Nick sighs like he really doesn’t want to talk about it. “Matt found two human bodies in Dalton’s apartment after you saw him flee. We recovered more bodies across the city in similar conditions.”
“Shit,” I whisper.
“Shit is right. Now that we’ve caught Dalton, I’m hoping we’ll get some answers.”
“Aurelia, his daughter, who managed the store. She’s the kingpin. That’s what he said.”
“That’s helpful. Let’s hope he is cooperative with information. But you don’t have to worry, alright? Matt’s around, and you’re safe at work with Emily and Laura there. Besides, they won’t dare to show their faces around here again,” he nods, determined.
“I don’t want to be Matt’s assignment anymore,” I hesitantly tell him. “I’m sure I’ll be alright,” I nod, certain. Kinda.
Nick laughs. “Oh, Oliver, you were never Matt’s assignment. You’ll be okay.” He pats my head like I’m a five-year-old and gets up to leave. He promises someone from the Bureau will be here to fix all the damage and give me more information.
At some point, my body starts drooping. I slump back on the couch. My mind comes up with memories of Matt holding himself back. Keeping me at bay, or at least trying.
There’s a flurry of footsteps in my apartment. I realize my front door looks like it’s been ripped off its hinges.
Someone sits beside me. I turn my head and see a petite, Indian woman who oozes authority. She makes me want to sit up straighter. I would if I had the energy.
“I’m Meena Srivastav, LA head of WRB. I hear Nick explained a few things already?”
“Oliver,” I nod.
She nods back. “I know.”
“Oh, right. I was an assignment.”
She shakes her head. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll survive.”
She gives me a small smile. “No one will hurt you anymore. We’ll make sure of it.”
I nod. I mean, I’m not really planning on snooping anymore, so I should be safe.
“Oliver, we have been researching you. We know where you work, where you live, where your family lives,” she says pointedly.
There goes the promise of safety. But honestly, I get it. Trusting that people are nice only works in theory. Maintaining a secret this big can’t be entirely dependent on goodness of hearts.
“I understand.”
“We have to protect our species.”
I nod again.
“I know you won't tell anyone. Your record is clean. You seem like a nice person. Laura vouched for you.”
“She did?” That’s a surprise.
“Yes, she speaks highly of you. So do Nick, Bree, Camila, Marcus, and Sloan.”
I tear up a little. It means a lot that they’d do that, really. “I won't tell anyone,” I reassure her.
She smiles again. “Good. I’ll send you more information on the protocol tomorrow. Today, you need to rest.”
She’s right about that.
She starts to leave, but turns to me again. “It wasn’t Matt’s job to distract you, you know?”
