ISAAC

 

“You want out?” my handler asks.

I look across at the older black woman noticing there’s new lines around her eyes. Just over four years ago I met Doreen. I’m pretty sure that’s not her real name, but it’s the only one I know. She organised my release from prison, and since then she’s given me my assignments and dealt with any issues. I like her, as much as I can anyone in this environment.

Nodding, I don’t offer her words.

“You have never been the talkative type,” she says, her lips in a thin line as usual.

“You wanna get some knitting out and form a trust circle?” I ask, and this time her lips twitch as she fights a smile.

“Kane—”

“Isaac,” I interrupt.

“Not to me.”

“Kane doesn’t remain,” I tell her.

“As far as this department is concerned, Kane still does.”

“What department?” I question, knowing full well that Black Ops doesn’t officially exist.

Her lips purse in time with her eyebrow arching. “Fair enough, Kane,” she says making her point clear. “I will see what I can do. In the meantime, you are to keep cover and live here with Shelly.”

I rub my head, not happy with those orders, but knowing I’ll have to bite my tongue for now.

“Remember, if a command comes in, I will expect you to fall in line and do your job.”

I don’t speak as she gets up from her chair and walks out of the coffee shop. I watch as five operatives slowly follow her out. Then I shake my head blowing out a frustrated breath.

 

 

“What reason did you give?” Shelly asks.

“I told her my aunt has cancer.”

“So, no mention of Liv?”

“No. You know that wouldn’t have been enough.”

Shelly drops her head back on the chair. “Yeah, I know.”

I study her. There’s an exhaustion that rolls off her these days. “You want out,” I state. She blinks as if clearing the haze, surprise passes across her face. “I might live with you, but don’t become complacent about who I am, Shelly. I can read people, you know that.”

“I know,” she sighs. “And yeah, I want out too,” she whispers.

With a groan, I force my body to relax. We both want out, but it’s a longshot that either of us will gain our freedom. Fuck knows what’s going to happen. I need to focus on what I can deal with and right now that’s Via working as a stripper. Uncle Dane hasn’t said anything to my parents, but that would be because he’s preoccupied with Aunt Libby’s illness. I need to try to help him, but his problem is one I can’t fix. I know how much he loves her and years out of the business or not, I can imagine how suffocated he’s feeling unable to do anything and wanting to kill everyone. If it was Via? Well, I can’t think of her like that, or I’d tear everything apart.

“So, what are we doing tonight?” Shelly questions, pulling herself up from the armchair.

“I’m going to ShadowBox, you coming?”

Her eyes light up. “Fuck, yeah.”

I chuckle. Shelly isn’t into women, at least I don’t think she is, but I know that being cooped up in this house so much makes us all feel like caged animals. It’s good to let off steam once in a while.

“You want out,” I say, and her step falters as she walks away. Slowly she turns to face me.

“Yeah, I already said that.”

“Tell me, do you like my brother?” It’s a question I’ve never asked her before, but I see the way they look and flirt with each other, it’s hard not to notice—trained to or not.

Shrugging, Shelly opens and closes her mouth four times. I count. “It’s not a difficult question, or at least it shouldn’t be,” I tell her.

“It’s so much more fucking complicated than you’re making it out to be though, right?” she replies, leaning back against the wall.

“No.”

“No?” she asks sceptically.

“My parents know what we are, so does Toby.” I shrug.

“Yeah, but what about the rest of your family?”

“Easy, I publically dump you like a fucking dick and make them feel sorry for you. Then no one will care when you and Toby hook up.”

She shakes her head at me with a sad smile. “Worst idea ever, dickhead.”

“Okay, well you think of something better, and we’ll go with that,” I say with a wink, which I can see takes her aback as her eyes widen.

“Damn, Liv is a great influence on you,” she says softly. My eyes darken along with my mood, and Shelly holds up her hands. “Whoa, happy, it doesn’t hurt to smile.” She giggles to herself —fucking giggles—before walking off. My damn family has turned Shelly into Mrs. fucking Doubtfire.