Chapter 16 The Truth
Anna's POV
“And from now on,” she added, “only communicate back when it’s done.”
The line went dead. I stared at the phone in disbelief.
Eliminate a Don. Zack Arrow?
I had no idea who about his profile, no debrief from my organization. it felt like I was sent on a journey to my own death.
The knock came before I could even finish processing what the lady had just told me.
I barely had time to breathe.
My new assignment was still echoing in my head when I quickly locked my phone, switched it off and shoved it under the pillow.
The door opened without waiting for permission, and Lucas walked in with hands dipped in his pocket.
He studied my face immediately. His eyes narrowed slightly as though he suspected something was wrong. “Are you okay?” he asked. “Why do you look so nervous?”
I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Xavier almost killed me last night. Forgive me if I’m not glowing this morning.”
Lucas sighed and stepped further into the room. “I'm sorry about last night. But you should understand that I know Xavier in a way most people don’t,” he said quietly. “I can promise you something like that won’t repeat itself… if you do exactly as I say without getting creative."
I watched him carefully.
If I wanted any lead on Zack Arrow, I had to play this smart. And that meant getting along with Lucas. Using him.
“Alright, I will do exactly as you say, moving forward,” I said. “So what’s the plan?”
Lucas hesitated, then said flatly, “Xavier plans to sell you to the highest bidder.”
The words sucked the air out of my lungs. Sell me?
I swallowed. “I thought he changed his mind after I impressed him… you know, by trying to escape.”
Lucas shook his head. “He didn’t change his mind. You only made him increase the price tag on your head.”
For a second, I almost smiled.
“That’s good news then,” I said. “It makes it harder for anyone to buy me.”
He stared at me like I had just said something stupid.
“No, Anna, you're wrong. It makes it worse. You’ll attract more powerful, more sophisticated cartels. The kind that make escape impossible.”
My throat tightened. I swallowed again.
Lucas softened slightly. “But don’t worry. I’ll try to talk him out of it, hopefully he listens to me."
“Do you really think Xavier would listen to you?” I asked. "Can you convince him otherwise?"
“I suggest you leave that to me,” he replied. “But there’s something else you need to worry about right now. Something important."
I folded my arms. “Tell me about it."
“Your identity," he said sharply.
My heart skipped so violently I thought he could hear it.
“I don’t understand,” I said carefully. “Why would I need to worry about my identity?”
“I don’t know,” Lucas admitted. “But Xavier thinks you might be hiding something. Your stunt last night might have impressed him, but it also made him suspicious."
"If you are hiding something, you need to tell me now before he finds anything suspicious. I might be able to help you," he added.
My pulse roared in my ears. There it was. The trap. Maybe he actually planned on helping, maybe he doesn't, but I rather not take the risk.
I forced myself to breathe normally. “There’s nothing to say. I’m not hiding anything.”
The lie tasted bitter. I prayed I wouldn’t regret it.
Lucas held my gaze for several long seconds.
“Are you sure?”
I hesitated. Just for a fraction of a second.
Then I nodded. “Yes.”
He exhaled slowly. “In that case… come with me.”
My legs felt heavier with each step as I followed him downstairs.
Xavier was seated in the living room, dressed in black on black, a glass of wine in his hand. He looked relaxed. Elegant and dangerous.
He smiled when he saw me. “Did you sleep well?” he asked smoothly.
“Yes,” I answered.
He tilted his head slightly. “I apologize for interrupting your morning. I just have a few questions about you. It would be in your best interest if you answer honestly.”
I nodded.
“Are you truly an orphan,” he asked calmly, “or is there more to your story?”
Fear tried to take over, but I refused to let it show. “Why would you assume there’s more to an ordinary orphan?” I countered.
His eyes flicked to Lucas briefly. Lucas’ face was unreadable.
“Because,” Xavier said, “I’ve had several spies sent to spy on me. Most of them claimed to be orphans.”
My palms began to sweat.
“Well, I’m not a spy,” I said. “And I was on my own. You basically snatched me away from my foster parent.”
A faint smile curved his lips. “On the contrary, love,” he said softly. “They gave you away.”
The words stung more than I expected. “Are we done here?” I asked, forcing my voice steady.
“Yes,” he said. “I’m done with the questions.”
Relief flooded me. I inhaled slowly.
Then he added, “If you don’t mind… there’s one more thing.”
My stomach dropped. “Which is?”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, a man walked into the living room carrying a laptop and a fingerprint scanner.
My heart nearly stopped. “What is this?” I asked.
“You have nothing to worry about,” Xavier said lightly. “It’s just to confirm if your words are true. I have access to a government tool used to identify spies. I paid a lot of money before the CIA gave it to me.”
CIA. My blood ran cold.
The man holding the laptop stepped forward. “I’ll need to scan your fingerprint.”
Everything inside me screamed.
If my fingerprint entered any real government database, there was a chance, a very small but dangerous chance, that something would come up.
Not as a spy. But something else. Something buried.
Xavier leaned back lazily in his seat. “Come on, little bird. Give him what he wants.”
Think, Anna. Think.
Running wasn’t an option. Refusing would make me look guilty.
So I did the only thing I could. I smiled softly.
“Of course,” I said sweetly. “I just didn’t know you cared this much about my background.”
Xavier’s eyes sharpened. He liked confidence.
I stepped forward slowly.
The man positioned the scanner on the table. My hands felt like ice as I extended one.