“He was there because he was ordered to find Shadow and bring her back home before she could get hurt,” her father answered. “Thankfully, he did.”
“I’m confused.” Apollo’s dark brows dipped inward. “How were you recognized if everyone thinks you’re dead?”
“That’s the million-dollar question.” Shadow met the man’s curious stare. “I was careful, left no money trail, used a burner phone when needed…” She sighed. “The truth is, I have no idea how anyone could have possibly figured out my true identity.”
But they had, and apparently, they were not at all pleased that she was still alive.
“Something else you should know about Senator Stanton.” Her father looked first at her, and then at the others. “He wasn’t simply a lawyer like it says on his lengthy and impressive resume. He’s former CIA.”
What the…
“You knew?” Shadow stared up at her father, surprised by his unexpected revelation. “I mean, I suspected, given his too-spotless record, as well as the manner in which Mom was killed. But I never could find any proof.”
“And you won’t.” He shook his salt-and-pepper head. “Someone did a damn good job at covering up his past, and the only people capable of accomplishing something that involved is the Agency. But to answer your question, yes. I knew. Just like I knew your mother was an agent, as well.”
A round of shockwaves filled her system as she processed the bomb her father had just dropped. “Momwas CIA?”
Her mother’s involvement in the secretive agency made surprising sense, and yet, it left Shadow with even more questions than before. If she’d been working as a government spy, it could explain why someone had wanted her dead.
An enemy she and her team had been chasing could have decided to kill rather than be killed. Or perhaps someone connected to an op from her mother’s past tracked her down as a means of revenge.
The eyes Shadow had seen behind the mask that night hadn’t belonged to some unknown assailant. And since Stanton was the one who pulled that trigger…
“Mom knew too much.” Shadow looked back at her father. “She had to have seen something she shouldn’t have. Something Stanton thought was worth killing for in order to keep it quiet. Either that or she was working with?—”
“Your mother wasn’t dirty.” Her father seemed to read her mind, the mere thought shooting a fiery anger into his eyes. “She was one of the best, most loyal agents the CIA has ever had. Of that, I am utterly certain.”
Despite the sharp bite of his words, the conviction in her father’s tone gave Shadow a sense of relief and comfort. So she gave him a slight nod, letting him know she believed everything he’d just said.
“What happens next?” Bones looked to her for the answer.
But it was her father who responded with a plan of his own making.
“Once we’re done here, Digger will take Shadow to a secured location, where they will remain until the threat to my daughter has been eliminated.”
Shadow’s heart dropped, and her anger rose. “Excuse me?” She swung her widened gaze in her father’s direction. “No. I amnotgoing into hiding while that murdering asshole roams around scot-free.”
“You started a war, my dear.” His expression was as serious as she’d ever seen it. “And I can promise you that man’s desire to see youtrulydead is every bit as strong as your need for revenge.”
“He’s right,” Digger rumbled low. “Stanton has more to lose now than ever before. If he was the one behind last night’s shooting, then he’s already shown he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re stopped. Now, I didn’t get a good look at the shooter, but I’m pretty damn confident Stanton wasn’t the one pulling the trigger. That means, there’s at least one man still out there willing to do his dirty work for him, and as of right now, you’re?—”
“His number one target,” Shadow finished for the man who’d saved her life once already. “I’m not scared of Michael Stanton, Digger.”
She would have thought that was already abundantly clear.
But those brown eyes of his locked tightly with hers as he rumbled a deep, “You should be.”
The look on his handsomely rugged face sent shivers down her spine. Digger was one of the toughest, most capable men she knew. He’d proven himself countless times with his team, as well as last night, when he’d risked his own life to save hers.
And now, unless she could find a way to turn the tables back on Stanton, he may very well have to do it again.
CHAPTER5
Tac-Ops safe house
Later that evening…
“I can’t believemy father owns this place.”
