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Ellie brushed her thumb over Owen’s chubby hand. “I have more to lose now.”
“That may be, but you’re much stronger than you know.” Marta smiled gently. “God will see you through.”
Her words brought comfort to Ellie's troubled heart. She’d spent so long trying to survive, trying to shield Owen from every threat, that she’d forgotten what it meant to lean on her faith. To trust that God had a plan.
The screen door creaked open. Daniel stepped onto the porch. Sunlight caught his dark hair and outlined his broad shoulders. The memory of being held in his arms last night flashed unbidden in Ellie’s mind. Heat bloomed in her cheeks.
Foolish. Dangerous. Developing feelings for Daniel would only make things messier. But the ache in her chest refused to be ignored. He made her feel safe. And Ellie couldn’t remember the last time she truly felt that way.
His eyes found hers, and the warmth in them made her pulse skip. “Ellie, we’re ready for you.”
Marta gave her knee a gentle pat. Ellie kissed Owen before following Daniel inside. The house smelled of cinnamon and coffee. Voices filtered from the kitchen, but Daniel led her to the dining room.
Lieutenant Vikki Rodriguez stood at the window. She turned as they entered, her expression unreadable, but a small smile curved her lips. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Brooks. There were a few housekeeping matters we needed to take care of.”
“Please call me Ellie.”
She nodded and gestured to a seat nearby. “Daniel has brought me up to date regarding the delicate situation we find ourselves in. I want to start off by reassuring you that no one on this team, including myself, will contact the FBI about this case until we can be certain that doing so won’t endanger you and Owen.” Her eyes darkened with bridled fury. “If there is a mole in the Bureau, we’ll root him out.”
Ellie appreciated the lieutenant’s confidence, but her conscience pricked. “Thank you, Lieutenant. And I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but when the FBI finds out you didn’t call them… they won’t be pleased. They may pressure your superiors to launch an investigation that could land you all in trouble.”
“I know how to protect my team.” Lieutenant Rodriguez arched her brow. “Besides, I don’t know who you are. I only know who youclaimto be.”
Smart. Very smart. Ellie couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “I suppose without DNA or fingerprints, it’s impossible to know if I am Agent Elizabeth Conway.”
Vikki smiled back. “Precisely. And we have no physical evidence linking the Iron Fist to the attacks. No IDs on the men from the church or the hospital. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no need to alert the FBI. Yet.” She leveled a look toward Ellie. “If that changes, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
“Understood.” Gratitude swelled. “Thank you, Lieutenant.”
“No need to thank me, Ellie. I’m just doing my job.” She paused and her tone softened. “We’ve all made enemies in this line of work, and we take care of our own. I’m sorry the pasthas come back to haunt you. We’ll do everything in our power to keep you and Owen safe.”
Relief uncoiled the last knot of fear twisting her stomach. Daniel had been right. His boss was formidable and trustworthy.
Vikki rose and picked up her coffee mug. “I’m going to bring in the rest of the team. While I’m in the kitchen, I’m grabbing another homemade cinnamon roll. Can I get something for either of you?”
Both shook their heads. After she left, Daniel angled his body toward Ellie. His expression was slightly guarded, as if he was concerned she’d regret trusting him. “What do you think?”
“I’m glad I listened to you.” Ellie reached for his hand. “Thank you. For the first time since this started, I feel like I can breathe.”
He interlaced their fingers and gently squeezed her hand before lifting his gaze to meet hers. “So I won’t wake up one morning to discover you disappeared with Owen?”
She inhaled sharply. Ellie shouldn’t have been surprised by the question. Daniel was intuitive, and the thought had crossed her mind more than once last night, but she was caught off-guard by the emotion in his voice. Worry. For her? Or for Owen? Ellie wasn’t sure.
His brows rose. “Shocked I figured it out? You’re not as subtle as you think.”
“Obviously.” There’d been a time, while working undercover, when Ellie had been excellent at hiding her thoughts and emotions. Those skills had clearly faded since living in Silver Creek. She licked her lips. “I won’t lie. It’s crossed my mind. But a life on the run wouldn’t be fair to Owen. I would never do that to him if there was another way. Besides, I’m not sure I can keep him safe by myself.” Ellie paused. “And before you ask, no, I won’t go rogue and take on the Iron Fist by myself or try to findwhatever they’re looking for on my own. I’ll play by the rules the lieutenant lays out.”
Daniel’s lips quirked up in a teasing smile. “Oof. That hurt to say, didn’t it?”
She lightly smacked his shoulder. “Don’t make fun. Why do you care, anyway? We hardly know each other. I’m surprised you aren’t looking to get rid of me and the trouble I’ve brought to your doorstep.”
“You couldn’t be more wrong.”
Daniel leaned forward slightly, his expression serious and intent. The space between them seemed to shrink, and Ellie found herself holding her breath. His eyes searched hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.
“I care. You're right that we hardly know each other, but I can see the kind of person you are. Someone who'd risk everything for that little boy. You're also used to working undercover, adapting to the situation, and calling the shots if need be. But that won't work this time. We're doing this as a team. No more secrets. No more lies. I need your word, El.”
El. For Ellie. And for Elizabeth. Daniel chose a nickname that encompassed both parts of her. It sent her heart spinning. As illogical as it was, given the amount of time they’d known each other, he understood her. It was both comforting and terrifying in equal measure.