by Jaci Wheeler
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Aria
“Hope, I seriously thought I was toast. I mean it was so freaking scary, but exhilarating all at once.”
“Yeah, yeah, you almost died, I get it. Now can we go over that make out sesh with the hot guy again?”
“Man. Hot man,” Tali adds. “He is no boy, after all.”
“Very true, Tali girl, very true,” Hope adds, bobbing her head up and down.
I roll my eyes!
“Seriously girls, after everything I tell you, that’s the part you are focused on?”
“Yep,” they say in unison and then laugh.
“Seriously, we are glad you are okay, though. It almost makes being a field agent sound fun…almost,” Hope says without thinking and Tali's face falls. She hurries and stands up.
“Well ladies, this has been fun, but it’s time for me to head home. Glad you made it back safe, Ari,” she says, giving me a quick hug and then is out like there’s a fire on her tail.
I glare at Hope.
“Seriously, Hope?”
“What? I didn’t mean it like that. I wasn’t thinking.”
I sit down next to her.
“I know, I just feel horrible for Tali. Do you know what she’s decided to do?” I ask.
"Nope, she won’t tell anyone and she’s being very secretive about it all. I mean I don’t blame her.”
“So she’s not going to support? I thought for sure that’s where she’d end up.”
Hope shrugs her shoulders.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t seen her but that doesn’t always mean anything; there are different branches.” I sigh, feeling bad for my poor friend. I can’t imagine not making field agent now that I’m on the team.
"Back to Spencer. So on a scale of one to ten, how good of a kisser was he?” Hope asks.
I throw my pillow at her face, but can’t help the smile that takes over mine.
***
After my first mission with the Elite team, we get more and more. The newness wears off, and so does the excitement since it’s like breathing now. My skills are honed and my strength is tested. I train with Travis whenever I can and I am on my laptop writing code and staying up to date on my hacking skills, all in the name of God and country of course.
I’ve learned to go on very little sleep and combat naps have become my friend. Speaking of friends, I haven’t seen mine for a long time. Hayden gives me updates on Cam and a few others, but as soon as I’m done with one mission, it seems like they throw me back out on another, which is where I’m headed at the moment. I’m on my way to the airstrip when I’m stopped by my father.
“Aria, one minute please.” He motions me into his office.
“I’m on my way to a mission, Dad. I’ve got to go.” I try nicely brushing him off but the pointed look he is giving me puts a stop to that and I quickly follow him in.
“This is about your mission.”
“It is? Why isn’t Spencer here?”
“Because, Aria, you are over his clearance code now…or at least you will be soon once you execute this mission.”
I perk up instantly. He’s never said anything about a raise in clearance to me before. Neither has Spence, who I can’t imagine will be pleased by this new development. As if reading my mind, Edward follows up with, “This is between us, Aria. If you can pull off the side mission I give you, then you will have the highest clearance in the Academy. But that comes with a lot of responsibility. Do you think you are ready for it?”
“Of course I am,” I answer without hesitation. This pleases my father who smiles broadly and awkwardly pats my shoulder.
“Good, good. I never had a doubt. Now we don’t have much time, so you need to quickly memorize the contents of this file. Your side mission is confidential and needs to be pulled off without raising any suspicion among the other Elite members.”
This is an odd request; one I find isn’t sitting well with me and I know it plays out all over my face.
“This isn’t unusual, Aria. Estevan used to have side missions all the time, but I need to know I can trust you with this first. Once you successfully pass this, you will be given more.”
“Yes, sir.” Part of me is suspicious of this, but I’m too excited by the promise of a new thrill. I’ve become an adrenaline junkie and this is perfect timing to get something extra, that is until I open the file and my stomach drops. I look up to my father in shock.
“A termination?” I ask in disbelief. He sets that disapproving stare of his on me.
“Is that going to be a problem?” he challenges.
“No, sir,” I say, feeling dread inch up my spine. I stand and take one last look at the folder, making sure I have it all memorized. I shut it and hand it back to him.
“I better be going.”
“Good luck.”
“With enough skill, you don’t need luck.” I repeat the phrase he has told me my entire life and his smile widens as I leave his office.
I’m more reserved than usual on the way down to our latest mission and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the other members. Travis is the only one brave enough to question me and he does so without words, just the raise of his eyebrows. I nod once to him that I am fine and that’s all he needs to settle back in and shut his eyes.
While everyone else around me catches combat naps, I am wide awake and going over the specs of the file in my mind’s eye. I run through the blueprints, I time out exactly how long I have and how long I’ll need. There is no room for any slip-ups, especially when I’m going in alone and under the radar.
I close my eyes and bring forth the contents of the file I memorized before boarding. It isn’t too complicated for which I’m extremely grateful.
According to the file, my mark’s office window is in the building directly across from the security room I’ll be in for the actual mission. Coincidence? I think not. Part of me wonders if this mission is bogus and the true one is to see if I can pull the trigger. I’m to hack into the mainframe and secure the building.
