Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“There are Variant agencies in other countries?” I asked. Somehow it had never occurred to me that there might be Variants around the world, not connected to the FEA. “Yes,” Major said. “So far his cooperation efforts haven’t worked out though. Not that we’ve been revealing anything about the FEA to other countries, so why would they?” He paused. “Anyway, now he oversees that FEA prison abides to official regulations, though he’s never actually set foot inside.” It didn’t take much to hear the contempt in Major’s voice. “Mainly he’s an adviser for the government on matters of organized crime.”
“So he’s fully aware of the involvement of Abel’s Army with the mob and other crime organizations?” Holly guessed.
“Indeed,” Major said. “His affiliation with them is likely the reason for his becoming a target.”
“How long would I need to pretend to be him?” I couldn’t imagine living someone else’s life again so soon after my last mission.
“You’re not going to take anyone’s place,” Alec interrupted me. “Not when Abel’s Army is involved.”
I stared at him, speechless. What the hell had gotten into him? His gray eyes were boring into me as if he was trying to send me some secret message. I was so sick of him deciding what was best for me when he couldn’t be honest himself.
“That’s not for you to decide.”
“You don’t know how serious this is, Tessa.”
“Enough,” Major said sharply. “This is an order. I won’t tolerate your insubordination. If you can’t keep your emotions in check, I’ll pull you from the mission and will send Tanner as protection for Tessa and Holly.”
Alec’s face turned to stone. “No. I have to be there.”
Major searched his face for a long time, then nodded and turned back to me. “You’re going to take Senator Pollard’s place for one event. The senator has been invited to speak in front of a few hundred law students.”
“He’ll talk about us?” Holly asked in a hushed voice.
“Of course not,” Major said curtly. “He’ll give a speech about organized crime.” He turned to me once again. “Apparently, the Secret Service believes that this’ll be the perfect opportunity for Abel’s Army to strike. It’ll be your job, Tessa, to replace Senator Pollard. You’ll be giving his speech and you may need to talk to a few people if necessary, but we’ll try to keep your contact with outsiders to a minimum.”
“So I’ll have to memorize his speech and learn everything about organized crime?”
“I doubt you can learn everything in two days. But it can’t hurt for your future missions to get familiar with the structure of the mob and similar organizations.”
“Sir,” Holly said meekly. “What will be my job?”
“You and Alec will accompany Tessa for her safety. While Alec will be part of the official security staff, you’ll be keeping an eye on things discreetly, using your Variation. It’s time that you’re finally part of a mission.” Major’s eyes narrowed. “Summers and Alec assured me that you can do this. Do you agree?”
Holly nodded hastily. “Yes, sir. My Variation has improved a lot. I can stay invisible for several hours.”
“That will do for now. You should make sure that your record is over a day by the end of the year,” Major said.
Holly shrunk in her chair and cast her eyes downward. Why couldn’t Major praise her for her improvement? Didn’t he realize how difficult it had been for her?
“Do Pollard’s bodyguards know of the mission?” Alec asked.
Major glanced up from his desk. “No,” he said. “No one else knows. The senator thought it wouldn’t be wise to tell them about it.”
“But they know about the FEA and Variants?” I said.
Major’s lips twisted. “No, apparently it’s hard to come by entirely trustworthy security personnel, unless you’re the president.”
Well, that made me feel safe.
“Pollard will visit headquarters tomorrow. He’d like to meet you before entrusting his reputation to you and since you’ll have to touch him to gather his DNA for the mission, I agreed.” He gave a dismissive nod. “That’s it for now. You can return to your rooms.”
Alec tried to catch my eyes as we left Major’s office, but I ignored him. The moment we were outside, he grabbed my hand. “We need to talk. Just one minute.”
Holly waited for me a few steps away. “Should I wait?”
“No. It’s okay. You go ahead.” After she disappeared into the elevator, I followed Alec to the other end of the corridor, far away from Major’s office and his ears.
“You’ll have to trust me for this mission, Tess,” he said. We were standing far too close. I craned my neck to look into his eyes and the emotion there stopped me from stepping back. “That’s rule number one for bodyguards and their charge.”
“Don’t worry. My feelings won’t disturb the mission. I’m sure you won’t let them,” I said coldly.