Free The Keeper: Alexa LeGardien by Kaytie Reade

the gun, because I won’t be using it. I am not killing anyone. I did not sign up for that.” She took a deep breath and continued, “Leeman said this would be easy.”
    “Oh, Miss LeGardien, this is easy. Shall we?” Davidson asked.
    Matt put out his smoke reluctantly and followed behind as they entered yet another limo. He shook his head. This was not where he imagined he would be. At all. His job, he thought, his interesting, well-paying job. He had meant to tell Alexa about that, but the timing just wasn’t ever right. But this was where he was now. He had agreed to this. He had to be there for her. He couldn’t just leave her at such a confusing time. He hated that he felt he was lying to her every time he pushed the needed discussion further in time.
    “You know, Matt, you don’t have to come.”
    “But I do,” he countered. “Who’s going to keep you from getting in trouble? And we are friends.”
    “The bestest.”
    “How cute,” Davidson cut in, clearly not the least bit interested in their chat. “Shall we get on the move?”
    Matt’s hand glided to the middle of her back before he had a chance to stop himself. He was glad that she didn’t seem to notice. He let go as soon as they entered the limo.
    “The suspense is more than a little annoying. We know basically everything about this artefact—where it was made, who made it, what it’s made of—except what it does. Today’s the day, so you might as well just tell us.”
    The sound emitting from his phone disrupted her thoughts once again. This made it the fourth time it had rung during the ride to the party. Yup, Alexa had been counting. She couldn’t help it. “You should probably put that on silent,” she noted, hiding her slight frustration. “Who’s been calling you anyway?”
    He shrugged before offering up a half smile.
    “Ah, the ex. Am I right?”
    He looked at her, but didn’t reply.
    “What was her name again? Christina?” she poked.
    “Sorry for the constant ringing. She just won’t let up.”
    His phone rang again; its blinking screen was still very visible. “Here, let me.” Alexa stretched out her hand and Matt dropped his phone in it warily.
    “What are you going to do?”
    She smiled as she answered the phone, waiting to hear the voice on the other end.
    “Matty. And here I thought you were ignoring me.”
    “Oh, he was,” Alexa responded, trying her best to hide a sharp snicker.
    There was a pause on the other line and Alexa had to stifle a rising chuckle. Matt mouthed you’re crazy, and she replied with a wink.
    Christina finally spoke again. “Um, who’s this?”
    “This would be his . . . wife , you bitch. Call this number again and you’d be dead in the literal sense, I promise.” She cut the call before Christina could find something else to say.
    “Wow, that was . . . My wife?”
    “Why, yes, Mr Michaels.” She let out a small laugh and shook her head. “Oh, my god. I can’t believe I just did that. That was crazy.”
    “Yeah, it sort of was.”
    She handed him back his phone. “Crazy awesome, though.”
    He hesitated briefly before speaking, “I’ll have to take your word on it.”
    “That’s enough talk,” Davidson said, ending the friendly chatter going on. “We are here,” he announced.
    “Okay. Remember, Matt. You distract and warn me in case of—”
    “I remember, I remember. You can always count on me.”
    “Right. Of course. I know that.”
    “Is your earpiece in place?”
    She quickly ran her ran around her right ear to make sure. She had totally forgotten about that, but thankfully, it was in place. “Yeah, everything’s good. I have the earpiece on, I have the taser strapped to my leg, away from the public’s wandering eyes, and other things . . . Everything’s in place. I crammed the blueprint. Trust me, I remember it like I remember the lyrics to Nine Inch Nails’ Hurt . I’m good.” She tried putting on a brave front for both Matt and Davidson. “I’m