THE SECRETS WE KEEP

ouse cast long shadows, adding

r footsteps barely audible ov

ad taken positions around the

a’s lo

. If anything happens, fall b

ghtening on her gun. "I’

the room where Claudia’s v

left side while he took the

e before he kick

by her associates, a sinister s

dversaries," she purred. "I was

his eyes blazed with anger. "It

consider goin

oing off the walls. "Oh, Adria

I do, it’s nev

locked on Claudia. "You can’t

matter wher

by a cold, calculating express

have no idea what y

her associates raised their

ack down. The room was tense,

ice firm. "Stand down, Claudi

th defiance. "I’d rather

udia lunged for a hidden weapo

ushed Emma to the ground,

he shouted ov

est as she aimed and fired at

as far from over. Adrian rolled

with prec

rst into the room, their presen

associates were subdued,

glared at Adrian and Emma with

t. "This is f

yes cold. "It’s over for you,

ia, Emma felt a wave of relief

n her spine. This wasn’t the en

ba

e warehouse, the night air fill

nds brushing against each oth

o her, his expr

e asked, his

heart was still racing.

eyes dispelling some of the lin

remembe

was one of cautious optimism.

eeded to dismantle her entire o

e to take

pression a mix of relief and de

st. Her network is

y working on the next steps. "

And we’ll take down ev

respective tasks, Adrian and

outside, the night air

xhaustion catching up with her.

her, pulling her close. "Not y

at a

s filled with gratitude and lo

you, A

of hair from her face. "And I c

re a team

a promise of their shared futur

inst hers. "We’ll get t

f interrogations and operations

ed her network. Emma and Adri

ger with each

up another successful missi

taring out at the city. She ap

ot

r thoughts?" s

eflecting the city lights. "Just

. And how fa

n hers. "We’ve been through a

he

his voice filled with wa

moment, the city sprawling o

hey could face anything as

trembling slightly. "I’ve been

r, his expression s

art pounding. "I love you. I’ve

ne my life

r smile spreading across his fa

hing in t

d with all the love and promise

y were ready for wha

pared for another day of oper

e got a lead on Claudia’s las

already focused on the m

ded to the location, an old mans

vily guarded, but

was palpable. Emma and Adria

ched the main entrance

hispered

es filled with dete

ing down the guards with precisi

rooms and corridors, each one

where Claudia stood, her expres

ive up,

irm. "It’s over, Claudia. Sur

eful

r sound. "You think you’ve won

audia activated a hidden mech

and the walls st

ooked around for a way out.

, pulling her towards a

ing mansion, the walls closing

ed, their movements

air just as the mansion cru

but they knew she co

sion filled with determination. "

esolve hardening.

nd the other agents, their mi

ut they were closer than ever

confrontation, Adrian and Emm

her, their hands entwined,

said softly, "I’m glad

es filled with love.

omise of their shared future. A

ld overcome anything, as

g, but they were ready. With th

once and for