“Who?”
“There’s no reason to hide. We know you were behind erasing his virtual life. What we want to know is his true identity.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s an assassin.”
“And so are you. But even if I did, why would I give you the information? Wouldn’t that defeat the job I’d been hired to do?”
“What do you know about this person?” Ivy asked.
“Again, why would I tell you? Look, I like you, Ivy... you too, Ghost. But you’re asking something of me that I won’t do. People have reasons for wanting to disappear... case in point, my sister.”
“True, but you did that to save your sister. We’re trying to save others from Raptor.”
“But Raptor is not a killer. She’s an operative... a spy. Her government couldn’t keep her safe. Their records had been compromised and she’d been exposed and needed a new identity.”
“Raptor is an assassin, not a spy, and not a good guy… or girl.”
Chaos looked from Ivy to Ghost, then to her sister. She wanted to help them, but she couldn’t, at least not without proof. Even then, she’d have to decide if the proof was real and untampered before she’d help. Which was what she told them.
“Very well. We’ll get you proof. In the meantime, we’d like for you to go to London. If you opt to trust us, we have a proposition for you. If you don’t, then at least you’ll be away from here, and safe,” Ghost stated.
As she could see the argument brewing, Ivy said, “You put yourself and your sister in danger when you told the paramedics who you were. Now your enemies have a name, albeit not yours, and a location to begin searching for Chaos. We need you out of harm's way so we can protect your sister.”
Well, that did it. She didn’t remember saying her name, but numerous people, including the police, said she had. And Ivy was right. She’d set Voodoo up for trouble. She’d rather stay put and fight alongside her, but Chaos knew she couldn’t be of any help outside of a keyboard.
“Okay. I’ll go, but not if you want me to expose my client.”
“Understood. However, I’d ask that you listen to everything Ryan has on this Raptor. It might change your mind and help you decide to not only expose Raptor, but also accept a job offer.”
“Why London?”
“That’s where ALIAS International is located, and it’s where Raptor is.”
Chaos looked at her sister’s pleading eyes and nodded. She’d do anything, including leaving the country and going back into hiding, for her sister. It was a world she’d lived in for years. It hadn’t been until she’d spent time with Byte and Ivy that she realized she missed having friends. She missed having a life. Maybe London would give her both. She was coming up on her thirty-fifth birthday. Half her life was spent in the dark. Now it might be time to swim toward the light.
“When do I leave?”
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
“We’ll give you guys some space,” Ivy said as she pushed Ghost and Carter out the door. Stopping abruptly, Carter turned toward the two and promised to be outside if they needed him.
Once the door had closed, Chaos chuckled. “He has it bad.”
“It’s too late,” Voodoo finally said as she watched the door close.
“You’re an idiot.”
Swinging back and looking at her sister, Voodoo growled. “Why? Because I don’t see a future between us anymore? I’m not Gwen anymore. I’m Maxi and Voodoo. I can never go back to that quiet, shy little mouse. I don’t want to either.”
“And you think he does?”
“Yes, of course. That’s how he thinks of me. The woman who was so scared she ran away. The woman who was most likely a fool and believed her husband was faithful to her.”
“Well, on that last one, I would agree and say you’re a fool. Why would you think he was unfaithful in your marriage? Were you?”
“God, no! Why would you even ask?”