Before Shadow knew what was happening, she felt herself being wrapped up tight in the former Marine’s arms. A tiny squeal escaped the back of her throat when she was hoisted up off her feet in the biggest bear hug she’d ever received.
“Good to meet you, too, Bones.” She hugged him back. Despite her plan to tell him later, she heard herself whispering, “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to help with?—”
“It’s all good.” He didn’t even let her finish. “Evie’s okay, and you’re back, so as far as I’m concerned, all is right in the Tac-Ops world.”
Tears stung the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away. Next, she came face-to-face with Falcon, and another tight hug ensued.
“Come here, you.” The man who served as Tac-Ops’ top sniper pulled her into his muscular arms. “Damn, girl. I never thought this day would come.”
“Me, eeither.” Ethan “Apollo” McAllister was next in line. The dark-haired former SEAL surprised her when he, too, brought her in for a friendly embrace. “I thought we got called in for another job.”
“You did.” Her father’s deep response brought an end to the celebration.
Apollo released his hold and took a step back, his almost black eyes sliding to the man standing to Shadow’s left.
“Must be a big one to bring our girl to us in person.”
“It is,” their boss confirmed. “And I brought Shadow in to meet you all because sheisthe job.”
“Boss?” Bones frowned, his confusion obvious to her and everyone else in the room.
When her dad shot her an uncharacteristically hesitant glance, Shadow took it upon herself to explain.
“Why don’t you boys have a seat while I tell you a little story?”
“Storytime, huh?” Falcon smirked as he returned to his chair. “This should be interesting.
Interesting.
That was one way to put it.
“Shadow, I can?—”
“It’s okay.” She cut her father’s offer short. “I’ve got this.”
Shadow waited for the men to sit before she began. Standing a few inches back and to her right, Digger remained in place with no obvious signs of moving.
Suit yourself, big guy.
After a quick clearing of her throat, she decided to dive right in. “I’m sure the intricate details will come later, but for now, I’ll save you all some time and give you the short and sweet version.”
And that’s exactly what she did. Over the course of the next few minutes, Shadow went through the bullet points of her life up to this point.
Witnessing her mother’s murder.Check.Growing up never knowing the killer’s identity or motive.Check.Her recent dream and the revelation that had followed.Check. Check.
And when she shared her deep seated suspicion that Senator Stanton was the man she believed to have shot her mother in cold blood, several under-the-breath curses created a dull rumble throughout the entire room.
“There’s something Shadow isn’t saying.” Her father regained control of the group as he glanced over at her with a guarded smile. “It’s a secret that’s been kept for reasons that will be obvious by the time we’re finished here today. But since I trust you all with her life, I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you the full truth. And that truth is, this woman isn’t merely your team’s overwatch or my employee.” He cleared his throat before looking back over the team and telling them, “Her name is Alice Owens, and she’s… my daughter.”
The room grew silent. It was as if the world’s volume had been turned off as Shadow stood between her father and Digger. She waited with bated breath for the team’s response, and when it came, it was pretty much exactly what she’d envisioned.
“Shadow’s your…daughter?” Falcon’s eyes grew even wider than they had when she’d first been introduced.
Apollo’s dark gaze bounced between her and his boss as he ran a hand over the dark scruff covering his jaw. “Wow. I didnotsee that one coming.”
“Me, either.” Bones shook his head in surprise. “All this time. I mean, it’s your business, of course, but why keep it a secret?”
Shadow took it upon herself to answer, purposely letting her next words trail. “Murdered mother, former MI6 father… I’m guessing you boys are smart enough to understand the need to keep my existence a secret from, well, everyone.”
