Page 127 of Trigger Happy Ending

Fuck.

Eighteen missed calls, all from O.

The Agency, even though it’s a concern and one I’ll need to address at some point, isn’t my biggest worry right now. I’ll deal with the aftermath of that bullshit when the time comes. For now, all that matters is Raine gets the care she needs to save her life.

“So,” Carson starts, leaning up against the wall next to me. “Now that it seems she’s going to live, you might want to start answering some questions. The first one being who in the fuck are you?”

Exhaling deeply, I run one hand through my hair and decide to blow it all to hell. “It's a long story."

Carson's jaw clenches in frustration. "I've got time. And in case you haven't noticed son, but you're in no position to play games with me."

"I’m not playing games," I state. "But I'm also not Lukas Klein.”

Carson tenses, pushing off the wall, straightening his spine. “Who are you?”

“My name’s Soren.”

Carson pulse is damn near bursting out his throat. “Soren who? Who do you work for?”

“I’m an operative for the Agency.”

Carson’s jaw falls open in absolute shock.

“I’m undercover,” I offer quickly. “On assignment.”

Carson balls his hands into fists. “To spy on me? My business?”

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s not about you. The Agency doesn’t give a shit about your illegal weapons ring. You’re not that important to them.”

Carson visibly relaxes at the news, but strangely, also seems offended? The ego bruised from being told he’s not as important as he thinks he is.

“They wanted PARM-17. I was assigned to retrieve it.”

“Why?”

I shrug. “I don’t ask questions. I do what I’m told.”

“And, what? Once you retrieved it, you were just going to disappear?”

I nod. “Yep.”

Carson blinks a few times, processing the level of deception and deceit. “Where’s the real Lukas?”

“Dead.”

No point in lying.

Carson’s eyes round. “Goddammit. Fuck.”

“Listen.” I turn towards Carson. “No one is coming for you. Your business will remain untouched. Your piece of shit corrupt contacts are safe. This assignment was never about you, alright?”

Carson swallows and looks over into the room to where Raine lies unconscious. “And what about her? Who the fuck is she?”

I follow his gaze and watch as her chest rises and falls. “She’s the girl I love.”

***

How the fuck we ended up here, I don’t know.