Page 42 of Beyond Oblivion

Liis chewed on the inside of her lip, trying to swallow my words. “You’re right. I’m sorry. But if Travis finds out…”

“Travis doesn’t know Abby’s helping?”

“No, and neither does Thomas,” she said.

I gripped the steering wheel and let my forehead rest against it. “Great. Add it to the list of things I’m keeping from people who will hate me for it later. You didn’thaveto tell me that part. I was fine not knowing.”

“Yes, I did. If you casually mentioned Abby’s involvement to Thomas or Travis under the mistaken assumption they were aware, Travis would put a stop to it. He won’t be able to see past his protective instincts long enough to understand that Abby’s input has been invaluable to this investigation and will result in his freedom. If Travis finds out, it’s all over. Our work will come to an abrupt halt. And you cannot, under any circumstances, tell Trent. I don’t care if he’s your husband, this isn’t your secret to tell.”

I scoffed. “I haven’t said anything in all this time, and you flew all the way here,thatpregnant, just to scold me?”

“No… maybe… if that’s what it takes.”

I shook my head, jerking the gearshift into Drive. “You are unbelievable.”

“Wait,” she said, putting her hand on mine. “I’m awful, I get it. But it had to be said. I had to be sure. The more people who know, the greater the chance Travis’s cover is blown. They won’t hesitate—they’ll kill him. Abby. The kids. Do you understand? So, yes. I’m sorry if you feel like I don’t trust you, but your feelings aren’t the priority right now.”

I sighed, putting my SUV back into Park. “Youput them in this position.”

“You don’t get it. Bringing Travis on gave him immunity for the fire. He was absolutely looking at prison time, Cami. Abby, too. She was looking at a laundry list adding up to an equal or longer sentence than Travis. Conspiracy, accessory after the fact, aiding and abetting, obstruction, failure to report, false statements to federal and local authorities, tampering, harboring...” she trailed off, noticing my increasing discomfort. “Glad to see this is clicking for you, Nancy Drew. Thomas tried to find another way, but the brass forced his hand. Abby figured it out and wanted to help so it’s over faster. Travis would’ve never agreed to her getting involved. Is it fucked up? Yes. But it’s a means to an end. If we couldn’t trust you not to—”

“I’ve given you no reason not to trust me!”

“Okay,” Liis said, holding her tiny palm out. “Okay, you’re right. I just had to be sure. I’m good at my job, and I love what I do, but believe me when I say thisisabout family. We’re not dealing with your average Most Wanted. These people filet babies in front of their mothers, they’ve staged coups to overthrow entire governments, and they have eyes everywhere, even inside the Bureau. It’s more dangerous than any investigation I’ve been a part of. We’ve already interrupted several channels for them, and they’d love nothing more than to make examples of us.

“Including you, Cami. If they even suspect you know something, you’ll go from being a potential target to being the bullseye. That also means your brothers, your mother, Raegan… Anyone you care about they’ll use to control you or devastate you into submission.”

My heart knocked against my ribcage, beating so hard I could feel my bones rattle with each pulse. “I understand,” I seethed.

Liis gave a single nod, then stepped out, disappearing into the convenience store to buy something she didn’t need. It was another lie, one of many Trenton would understand if he ever found out, but it would still sting—a betrayal wrapped in good intentions was just lipstick on a pig.

I couldn’t hate Thomas for pursuing his dream as an agent of the FBI, so I cursed the Bureau under my breath instead. A familiar, helpless anger bubbled, needing redirection toward an unseen enemy, reminding me of how Trenton described the way it felt to watch me writhe in pain every thirty or so days. Tears broke free, hot and heavy, spilling down my cheeks as I sat there, powerless against it all.

The passenger door opened, and Liis gracefully ascended into her seat, freezing when her eyes observed my wet, blotchy cheeks. “I hope you’re angry crying, because if it’s sadness or fear, I should warn you I’ve been told I’m about as comforting as a cactus.”

“I’m trying not to hate you both.”

She nodded, looking down at the small plastic sack in her hands. “We deserve that.”

I sighed, wiping residual tears from my cheeks and jawline. “So… how can I help?”

“By doing nothing.”

I closed my eyes. “Fuck you. Fuck you, Liis. I can’t just… do nothing.”

Liis’s voice was firm, not a trace of empathy softening her words. “Camille, you can hate me, but you’re going to hear me. I say this with love, but also with absolute finality—you don’t have a choice.”

“I lied before.” Another tear fell. “I could never hate you, but I’m going to resent you for this until it’s over.”

“That’s fair.” Liis sighed, her gaze steady. “But when itisover, and everyone’s safe, you have to forgive us, okay? Trust us, trust the process, and we’ll do whatever it takes to make it right.”

Her words took me by surprise, a glimpse of vulnerability breaking through her usual steel. I blinked, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Can you forgiveme?”

She sighed, a softness in her eyes I’d never seen before, as if she were grappling with her own memories, things she hadn’t said aloud. “There’s nothing to forgive, Cami. Whatever hurt I felt… it was never aimed at you. It was just the past casting shadows.

“You and Thomas loved each other, and in some ways, you still do. But it’s not the same—not like he loves me, or like you love Trent. That’s been so obvious over the years. It’s why I can understand the powerlessness you’re feeling right now, why you probably want to strangle me for what I’m asking you to do, and maybe even more for what I’m asking younotto do. I had to sit back, observe, only able to hope that my fears would be proven wrong. It’s the simplest of things that feel like the hardest part. But neither of you gave up on us, and here we are happy,” she cringed, “dodging bullets.”

I breathed out a laugh. As her words settled between us, I realized she was offering me something precious and hard-earned—a chance to be seen, not as a rival or a reminder, but simply as myself.

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