“Do you need backup?” Ivy asked.
“No, I’ve got this. Just wanted you to know.”
“We’re at the restaurant the gang frequents. We knew something was going down by the tension in the room, but didn’t know what. We will end this charade today.”
“Understood. I’ve got these two, and I’ll find a safe place for Rosemary and her daughter.”
“Perfect. Talk soon.”
Seven disconnected the call and instructed Siri to call Aaron on mobile.
When the line connected, Seven asked for and was given Rosemary’s cell phone number.
With one final request, he instructed Siri to call Rosemary, then redial when Rosemary didn’t answer.
On the third try, she answered in a rushed and clipped hello.
“Rosemary. You don’t know me, but I’m Jude Butler and I work with your daughter, Danielle.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“Have you ever heard of ALIAS?”
“Maybe.”
“Right. Well, your daughter and I work together. Our team is working now to clear your name with ATF and take down the people trying to hurt you and Darla. Byte, I mean, Danielle wants us to help you. I’m in the car behind yours. I can divert the men, but I need you and Darla to go to one of our safe houses. Would you do that for me?”
When she didn’t answer, Seven called her name again.
“Why should I trust you?”
“Because you have no one else you can. All we want is to make sure you and Darla are safe. If you and Danielle meet, that’s up to you two. However, she doesn’t want you or Darla harmed. Does that sound like the child you raised?”
Seven was betting on a hunch based on what he knew of Byte. Despite her rough and standoffish demeanor, inside was a heart of gold. He’d seen it personally with how she took Tori in while he and Aria worked through their problems.
“It does. Is she okay?”
“She’s a strong and beautiful woman. Now, I’m going to send you a text with the address. Get off at the I-35 transfer, and don’t worry about the men behind you.”
“Thank you.”
Seven could hear the tears welling up. He too remembered how emotional it was to not know if your child was safe. He also remembered what it was like to have no one to trust, especially the government you worked for.
Once the call was disconnected, he instructed Siri to send the addresses in a text to Rosemary.
Knowing the time was closing in, Seven swerved into a hard ninety-degree turn, forcing the vehicle to stop before crashing into him. Before the passengers could respond, Seven yanked open the driver’s side door, popped two rounds, and repeated the assassination of the vehicle’s passenger.
Less than thirty seconds later, Seven called Byte and asked her to wipe any trace of him and Rosemary from the CCTVs in the area.
“I’ll take care of it. Are they safe?”
“They will be. I’ll call you when I have an update.”
* * *
Ivy and Falconstood outside the restaurant’s back entrance.
“Do you think Byte’s going to be okay?”