreciated."

He smirked but his expression hardened, "What's wrong? Why are you here at this hour?"

I sighed and pushed past him into the dimly lit interior of the hideout. The air smelled of metal, grease, and stale food.

Typical Take.

"My base got compromised," I muttered as I dropped my bag on the couch that looked like it was picked from the dumpster. "I don't know how long I have got before they trace me."

Take frozen, "they? Who are they?"

I hesitated, chewing on my lips. I hated to admit that I was weak, especially in my own game.

"Ethan Thompson."

The name left Take spoke. He was the only one who knew my secret, "the billionaire tech god? Are you telling me your cat and mouse game has gotten to a point where he is coming after you?"

"It wasn't intentional." I said quickly but my tone betrayed me, "But yeah, he found me."

Take whistle low, "Damn, Ava. Why do you always love poking the hornet's nest? I swear you are insane."

"I didn't plan for this to happen," I shot back. I was genuinely scared of what Ethan would do and I was taking it out on Take.

I calmed myself down, "Sorry about that. Look, I just need a place to crash for the night and figure out my next move."

Take rubbed the back of his neck, "you know I would do anything for you but if he's got eyes on you….Ava, you could bring a death sentence to my doorstep."

Hearing that….. it stung. I knew this wasn't wrong but I just felt somehow hearing it from the only person I had called family.

I won't stay then…." I muttered as I grabbed my bag, "forget I ever came here."

Before he could argue, the faint buzz of electricity filled the room and the lights flickered. A chill ran down my spine.

Take's eyes widened, "Ava…."

"He is here…" I whispered, already moving towards the entrance.

I bolted for the back exit with my heart pounding like a drum. My laptop bag bounced against my hips. Every step I took, I felt like I was in Ethan's digital shadow.

He must have used the street security to track me down, after I had shut down my device.

Fuck, why did I underestimate him?

The alley outside was dark and the air melted like rain and sand mixed. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, slipping through the narrow passages only a street person would know. My lungs burned with hesitation but I kept going.

I couldn't let him catch me.

Burst out into the empty street which was illuminated by the street light. I looked back but there was no one.

"Phew, I guess I lost him."

That's when I heard it–a low hum of an engine and I froze. A sleek black cat rolled up, its headlight cutting through the darkness, blinding me for a moment.

I pressed myself against the wall as I prayed he would pass but he didn't.

The car stopped, the driver's door opened and there he was.

The man of my nightmares.

"Ava," he said smoothly, like we were old friends who met by chance, "going somewhere?"

"Go to hell," I snapped, even though my voice wavered a bit.

He chuckled, slow and deliberate, "You have made me chase you for two years. Did you really think I wouldn't find you if you disappeared again?'

"I don't care, you don't own me, and no matter the amount of money you have, you can't make me do anything." I hissed.

"No," he admitted, tilting his head slightly, "but you made a mistake of dragging me into your cat and mouse game."

"Get over it, you won already. Just let me be."

He smiled, "nah, I don't think I can. I need you, remember?"

"You are insane," I whispered.

"He shrugged, "perhaps but you are brilliant, Ava. No one had ever made me this……curious."

I tightened the grip on my bag as I learned my escape route, "If you think, I would work for you….."

"You don't have a choice."

Before I could run, he grabbed me and yanked me into his car and drove off.