Page 135 of Rescuing Mia

Frowning, I unfold it. It’s a message written in a neat, precise hand.

Guardian HRS,

You have interfered with our operations for the last time. The girl was just the beginning. If you continue to stand in our way, if you do not cease your investigations into Sentinel, there will be consequences.

We know who you are, where you operate, and we have eyes everywhere, even within your precious organization.

Consider this your final warning. Stay away from Sentinel, or face the full might of our fury.

You can’t stop what is coming. You can’t protect everyone. Step back, or suffer the consequences.

-Malfor

My blood runscold as I read the words. I show the message to Blake, watching his face harden as he reads it.

“Who the hell is Malfor?” I ask.

Chapter Forty-Seven

RIGEL

“This is bad, Rigel,”Blake says quietly. “If Malfor has eyes inside Guardian HRS—” Blake suddenly cuts off whatever it was he was going to say next, and instead activates his comms. “Activate Protocol Zero. I repeat. Activate Protocol Zero.”

“What the fuck is Protocol Zero?”

“It’s a failsafe, a complete lockdown and investigation of all personnel in the event of a suspected breach. It’s a drastic measure, but one we can’t afford not to take.”

“I need more than that.” I feel two steps behind.

“Malfor is the mastermind behind Sentinel. We learned of his existence a short while ago. One of our operatives, Stitch, used to work for Malfor.”

“She’s a mole?”

“Not a mole. Not even in the slightest. Stitch is a good kid who got involved with the wrong people. She hacked into the NSA and was caught for crimes against the U.S. Mitzy recruited her not too long ago. We took down a human trafficking operation called the Citadel with her help, and then we discovered they were working for Sentinel. In addition to the human trafficking, there was organ harvesting and identity erasure.”

“Erasure?”

“Plastic surgery to permanently alter the women who were sold.”

“That’s monstrous.”

“After that mission, Malfor sent Stitch a message.”

“Blake, I need to be briefed on Sentinel, Citadel, and whoever this Stitch is.”

“Agreed. But not here. Not now.”

As the emergency response teams finish their work, Guardian HRS personnel are finally released. It’s time to leave.

We secure the scene. The assassins’ bodies are removed. The house is cleared, and the vineyard is once again silent. Tomorrow, my sister will receive a fat check from Guardian HRS for remodeling.

Blake and I, along with the rest of Charlie team, regroup and head to our vehicles. As we drive back to Guardian HRS, the weight of the recent events and the note from Malfor hangs heavily in the air.

When we arrive at Guardian HRS, there’s no downtime. We’re immediately ushered into a secure debriefing room. The leadership of Guardian HRS joins us, including Forest, Skye, Sam, CJ, and Mitzy.

Mitzy brings in Stitch, a striking young woman with long, raven-black hair and a goth vibe that contrasts sharply with Mitzy’s colorful pixie cut.

Sam stands at the head of the table, his expression severe. “I’ve read the message,” he says without preamble. “This changes everything.”

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