Jae's Assignment Read Online Free

closed his eyes briefly then immediately snapped them open again. He knew if he kept them closed any longer, he’d fall asleep. He was that exhausted. He had been on the run since the night his office and lab were destroyed in an explosion supposedly caused by a gas leak. It was a lie. His office was one floor above the sports medicine department and there was nothing there that contained gas. He was just thankful there were no injuries to any staff members or patients. This was a nightmare.
    Once again he was a sitting duck, always looking over his shoulder. He’d been doing that for so long he had a permanent stiff neck. Right now he was keeping an eye out for anyone bearing a resemblance to Myers and Jones. At the same time, he was looking for JR whoever that was.
    Crossing the hotel lobby, Trevor blended in with a group of Friday night party seekers as they filled up the jazz lounge located just off the lobby. He found a seat at the bar where he could see the hotel entrance from the mirror behind the bar. He ordered a beer although he knew he shouldn’t. The beer might make him even sleepier. Asking the bartender if he could store his backpack behind the bar for safekeeping while he waited for someone, Trevor was glad when he agreed, then thanked the young man by sliding him a couple of bills
    He watched the bartender fill patrons’ orders and noticed everyone was in a jovial mood. He hadn’t been in a good mood or on a date in a very long time.
    He missed his life…his former life, that is. He remembered the simple things like hanging out with his younger brother, Greer, or listening to his sisters’ incessant talking about everything. But he knew the day would come when his cover as a researcher would end.
    He longed for the person he used to be. He longed for the yesterdays when he and Greer would shoot basketball hoops or watch Godzilla flicks on Saturday afternoons, munching snacks.
    But Trevor also longed for his girlfriend Gina because when he’d traded in his former life to protect his family, he’d lost Gina too.
    He regretted not getting around to telling her that he’d loved her. Stupid fool!
    He was so deep in thought he hadn’t noticed the foam on his beer had started to settle and the bartender was waiting for payment. “Sorry,” he mumbled over the painful knot that formed in his throat. He extracted a few bills from his jacket pocket and gulped his beer down. It didn’t help because the knot of regret remained lodged in his throat.
    Glancing in the mirror behind the bar he saw many more patrons coming into the jazz lounge. There were couples holding hands, two men in business suits exchanging handshakes, and a beautiful African American woman with enough curves to stop traffic. When two men walked in behind her, Trevor caught them openly ogling her derriere and making offensive hand gestures. He hoped neither one of those jerks was his contact.
    In the time it took to set his glass down and glance up into the mirror again, he saw that one of the men who had been behind the beautiful woman was now doubled over, holding his stomach tightly and gasping. Thinking the guy got a sudden upset stomach Trevor was just about to alert the bartender when he caught the innocent smile on the woman’s face as she flexed her right hand.
    Chuckling to himself, he guessed she had punched the guy in the gut. “Good for you, sweetheart,” he murmured as the house lights dimmed in preparation for the live jazz band and the singers.
    It didn’t take long for him to become captivated by the soulful music. The melody was of longing and forgiveness and drew several couples to the dance floor.
    Sadly, he thought the last time he’d danced was with Gina. He loved dancing with her even when they didn’t have music. But that was another lifetime ago.
    He felt like a chump sitting there wondering when his contact would arrive. Impatiently, he glanced up at the mirror again. I don’t need a protector. Hell, he was a