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The agent’s eyes flick to mine in the rearview mirror. “Those aren’t our orders.”

“I don’t give a fuck about your orders,” I say, pulse quickening. With every word, I know this is the right move. “I need to talk to Agent McNair. Immediately.”

He holds my gaze for a moment longer then jerks his chin at the man in the passenger seat. He pulls out a phone and presses a button. “Yeah.” He says once she’s picked up. “We’re enroute. There’s just a problem.” He pauses, twisting to look at me. “I’m not sure. She can tell you herself.”

He sticks his arm out between the seats and hands me the phone. I’ve never used a cell phone before and it feels strangely heavy. I hold it up to my ear like I’ve seen others do. “Hello.”

“Imogene, Agent Kane tells me there’s a problem?”

“I want to talk to you.”

“We can arrange something when you get to the safe house.”

I look at Silas. His expression is both concerned and curious. I take his hand in mine and link our fingers together. “We need to meet before the safehouse. I promise it’ll be worth it.”

She’s quiet for a moment. “You’re ready to talk?”

“I’m not only ready to talk, but I’m ready to give you everything you need to bring Anex down.”

“I’m glad to hear that—”

“I’m not finished.” I cut her off and draw a deep breath for courage. “I’ll give you everything you need to bring down Anex but I want something in return.”

“What are you requesting?”

“I want my men back.”

I tellAgent McNair that I need two things. One, for her to meet me at the Center. Two, to bring Rex, Elon, and Levi with her.

Our driver, Agent Mallory, makes a pass on Main Street, three times before bringing the SUV to a stop outside the building. Leaving us with Agent Kane, he exits the building, hand on the butt of his weapon, and checks everything out.

“Is this really necessary?” I ask, eyeing the way the front door has been barred with police tape crisscrossing the glass. Seeing the Center shut down like this brings home the reality of everything: Anex is out of business.

At least this business.

“After that bomb threat,” he asks, eyebrows raising, “hell yeah, it’s necessary.”

A crackle comes across the walkie talkie along with Agent Mallory’s voice, “All clear.”

“Stick close,” he says.

“What about—” I start, worried she’s not holding up to her end of the deal.

“Agent McNair will be here. I promise.” He opens the passenger door and then my back door. “We’re too exposed on the street. It’s safer to wait for them inside.”

I exit the car and Silas follows. People on the street watch us as we enter the building and I’m grateful to be in secular clothing, although if I’ve learned anything, outsiders can sense our differentness just like we can tell theirs. Inside, I’m struck by a wave of surrealness. Everything is exactly the same, but not. The Center is eerily quiet but has the lingering evidence of the Fed’s raid. I walk over to my desk and see that it’s rummaged through, desk drawers open. Pencil cup tipped to the side. Calendar removed. Mindlessly, I start to put things back in place.

“Don’t touch anything,” Agent Kane says, passing me.

I step back, unsure of what to do with my hands.

The doors swing open, bringing in a bright ray of afternoon sunlight. Agent McNair walks in, but my eyes skirt past her to the men that follow: Rex, Levi, and Elon.

Agent Mallory shuts the door behind them and stays outside.

“Thank god,” I say, noticing their wrists are bound as I run over. I throw my arms around Rex and he plants a kiss in the crook of my neck. Reaching out, I squeeze Levi’s hand. “Are you okay?”

“We’re fine.” Rex answers for all of them. “What is this?”