Page 7

Unfortunately, they knew that, and Cayo shot me a wide smile and mouthed, “You’re welcome.”

I flipped him off behind my back.

“Emilia,” Dad called from the hall. He stopped at the entrance and took us in. “Rod needs to meet with you in twenty minutes.”

Rod was my boss. Well, he was over Carlo and Cayo too, but we worked more closely since my assignments involved more intel than theirs. Typically, they received a location and a picture, sometimes a name, but that was usually irrelevant. They showed up, took care of whoever needed taking care of, and left.

Mine required a bit more finesse.

“I’ll make you a plate.” Mom began filling one before I could protest, so I sat Beni down in his highchair and moved to my spot at the table.

“Isn’t it time for you to stop playing?” Raquel was on a roll tonight. She usually brought up my life decisions once or twice each time she saw me, but normally, she dropped it once the boys backed me.

“Playing?” I thanked Mom when she sat the heaping plate of tamales and rice in front of me.

“This little act.” She waved her finger in a circle at me. “You’ve had your fun playing secret agent or whatever your fantasy is, but it’s time to get serious.”

I closed my eyes and reminded myself I couldn’t use one of my fifteen ways to kill a person with a spoon on my sister.

“It’s not an act or a game or fantasy,” I replied in a steady voice. If I raised it, she’d claim I was being dramatic or overly sensitive. “I have talents and skills that are incredibly important and useful to the Pack. My job keeps us all safe. What I do allows you to stay home and play house. It allows your kids to go to school without fear. It keeps your happy little life going. You’re welcome.”

She glared.

Mom groaned.

Celestina crossed her arms. “You think you’re so much better than us? You couldn’t survive a day in our lives.”

I took another bite and smiled. “Exactly. I wouldn’t make it, which is why I decided to do something else.”

My agreement always stumped them.

They wanted to argue. They wanted to be right.

And this time, they were.

I wouldn’t last a day as a mom of five. I’d run before noon.

I shoved the rest of a tamale in my mouth and stood. “Thanks, Mom.”

She huffed but waved me off as I passed back my half-full plate.

“I’ll finish that.” Joey snatched it before the other boys could and took my seat.

I waved as I walked out and relaxed the second the front door shut behind me, glad to head down the street toward the main offices. Less than five minutes with my family, and my stress levels were dangerously high.

A new mission was just the distraction I needed. Maybe it would even be slightly challenging. A girl could dream.

Coach was waiting for me in the lobby and led me back to his office with a nod. Once we sat, he got to the point.

“The body was discovered an hour after the event ended. Official report says a heart attack.” He scanned the paper in front of him. “Good job.”

That was all? He wouldn’t have called me down here when he could have emailed or texted.

“Thank you.”

Finally, he met my gaze. “I put your name in for an upcoming mission.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And?”