I wait, patiently, for his verdict.
                          
Please say yes, please.
                          
However, he is interrupted by a vibration and a low ring tone from his pocket. He simply puts a hand into his suit and brings out his high-tech new phone.
                          
"Dog?" he answers, clearly a code name for one of his own, "Swing back around then... yes, she is... yes, she does," Dale looks at me as he says these things, his eyes sparkling because he knows I have no idea what he is referring to, "Alyssa and I will join. Make it quick, ladies," Dale hangs up and puts his phone back in his pocket, "Put on your clothes, kitten," he takes a step back, allowing me room to walk my way back to my outfit which was still on the floor.
                          
"Really?" I ask. I can't contain my grin as I skip around the couch.
                          
"Yes, you can come with us on the streets, hey," he scolds me as I roughly pick up my clothes, "Give them to me."
                          
I turn and as he approaches, fast, I simply hold out my outfit.
                          
"What?" I ask, offended.
                          
"Lift your arms," he says, snatching the clothes from my outstretched hands, "So careless, kitten... I will dress you before you rip the material to useless shreds."
                          
"Oh... thanks?" I raise my arms and I watch him stretch out the tube top so it doesn't touch my hands nor my braid as he brings it down.
                          
"Next," he murmurs, helping me into the black ripped jeans, "Diamond Spy... welcome to the Gang of Shadows," he steps back once I'm dressed and looks me up and down, "I'll advise you as we go and I only have one rule, sweety," he raises a brow.
                          
"Don't disobey, ever," I guess, quickly.
                          
"A smart kitten, indeed," Dale looks like he is ready to leave with me, however he clearly pauses and decides to approach me instead. He reaches out a hand, slowly running it across my face and back into my hair. He repositions my braid so it is more comfortable and tugs on it a bit, "How does it feel... to have never had a hand on you... the way I can handle you?"
                          
I bite my bottom lip, trying to remember to breathe.
                          
"Honestly," I whisper, "It's... it's... ah...comforting."
                          
I wanted to say amazing.
                          
But I was too much of a pussy.
                          
Dale's eyes seem to read me too well and he knows I feel uncomfortable answering his question. I could only assume he'd use it against me in future.
                          
"Let's go, kitten," he decides to dismiss the topic for now.
                          
I am grateful, so I nod and I follow.
                          
****
                          
STRIKE picks us up from the carpark. I'm sitting in the back with Serge and Dale. Jose is driving, Ace is wiggling his eyebrows at me from the rear view mirror.
                          
"Excited?" Ace asks while stroking his sniper.
                          
No; I don't mean anything sexual by that. He was just literally stroking his gun. Damn it –
                          
"The Five Reds are guarding the perimeter unexpectedly," Serge interrupts, glaring at Ace and speaking with a monotone. Any moment, and he'd shock him without warning. Ace just rolls his eyes.
                          
"What's the situation look like from my satellite?" Dale asks.
                          
"Too smoky to tell. There was a fire next door," Jose explains, "What we think is the Five Reds aren't expecting us. We think there is a rogue group of kids looking to steal the vaccines and sell them separately."