Chapter 278

Chapter 278
We ran the Lillian through their identities, and like the professionals that they are, they'd already memorized everything. They'd admitted that working with us had made them better, and for the first time, I was seeing it.

They were almost as synchronized as we are.

"Right! Jayme and Brady will be running comms and techs for you while the rest of us stay here. We'll be connected to their feed, but we won't be able to communicate with you. Trust your guts on this, and gather as much information as you can," Franco told them.

"This isn't our first mission," Zeya reminded.

"Except it's one of your most dangerous," Nigel countered.

Their arranged transportation had arrived and the six of them headed out once they were ready. I was feeling apprehensive about everything, so I headed outside to breathe and gather my thoughts. I wasn't surprised when my brother followed after me, and we both stood outside and took in the view, not saying a single thing.

Until he blindsided me.

"I think I found her."

I turned to him, wide eyed. "Are you sure?"

"I mean, she fits all the criteria. I've run everything through three times already and the results aren't changing. I got woken up by the notification this morning, but I didn't want to tell you anything until I was sure," he said.

"What does this mean?" I asked.

"It means we need to be rogues on an already rogue mission. We both know that no one else can know that she's alive because that will raise a whole lot of other questions, but we need to leave right now," he told me.

"We can't leave," I reminded.

"I thought you might say that, but you should know that according to my results, she'll be at that party. I know you're already worried about Lillian, so we may as well break the rules and just go," he pointed out.

I knew exactly what we had to do, but this was also something that could very well get me discharged from Cypher. There's a lot that they've put up with on my end, but this was just downright risky.

Except with what was at stake, I knew what my answer was.

"Did you get us suits?" I asked him.

"They're back at my place. We can make up some excuse about needing to head there to collect information I left there," he told me.

And it worked.

No one questioned why we were really leaving, and honestly, they didn't have any reason to. We didn't look the least bit suspicious. We drove to his place and quickly got ready to leave for the party. I was more anxious than ever as we finished up, both helping each other to put on our cufflinks.

"I got us onto the guest list using aliases, but given the size of this party, I doubt anyone will care about our back story," he said as he handed me my mask.

"Thank you Thales. I know you didn't want to do this initially," I said to him.

He smiled. "I should be thanking you for pushing me to. This could be huge, so we'd better leave before we miss our window."

He disabled any trackers on us while I cut off any feed connected to us. He was driving simply because my nerves were shot. We were about to make a huge discovery, but more than anything, I was nervous about seeing blossom.

Especially if she's had to get close to Lane for this mission.

I pushed the thought aside as we reached our destination. I needed to be focused for this, especially since I wasn't supposed to be here. The valet took the car keys from Thales before he and I headed to the door. We confirmed our identities and we were let in without being searched.

Which on its own was enough to raise alarms as we shared a knowing look.

I have no idea how to describe what happened next. Immediately, I turned slightly, and my eyes found my wife. She was laughing and she looked stunning in an emerald dress, and even though she was in a mask, I knew it was her.

As if she could feel the magnetic pull between us, she turned to face me briefly. She bit her lip, smiled and turned back to the people she was talking to.She knew it was me, just like I knew it was her- masks and all.

"That's the creepiest and most romantic thing I've ever seen. The two of you found each other in a room filled with more than a hundred people, with masks on," Thales commented beside me.

"It's a pull. I can't even describe it," I replied, my eyes now glued to the hand on her waist.

"Remain calm Xander. Remember that she's not the main reason why we're here," he reminded.

"I know," I said before heading towards the bar.

I needed something strong to drink if I was going to survive this party.

"Hi! Can I please get a chocolate martini?" my wife ordered beside me as I downed the vodka in my glass.

"Sure thing," the bartender said before going to make her one.

"You need to slow down there," she commented.

"Trust me. I need this to survive what my eyes are seeing," I replied. She made me laugh a little as she stuck her tongue out at me.

"What are you doing here?" she asked me in Greek.

Well that's new.

"I'm not here to disrupt your mission if that's what you're worried about. The Lillian are here for that," I told her, responding in Greek.

She shot me a sultry smirk. "Worried about me?"

"Always," I replied. We were still communicating in my home language.

"I'm fine Bond. I love you, remember that," she said as her drink arrived. She winked at me before walking away.

I should've known that she could speak Greek fluently.

Before I could do or say anything, the bartender who had served me told me that I was requested to go to the room on the card he'd given me. I didn't ask questions and instead headed that way, making sure that I could still feel my weapon in my shoe.

I opened the door and there were guards everywhere. Thales was also there, and his eyes were fixated on the teenage girl sitting in the office chair, looking like she runs the show. My eyes widened when she smirked since I understood why my brother was as shocked as he was.

"Hello Thanos. I hear you and Thales here have been looking for me."

"Rose?"