Once everything is secure and my team is out, I will set the video feed on a loop and then exit myself. This will give me ample time to set up my scope and take out the target while everyone else is making their way outside. I let out an uneasy breath, knowing nothing about this mission is going to be easy.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Aria
I finish running the specs for the last time when the wheels touch the ground.
No one blinks an eye when I grab my assault rifle and tripod and shove them into my bag. Being the team’s best sharpshooter, I am always the first to clear the building and the last to enter or leave.
Part of me wonders if this was my father’s plan all along. Integrate me into the top squad and nobody would be the wiser when I become his private assassin. I admonish myself quickly for my dark thoughts. Edward might be cold, but he isn’t a monster. Everything he does is to keep our country safe, even if his methods might not be exactly kosher.
“You ready to lock and load, Ari girl?” Travis asks me as we deplane.
“Aren’t I always?”
He walks past me and ruffles my head with his paw-like hand and smiles as he makes his way through the terminal. Ritz silently comes up on me, taking his place.
“You’re off.” It isn’t a question and I have to bite back the lie. She will see through any denial and she’s much too sharp to put off so I nod once.
“I am.”
She waits for an explanation and when I don’t give her one she narrows her eyes.
“Get it together. There’s no room for mistakes so you better find your game and bring it,” she snaps at me and walks off.
I take a deep breath and do what I do best: compartmentalize. I shove everything in its neat little internal box and I put my game face on. Just the assassin comes forward; the young woman who is scared and unsure of her path and decisions is nowhere to be seen. I stride past Ritz and join the others cool as a cucumber. She gives me a smirk and
half-nods as we continue to the waiting van.
Once we all pile into the van, we hurry and don our uniforms. I quickly change into my janitorial uniform while Spence does the same. Nix takes her bag of tricks and makes her way to the top of the next building over to keep an eye on everything. Travis and Vic are quickly jumping into their painter's coveralls and within minutes we are all off in our own direction, everyone checking in on comms.
“Eagle is in place. Little Bird?” Spence asks over comms.
“I’ve got eyes on and you are all good to go,” Nix answers.
“Black Bird?”
“Eyes on my target now. Ready to engage,” Ritz replies.
“Prepare to engage. Hawk needs fifteen minutes in the lab and no less. Hawk?”
“I’m in. Start the clock now.”
“Dove, are you in place?” I silently laugh at the purity in my call sign even though I feel as though I’m backstabbing them all.
“I’ve just secured the room and am putting all monitors on loop now,” I say as I look down at the two bodies on the floor and pray they don’t wake anytime soon. The fewer the causalities today, the better.
As soon as everyone has checked in and the loop is up, I jump up and assemble my rifle as quickly as humanly possible. I then look through the scope, making sure I can’t be seen by friendly eyes or otherwise. Luckily Nix is watching the other side of the building, so I quickly open the window and set my sight on the office in the building directly across from mine. There he is, my target, sitting at his desk completely unaware.
Before I can allow guilt or doubt to fill my mind, I set my scope and click everything into place with a flick of my wrist. I am at home, the rifle and I are one. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, finding the wind. I adjust as needed and then my eyes pop open.
“Item retrieved. Making my way to rendezvous point.” Vic’s voice comes over through the comms. Crap, he is five minutes early. I have no time to process or think I take a deep breath and slow down my heart rate. I’m in tune with the pumping of blood, the intake of breaths and, in between beats, I slowly roll the trigger. A double shot, clean and precise. He goes down and I take only a quick second to confirm. I switch out comms as I break down my rifle.
“Home base, this is Shadow. Target is down.”
“Mission complete.”
“Switching comms, Shadow out.”
I rip the comm out of my ear and stash it in my bag. I quickly make my way to the monitors, start the backup loop, and make my way to the rendezvous point as if I didn’t just end another’s life.
The entire flight back I act like it was any other mission. I force myself to sleep so that nobody can see the murder in my eyes or the guilt in my shaking hands. As soon as the wheels hit the runway, I hurry off the plane and go to my room.
As soon as I’m behind closed doors, I throw myself at the toilet and lose the contents of my stomach. After I’m done, I lay on the bathroom floor and sob for the life I took without reason. I cry for the soiled dove, and the path I just willingly took. I let myself feel, I let myself grieve. I give myself until the dawn. Once the sun rises, so will the assassin, cold-hearted and with a job to do.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Aria, one year later
Before I know it, a year has flown by and I am the top-rated agent at the Academy. My father says it with pride, but I feel nothing but dirty. I went from being a part of a team, the top elite mission squad, to being daddy's personal assassin.
Even Hayden isn't always aware of my assignments. I tell myself that I am keeping people safe at night in order to justify the killings. If I’m protecting innocents, then why do I feel so guilty? I've been able to turn off that side of my brain, but the conscience is a tricky thing.
It rears its ugly head at the most unfortunate times. Like now, for instance, while I'm on a solo op. It's not Hayden in my ear. No, I'm not that lucky. Instead, I have daddy dearest. And instead of a drug lord or a sex trafficking leader, my target is a middle-aged mother of two.
"Is the target in sight?" Edward comes through my comms.
