Page 2 of The Deceptions

At least, that's the rumor.

Headstones line the slightly flat and hilly grounds for miles. A large black iron fence encompasses the area, keeping the dead inside and the living on the edges.

The only buildings around this area belong to Greenwood University, sitting a hundred feet from the east side of the property.

My dream college as a kid.Ourdream college. It was always a part of the plan we came up with. Go to college. Get our education as we continued to work for Franco.

Then we can disappear and start over somewhere far away from here.

I accomplished that. But did they? Have they successfully left Franco behind yet?

I'm drawn out of my thoughts when movement on the edge of the cemetery catches my eye. Someone is slinking through the shadows with hunched shoulders and their head hanging low.

What are they doing out here?

I narrow my eyes, but through the darkness and rain, I can't make out their facial features. I home in on their heavy footsteps sloshing in the mud, getting closer and closer to us.

I put my hand on my hip, reaching for the weapon that's always at my side. My fingers hover, ready to grab and strike if they're a threat against us.

The figure abruptly stops fifty yards from our location, freezing completely. With nothing more than a loud huff of breath, they turn on their heels and hightail it out of sight.

They saw us.

“Someone is here,” I mumble to my uncle, who silently stands beside me. No doubt watching the retreating back of the stranger.

“He’ll leave,” he mumbles unconcerned. “He always does.”

My brows furrow when I turn to look at him, but he shakes his head—not elaborating. So, I don't ask like I've been trained to do.

By him. By my father. Both Viotto men, both incredibly different, but the same.

My entire life has been a quiet existence. My father, a mafia leader, raised me to keep my mouth shut. Don’t ask stupid questions or you’ll find out the answers through fists and menacing words.

All very educational, if you ask me. I mean, I learned to keep my lips tight and my eyes down around my father and his abusive ways. So did my mother and my sister. We were all under his thumb and oppressive ways.

But I never thought it would follow me into adulthood, to my job.

The moment I stepped foot into the Veritas bunker where I trained, I found out the same rules applied. It’s do as I ask and never question my authority. Half of me understands my UncleJonathan’s demands. But the other half–my rebelling half–wants to beg for answers. Especially right now, as I watch the shadow retreat from us, getting further and further away until they’re nothing more than a blip in the darkness, becoming one with it.

Who is this mysterious person who seems to make a consistent appearance here? And how does my uncle know about him? Has he been staking out my grave for…whatever reason?

"Why are we here?" I softly ask, letting my words hang on the thick raindrops continuing to pelt us.

My Uncle Jonathan shuffles beside me, putting a hand on my shoulder. He squeezes, bringing my gaze to his hardened eyes. Lightning flashes above our heads again, my muscles tensing in response.

The brief flash highlights the sparkle in Jonathan's eyes. He knows something I don't. Seems fitting, though. He's the head of Veritas—a secret government agency. And me? Well, I'm the agent beneath him, doing his bidding. Happily, though. This job gives me a purpose after my life went up in smoke five years ago.

Don't think about them. Don't do it.

“I wouldn't have brought you here if I didn't think you'd be up for the challenge, Agent Seven.” His voice dips low, and he opts to use my Veritas number instead of my name.

He means business now. There's no questioning his motives or talking back. I am his agent. Not his niece.

My back straightens immediately, wiping away my emotions. As Agent Seven, I am unstoppable.

Trained to take down mafia leaders, gang heads, and CEOs on the bad side of the law. Corruption. Deaths. Cults. You name it. Our organization does it.Ido it. I'm one of the best agents in our division. And I love every second of it.

“Yes, Agent Zero.” As I acknowledge him, lightning flashes again, raising the hairs on my arms as it quickly strikes a tree in the woods surrounding the area.