Page 37 of Dangerous Mission

“Not sure who you’re trying to fool. You care about Mia, Casper’s little girl. Mom always told me you know when you find the one. You can’t control who your heart latches onto, even if you spend years denying it or running from your feelings. How you feel about the one person who wormed their way in will always be there.”

Angel eyed her for a second. “I’m not sure how to process any of this shit. For years, my goal in life was to take down the person responsible for my sister's death. I left the CIA because Xavier promised me vengeance. He knew my sister and me when we were growing up. Most don’t know, but Xavier is only a few years older than me, and we come from the same town. He had a close connection with my brother. Arden is still in the military but on the east coast. We don’t see each other much because he takes every deployment possible. I know he’s doing the same thing I am—trying to find Carter and take retribution.”

“I know you want to take down Carter, but would your sister want you to give up on happiness and push everyone away?”

“Xavier says the same thing. It’s easier to get him to shut up about it because he has a deep secret even I don’t know. For some reason, I think it has to do with a woman.”

“We all have secrets.” Terri paused. “Well, I try, but the media and the people around me make it hard. At least you have freedom. I know I sound like a spoiled brat, but I wish I could go to the grocery store and buy my own food. Someone always spots me. It’s always a person who either loves my father or hates his political views. Hell, I don’t agree with some of his views. I sure as hell don’t push the ones I don’t agree with, but everyone lumps me in with his whole agenda.”

“You do a good job hiding all this shit in your life. Before we even met, I followed you on TikTok. You’re passionate about helping others.”

“I wish I could do more. Right now, everything feels so out of whack, and I hate it.”

Terri’s phone buzzed with a text from Tex. He would be calling in a few minutes. “I meant to tell you when I came down. I got a message with a video.”

Angel reached out her hand, and Terri gave her the phone.

She watched the video a couple of times. “I know we talked about this before, but who are you close to? Even if you don’t think you’re close, but to the outside, it would look like you are.”

Terri took a deep breath a leaned back into the soft chair. The warm sun beat down on her as she racked her brain. “My assistant is new. She’s good, but we aren’t close, besides figuring out my schedule. Hell, everyone knows I ditch my security, so it’s not like it could be one of them. Nobody on the staff talks to me much, unless they need something. The closest friend I had was Hex. Look what happened to him.”

“Xavier reported they’re bringing him back. His kidnapping could be by design to get closer to you.”

Her gut told her Hex was after his sister. Which he wouldn’t need to do anymore. The only thing she didn’t know was how far Hex would go to get his sister back, and she hated how Angel had put doubt in her mind. The guy had only worked to help her. Not once had he asked for a handout or money.

“It’s not Hex.” Terri was positive.

Angel nodded before she watched the video again. “I’m sure Tex and the guys will pull this thing apart. What I want to know is why the person is sending it now. Are they worried about you? We’re missing something.” She handed the phone back to Terri.

The phone suddenly vibrated, and Terri smiled. “Good evening Tex.”

“Hello, Terri. The video was stripped of anything I could use to trace, and the account was created as a dummy. All the footage is from satellite feed. I’m going to narrow it down to which satellites were used and track it back to the person. This might take me a while, but I’ll figure it out.”

She clicked her phone to the speaker. “I figured. I have you on speaker. Angel is with me.”

“Hello, Grim.” Tex paused. “I have the list of the people you mentioned that you talk to in real life. What you didn’t say is whether you talk to, or associate with other influencers. I think we’re dealing with two different things.”

“You think the video of Axel and me, Hex’s kidnapping, and the other footage are three separate things?”

“Sort of. Hex’s kidnapping is separate from the video leak, but I think the footage given to you has something to do with the other footage. It’s someone who idolizes you or wants you out of the way.”

“Now what?”

“I’ll continue to dig. Axel is back. If you think of anyone, let me know.”

Social media was a crazy world. Tons of people on there hated her. They didn’t think her following should be as large as it was. Others thought it was unfair that she made money from the views, but every cent went to a charity organization.

She picked her phone up again and opened TikTok. Not very often did she watch videos talking about her. There were channels and people who dedicated their whole platforms to her life—reporting on everything.

Terri flipped through a few videos until she came across an influencer reporting on the incident in the parking lot. It wasn’t the woman who caught her attention but a man in the video. He was there for only a second. She rewatched the video and tapped the screen to pause. Terri couldn’t place where she’d seen him. She took a screenshot and sent it to Tex.

Another video played with someone going on about how Terri helped keep women in nightclubs from getting drugged. The whole channel was dedicated to her. A few of the women interviewed were some she’d helped.

Angel looked over her shoulder. “This video looks like someone followed you.”

The camera showed her at a club where she’d saved a person from drinking a spiked drink.

Terri wondered if the person had followed her more. A chill went down her spine as she thought about them watching her.

---