Read Agent E2: Aidan (Superhero Romance) (The D.I.R.E. Agency) for Free Online Page A

office to the electronics store. The forecast called for a clear, hot evening with virtually no breeze.
    So, why did thunder rumble in the distance?
    Tristan checked the chamber of his Beretta 9mm before shoving it in the back waistband of his jeans. “At least we won’t have to contend with Naylor’s agents.”
    Aidan nodded as he zipped up the backpack that contained the laptop. “If these are the sons of bitches that killed my father, I’m going to light ‘em up.”
    Mitchell said, “Monroe, it’s imperative the buyers do not get away with the computer.” He shook his head. “I still don’t understand why they want the files on a laptop and not a flash drive. Nevertheless, Monroe, I want you to show them the file, close the computer, and ask for the gold. Once the exchange has been made, Tristan will meet them at the door, cloaked.”
    Mitchell glanced back and forth between them. “Short and sweet. I want them alive.”
    Aidan gritted his teeth. That’s easy to ask from someone that hadn’t had his father killed by these bastards. After all he had put Jim through since high school, Aidan felt he owed this to his father.
    Tristan went to stand in the middle of the room. “You ready, Monroe?”
    Nodding, Aidan approached his best friend, his movements slowing with each step. “There’s no freaking way I’m hugging you, Jacobs.”
    Grinning, Tristan turned his back to him. “Better suck it in, then. We’re traveling back to back.”
    “Wait. I thought you could only teleport by wrapping your arms around the other person.”
    Tristan shook his head. “I never said that.”
    “Wait. You teleported Rachel…”
    “You’re the one that shoved her into my arms at the church.”
     
    “You sonovabitch.” Aidan cursed under his breath as he pressed his back against Tristan. They locked forearms.
    Tristan laughed. “It wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun teleporting her this way.”
    Aidan grumbled. “You suck, Jacobs.”
    Tristan scanned his forefinger over the screen on his armband. “Let’s go kick some ass, Monroe. For your father.”
     
    Memories bombarded Aidan as soon as they landed inside the store. The once immaculate, minimalistic store sat littered with dust and spider webs, empty display cases and racks scattered throughout in haphazard fashion. By the looks of things, the place had been given more than one onceover by the authorities. The sight pissed off Aidan royally.
    He’d spent many days cleaning the store after school and working the register during summer breaks. His father had run a neat and tidy ship.
    Jim Monroe would have a fit if he saw it now.
    Aidan wished he could. Just once.
    Lightning lit up the windows before thunder rattled the panes. Drawing their guns, they made their way into the back storeroom. Turning on the white light on his armband, Aidan looked around the messy space cluttered with cardboard boxes and wooden crates.
    Lightning struck outside the store. The scent of burning wood clogged the air.
    “What the hell?...”
    Rushing to the back loading area, he and Tristan looked out a tiny window in the side door. A tree had caught fire in the field behind the store. A second later, rain fell in droves, quickly dousing it.
    “Where did this come from?” Aidan said.
    Lightning hit again in the same spot. Its tail punctured the ground over and over, like a sewing-machine needle. Deafening thunder roared without ceasing, rattling the metal doors and building.
    “Holy shit, Jacobs…”
    A bright light lit up the stormy sky. Aidan squinted against its dazzling radiance. A gray, bell-shaped craft flashed into the alley. Standing ten feet high or so, it had no windows, no doors, no identifying marks, only thousands of tiny lights illuminating the rim.
    Aidan’s heart pounded like someone banged a fist against his chest from the inside. “Are you seeing this, Jacobs?”
    “Yes.”
    Rain dripped off the edge of the store’s roof. A low whir sounded in the now