“One and the same.” Juice confirms.
“Isn’t he supposed be the one protecting our classified information?”
“Yes, but he also doubles as a hacker. Turns out he’s been working an undercover mission of his own.”
“And no one knew about it?”
“Adams did.”
“Of course, he did,” I state aggravated. Commander Adams knows everything that goes on with Endeavor, he’s the fucking man behind the curtain. “He didn’t think to clue anyone else in?”
“Too dangerous. They wanted this guy. Bad.”
“Bad enough to let him think he was hacking one of the most powerful security agencies in the world?” Jett asks.
“So it seems. Simon had to lay low until all the information was transferred. Well, all the wrong information anyway.”
“So, no identities have been compromised?” I ask.
“None but the guy who hired Simon to hack us.”
“And that would be who exactly?” I inquire on the edge of my seat.
“That’s what I’m calling about. Kayne, you’re not going to like this. I’m sending a pic.”
A new message pops up on my screen.
“His name is Eduardo Sanchez or, as he’s known on the street, Protégé.”
“Protégé?” Jett and I repeat in unison as I open the text.
“Holy fucking shit.”
“What?” Jett glances tensely between me and the road as he drives. “What is it?”
I hold up my phone so he can see, all the blood draining from my body.
“It’s Michael.”
“I CAN’T BREATHE!” I SCREAMas I kick and flail, being hauled around with a hood over my head.
I’m suddenly dropped on the floor, hard.
Ouch!
I don’t know what happened. One minute I was walking down the street minding my own business, and the next I was being forced into the backseat of a car where I was tied up, gagged, and then shrouded in darkness. I’m now lying helplessly on my side with my hands bound behind my back and my heart on the verge of giving out. It’s been beating triple time since I was grabbed.
“Well, look who finally decided to come home,” a male voice says. The hood is removed, and I look up into a pair of dark chocolate-brown eyes. Michael’s eyes. I glance around erratically. I’m in a bedroom. A very fancy bedroom that has a beautiful view of the Pacific, white décor, and a polished wood floor. The smell of fresh flowers is as potent as air freshener.
“You look hot as hell like that, Ellie,” he says as I stare at him angry, confused, and unable to speak.
He props me up so I’m sitting on my butt and removes the gag. I work my jaw quickly, trying to get the feeling back.
“Is this some kind of joke?” I demand.
Michael laughs at me. “Have fun on your trip?” He lifts my chin and regards the large bite mark on my neck.
I refuse to answer.