I take a deep breath and wipe the sweat off my brow. I test the wind; it's the perfect day for an assassination. Right in the middle of the park during a family picnic sits my target, Pamela Hughson. I try to tell myself that she's one of the bad guys, that she is just putting on some kind of façade, but I can't do it. I was taught to read people, to know when they are lying and when they are faking. They called me the human lie detector at the Academy because I can always smell a mole. Pamela Hughson is not a bad guy. If I had to guess, I'd say she's a good guy with too much information.
"No."
"Target is not in sight? Shadow confirm."
I sigh. This is not going to go over well.
"Negative. Target is in sight, but the operation has been terminated." I brace myself for my father’s wrath and I don't have to wait long.
"Eliminate the target now, Shadow. That is a direct order."
"Negative. Shadow out." I rip the comm from my ear and wipe the sweat from my brow. I've never said no to him before. I've always been the good little assassin. I breathe, count my heartbeats, and pull the trigger. It's what I've done for the past year. Then I go home and throw up, shower, sleep, and do it all again. So why couldn't I do it this time?
This is the first time in my life I have no clue how Edward is going to react. How will he handle my insubordination? This isn't just a small hacking job; it is me straight out defying orders. Will he have the woman killed anyway?
Of course. So why can't I do it? Because you aren't a murderer, a small voice says. You bring evil to justice, but you do not kill the innocent. You are not a man for hire. I chant this to myself over and over as I make my way back. I'm not even two steps onto the Academy’s property when I see five armed guards waiting for me. I can't help the laughter that spills out.
"Aria, please follow us this way."
What a joke. Edward is using this little escort service as an intimidation factor. He knows good and well I could take care of every last one of these men and not even break a sweat. This is nothing but a power play to show me who is in charge.
It does nothing but spark the fire deep within me. I use it to fuel me. I refuse to back down on this, I refuse to let him intimidate me. There’s nothing else he can take from me. He's taken my team, my friends, my innocence, and Van. If he wants my life, so be it. But I'm the most valuable asset he has and he knows it.
One of the trained monkeys knocks on his door and waits for permission to enter. He holds the door for me to enter and closes it directly behind me. I walk right up to Edward’s desk and look right into his eyes, showing that I refuse to back down. I don't say a word, knowing he won't stay silent for long.
"How dare you!" he bellows. "How dare you go against a direct order from the director of this organization. When I tell you to eliminate a target, you eliminate the target, Aria. You don't talk back, you don't say no, and you sure as hell don't terminate the mission. Who the hell do you think you are?"
I walk up to his desk and place both palms flat on his desk and look him right in his eyes.
"I'll tell you who I am, Director. I am the best!" He flinches in surprise at my words and tone of voice. I don't give him the chance to speak.
"I'm the best student you have ever had. I'm the leader of the Elite Squad. No, forget that…I am the Elite Squad! I am the best assassin, hacker, fighter, and agent you have." I lean as close as I can to his face and I can feel his breath hitting mine. I lower my voice in anger.
"What I'm not, my dear father, is a hitman for hire. I don't take out innocents." He opens his mouth to speak.
"Don't you dare lie to me. I see it all over your face. Don't forget you taught me how to sniff out a rat and right now that rat is you. How dare you have me kill an innocent. I don't care what she knows, or who she pissed off. That’s. Not. What. We. Do."
I can tell I've surprised him by turning the tables. He tries
to muster up his original anger but he can't because we both know I'm right. I have nothing left to say and nothing I am willing to hear so I turn to leave.
"Aria." I stop in place without turning to face him. "You're on probation. You disobeyed a direct order and you will be punished accordingly."
"Are you going to send me away too, Father?" I ask, rubbing in how he sent Van away.
"No. You will be stripped of your ranking until we decide further. You are no longer an agent; you will help with training the young ones. That’s is all." I know he's expecting a fit, for me to storm out, but I don't stop the smile that takes over my face. It's about time for a vacation.
"As you wish," is all I say as I leave his office.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Aria
I’ve been on “babysitting duty” for two weeks now and I love it. I know Edward was expecting me to come back begging after the first few days, but instead, I’ve enjoyed myself completely. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this free and happy. Talk about his punishment backfiring on him.
I’m not looking forward to today, however, because it’s Disney Day. You’d think going to Disneyland is every child’s dream, and for most kids it is, but for Academy children, Disneyland is just the first of many spy tests.
We take the five-, six-, and seven-year-olds to do their first real important training session. I hate everything about it and everything it stands for. It just brings up what a crummy childhood these kids are getting. Yes, they aren’t being abused or starved, but they aren’t being loved and adored either.
“You ready to do this?” Cam asks with a scowl on his face as usual. I almost choke.
“You are doing D-day?” I say with a laugh. The idea of Cameron chaperoning small children is just a visual I can’t picture no matter how hard I try.
“It looks like you aren’t the only one being punished.”
“What did you do?”
“Became a handler. Edward’s new rules are all handlers must participate in D-day. It’s going to teach us responsibility or some such ridiculousness.”
