58 Do I need to Pull Rank?

The following morning, in the wake of the previous evening's chaos, Rayven woke from her bed with a headache.

Soundlessly she sat in front of her mirror and began to apply her makeup and contacts. She was so lost in her morning routine she didn't hear Cage enter the room.

Cage stood by the door frame watching her slender form in the mirror. Her silhouette was so delicate to hold such an imposing personality. He had seen so many facets to her personality that each and every time he thought he had her figured out she would do something that totally proved him wrong.

It was only in front of Hunter that she was truly genuine, that she behaved as one would expect a girl who was only 19.

Last night was the first time he had ever seen her cry and now infront of him, she remained completely calm. In the space of a few hours she had clearly buried those feelings deep inside of her.

It left Cage feeling conflicted. A part of him wanted to shake her and make her feel the things she ought to, the things she kept buried and away from others. The other part of him wanted to shelter her from those things which would hurt her. He was very suddenly beginning to understand that protective feeling which had taken root in his friend.

The sunlight spilling in through the window wrapped itself around her, cloaking her in its warm as she completed her task of applying the make up. Rayven completed her make up for the morning and piling her hair atop her head turned to Cage, she was wearing a black tank top and torn up jeans, the make up only served to accent the designs of the tattoos which now marked her skin.

In the glow of the sunlight as she met his gaze, she was stunning. Cage had to steal himself. This was his brother's woman. Clearing his throat as he turned away he muttered softly to her.

"We should get going. The boss will be pissed if we're late."

With that Cage turned his back on her and any feelings he felt stirring within. She belonged to Hunter. He wouldn't interfere in that, Hunter could protect her as a lover. He would forever view her as a sister. With that, his conscience would remain clear and he could continue to serve his brother as he wanted to. In the meantime, he had to put distance between them, and the best way to do that would be to get her back to Hunter's side.

Rayven watched Cage's back as he left the cabin, his words had seemed strangely cold but she shook it off. She had bigger worries. How would she face Hunter after this evening? The recollection of the night before made her flush as she picked up her helmet and headed to her bike.

Cage cleared his throat as he mounted her bike. He would need her cooperation for what was planning next. The only way to force them together was to make Hunter jealous enough to pursue Rayven. In order to do this, Cage was going to pull out all the stops.

"Whatever I do today, play along and follow my lead, got it?"

Rayven tilted her head looking at him and nodded. "Got it."

She didn't know why but she suddenly trusted Cage implicitly.

What followed next was a very quiet ride to the warehouse as Cage began to formulate his plan. No one knew Hunter better than he did. A smile began to curve his lips beneath as his helmet. He had to admit, it had been a long time since he had a chance to play with his older brother in this way, today was definitely going to be interesting.

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In the meantime back at the warehouse Hunter was pacing his office. What the hell was taking them so long? His mind was already in shambles after Rayven had turned him down last night. Thoughts of winning her back keeping him awake all night. Now the later they took to get there, the more he began to worry.

What were they doing? Was she okay? No, no. She had to be fine. She was with Cage. There was no one he trusted more. Everything would be alright right?Was he simply just being too impatient to see her?

It wasn't long before his impatience paid off and he saw her enter the warehouse, Cage in tow, his arm draped affectionately around her shoulder. He watched as Cage whispered something in her ear before pressing a kiss to her forehead before walking away. Ravyven in the meanwhile headed toward the practice yard to spar.

Hunter was livid. Cage had assured him they were only friends but what he had just witnessed was definitely more than friendship. His brother was getting a little friendly with his woman. The worst part was, he could do nothing about it. Not without ruining her cover. He would just have to win her over all over again. At least if he did, it would make her story more believable.

It was time to put his plan into motion.

"Cage!!" Hunter barked into the lower floors of the warehouse "My office, now!"

It was all Cage could do to suppress his laughter, in meantime he schooled his features and with an air of innocence he made his way to Hunter's office.

"Boss?" he said pulling the door to the office shut behind him.

Hunter was doing his best to maintain composure. Clearing his throat he looked to the man he had known for years and stifled his feelings of anger.

"I'm reassigning you temporarily, I have a delicate mission and you are the person capable of completing it." He said as he slid a folder across the desk to Hunter.

Cage looked at the folder in front of him assessing the contents. Furrowing his brows he looked at his boss with mock confusion and tilted his head.

"No problem, but I mean, it's a little too dangerous for me to bring Rayven around right? I mean she's a top notch assassin and all but I can't see Ren taking it very lightly to have her traipsing around when we have her here for protection? What do we do about her?"

Hunter cleared his throat and mumbled, as nonchalantly as he could.

"I will be taking over guard duty in your absence. We can't leave this to the younger members. They aren't qualified to protect her against the caliber of men we are hiding her from."

Serioulsy? Cage stared at his boss and had to pause for a moment. It was just too funny. He was sending him away from her, so he could be close to her?!

After a moment's pause he decided to push the act a little further, just for laughs.

"Are you sure? I mean, she is kind of used to me hanging around." He paused a moment glancing at the information in front of him. 'I mean, I just feel bad leaving her behind. And she's not very familiar with you yet. Couldn't we just put kid brother on this?"

"Kid brother?" Hunter asked, confused.

"Charlie boy. He seems rather adept and after Luke's death he could probably use a distraction from his absence…"

Hunter was narrowing his eyes listening to Cage, in all the time they had served together and worked together, Cage had never once second guessed his orders or questioned him. What the hell was going on.

"Absolutely not. He is already working on something for me, and this is top priority. Or do you have a problem with the order?"

Unbelievable!! How the hell did it come to this? He had never once had to pull rank before and he was getting very close to it now. Wasn't his brother getting a little close to his woman, had he forgotten who she was? He was so confused.

"No, no. Let me just go say goodbye and fill her in."

Hunter was at the end of his rope. Having finally lost patience he looked at Cage and very sternly spoke.

"No time, get your gear. You need to leave immediately."

Cage feigned reluctance. "Boss?"

"You heard me, don't make me pull rank."

Cage flinched. "Got it boss. See you in a few days."

After he had left Hunter dropped to his seat. Was he really going to fight his brother for a woman? Were they really that close that Cage refused to leave her? He thought back to the previous night. Was that why she had rejected him?

Angrily he shoved the papers off his desk, sending the contents flying to the floor. What the bloody hell was going on?!

Hunter stood at the window overlooking the yard and watched her spar. She was beating the hell out of one of the trainees. He smirked. He needed to blow off some steam anyway, so why not engage her in a spar.