Rhys

My sister has been trying to get me to take a job at Corrigan & Co. ever since rescuing me in Norwich last year. Despite the fact that I have a place waiting for me at our family’s company, she’s wanted me here with her. Not exactly with her, because I’m not a female spy, but working in the same building. I don’t know if it’s just because she wants to keep an eye on me, or if she wants me away from our family, but right now it doesn’t matter.

I’m here for answers, and I’m not going to give up on getting them. One month ago, Vivienne disappeared, and rumor has it, she was last seen with Reina Corrigan. The talk of the town is that she not only got a restraining order against her husband, but she’s divorced him as well. Or rather, she’s trying to divorce him. The bastard’s fighting her—and looking for her too.

That’s where I come in, but not really. My parents tried to pressure Rhieve for info, but she wouldn’t break. When they called me I pretended to go along, but I’m here for me, and not them. No way in hell am I going to tell them where Vivienne is when I find her. I will find her, and ask her to tell me what Christon did to her, and then I’m going to kill him. Whatever he did to make her run and hide has to be bad, and for that, he’s going to pay.

“Rhys,” my sister says, running past the security desk to hug me. “I’m so glad you’re finally here.”

“So am I.”

“You’re going to love working with X. I mean, he’s a little quirky and rude sometimes, but you’ve been working with computer guys long enough to know how to deal with that.”

“Yeah. Some guys are just more comfortable with a keyboard than a human, but there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Xavier James is arguably the best hacker and programmer on this planet. He came out of his own hiding to work here, and I can almost guarantee he’s helping to hide Vivienne—and other people the C&C Foundation, and the Society protect. The foundation does it publicly, while the Society is the secret part of this place; the place spies, like Rhieve, inhabit. Yep, my sister’s a spy, and she loves every second of it. But she loves me more, and I’m going to get her to tell me what I need to know.

“Where is she?” I ask, as we get on one of the elevators.

“Who?” she counters, looking straight ahead.

“You know who. Vivienne.”

“I have no idea where she is.”

She turns to face me as she says it, and I see the truth in her eyes. She doesn’t know, but she knows who does.

“Who hid her?”

“I thought you were here because you wanted to finally get away from them, but you’re here for our parents.”

“No, I’m here for me. You know what she meant to me back then. Hell, you helped us sneak out together more than once.”

She sighs. “A long time ago, I thought you’d be the one she’d marry.”

“So did I.”

“I wish she had.”

“Please, Rhieve. I have to know she’s okay.”

“I honestly don’t know if she is. I don’t know anything.”

“I’m going to find out on my own then.”

“Rhys,” she implores, putting a hand on my forearm. “No.”

“I love her. I’ve always loved her, and I need to know she’s safe. That’s all.”

“You cannot poke around here to try and find out information. X will be watching you, and Reina won’t be forgiving if either of them catch you.”

“It’s a risk I’ll have to take.”

She looks up, and I know she’s looking towards a camera I can’t see. I don’t care if whoever’s watching knows. I don’t care if X and Reina know. All I care about is Vivienne. I wasn’t man enough once to fight for what I wanted, but now I am—I have to be, because I think she needs it even more this time.

Viv

“Order up, Viv.”

I drop my order pad into my apron, and walk over to grab the food. Three weeks ago, I could barely walk after a long day of waitressing, but now I’m used to it. Spinning classes and yoga can’t prepare you for being on your feet all day and I’ve gained a new appreciation for those in the service industry, while hiding out in this small town.

Gone are my blonde hair, blue eyes, pearls, and designer clothes. They’ve been replaced by brown hair with caramel highlights, green contacts, cutoff jean shorts, and tank tops. Oh, and let’s not forget the tennis shoes on my feet, which are definitely not of the designer variety. I love it all, and wish I’d been strong enough to break free long before I did.

I knew Reina would help me, but I had no clue how fast things would move, or how thoroughly her organization would hide me. After excusing ourselves to use the Ladies Room at the gala, I was whisked out a side door and to the C&C building. There, Stella, who’s a famous stylist and married to a rock star, met me and gave me my makeover. By the time we’d picked out a new wardrobe for me, I had a new driver’s license and credit cards in the name we’d chosen. Viveca Moore is far enough from Vivienne Sloan, and they knew I needed something I could answer to, so that’s who I am now.

Once the new look and identity were created, Ainsley Martin and Xavier James met with me to go over a backstory, and job history. I’d never seen hackers in action before, and while I don’t understand what they were doing, I all of a sudden had a credit history, job history, and an education I never completed. I felt a small pang of loss over not being an Ivy League grad any longer, but not enough to override the relief at getting my freedom.

From there, I was taken down into an underground garage, and transported to a safe house. It was small and sparse, but no one found me, and that was more important than having a fancy couch. We let a few days pass before I was brought one town over from here, and given the keys to an old pickup truck by X himself. I know I owe him so much, and I don’t know that I’ll ever see him again. But again, my freedom is worth more than anything else right now.

“Here you go,” I say, setting the plates on the table in front of some regulars at the diner. I hear the bell on the door, and turn to tell whoever it is that I’ll be right with them. The words die in my throat as I lock eyes with Calum Benson. He shouldn’t be here.

I grab the coffee pot as he takes a seat in one of the booths lining the windows. “Thanks,” he tells me, as I pour him a cup.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, because I know it’s no coincidence for him to be here.

“The Eclipse.”

“What about it?” I know it’s passing through here, but so what?

“Some scientist mentioned this town as one of the best places to see it, and the world is listening. This town is going to be filled with media in a few days.”

My heart sinks as I realize what that means. “And this is the only diner in town.”

“Yeah.”

“When do I have to leave?”

“As soon as your shift is up. I’m going to stay here with you, and Camari’s at your place, packing everything up.”

“Camari?”

“She’s part of the Foundation.”

“I know who she is, but why isn’t it Rhieve here with you?”

He looks away, and I know the answer before he says it. “They’re watching her. She could slip away, but that would only make them look harder at her.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. We’re both happy to have you safe, but there is one other thing you need to know. Rhys has taken a job with X at C&C. He swears he’s there because he’s worried about you, and not because his parents sent him.”

“I want to believe that.”

“So does Rhieve, but she didn’t tell him anything.”

I nod. “I’ll think about what to do. In the meantime, I need to get back to my customers, and tell my boss I’m quitting. Do you want something to eat?”

“A slice of pie would be great.”

“You got it.”

I walk away, trying to process what’s happening. I have to go somewhere. I don’t know where yet, but I don’t doubt I’ll be safe. What I doubt is Rhys really being at C&C for me.

He was the first boy I ever loved, and we were so happy together, until we weren’t. I once believed he was on my side, but he proved he wasn’t, and I don’t know if I could survive a second betrayal from him.