Page 81 of Secret Mission

The next ten seconds feel like an eon as the guard moves behind the desk and takes a seat in his chair.

"I don't know. I can call Elena at home to ask."

My body turns cold as we wait. The tips of my ears first, then my face, the center of my chest. The chill creeps down my legs, making the skin goosebump.

“Un momento.”

My heart hammers against my ribs as he picks up an ancient-looking phone and dials on gigantic plastic buttons.

The conversation unfolds in rapid Spanish, too fast for my limited grasp of the language to follow. All I can do is watch his face for clues.

Truck's hand finds the small of my back, a silent reassurance that I'm not alone in this.

The warm pressure grounds me when everything else feels like it's spinning out of control.

“I can understand him,” he reminds me in a low whisper.

That’s right.

Truck speaks Spanish.

I almost sag with relief. But there’s no reason to feel relaxed. Chaos is creeping closer.

My father is in Vandemora. I can feel it. Like there’s some kind of sick tether to a man I don’t really even know.

He said he was my biological father all of these years. My whole life. And he’s not.

The guard hangs up and turns to us with a nod. "She says yes, older man. Very... how you say...importante? Like someone with power. White hair, nice watch. He had another man with him. Younger. Military looking."

My stomach drops even more. Clinging to Truck’s arm, I whisper, "It's him. My father."

He's here. Looking for me.

And now Axle is missing.

"Thank you," Truck tells the guard, who looks increasingly uncomfortable with the tension filling his small office.

"De nada," he mumbles. "I hope you find your brother."

As we step back into the hallway, Justice keeps pace with Truck. "New twist."

I'm already three steps ahead, mind racing through scenarios.

If I didn’t have the guys with me, I’d be in full freakout mode. Whatever’s happening with him is getting more and more dangerous.

After the encounter with Thomas and his tactical team, I don’t know what extremes my father will go to. But I know enough to help make a strategy, even if I don’t have the brawn.

"My father won’t go anywhere too grungy, don’t worry. It shouldn't be too hard to avoid him if we remember that."

I'm surprised by the steadiness in my voice, given the tremor in my hands.

Part of me wants to curl into a ball and hide, but that's not an option. Not anymore. Not with Rosalie possibly in danger because of me. Not with Axle missing.

Truck stays close, his expression grim but determined. "We need to play our next move well."

I reach for his hand without thinking. The contact centers me.

Twenty-four hours ago, I was alone, fighting shadows. Now I have allies. But I also have more to lose.