Page 47 of Covert Past

Ellie’s gaze latched onto Boone’s. He shook his head, warningher not to give up Neesa.

A gunshot cracked the tension. The man holding Boone hit the ground.

Ellie’s shocked gaze went to the dead man staring up at them.

A heartbeat later, the world around them exploded in gunfire. Daniel released Ellie and spun toward the noise. Boone grabbed Ellie and dropped to the ground, shielding her body with his.

“What’s happening?” Ellie managed over the noise of war.

Boone held her close. “I don’t know, but I think the cavalry has arrived.”

The battle seemed to go on forever before the shots slowed down then ended.

Boone raised his head and then he whooped for joy. “There’s JT and Bryce and an army of people I don’t recognize, but they’re with my friends so they have to be the good guys.”

He got to his feet and helped Ellie up. “We’re going to be okay.”

Ellie quickly took stock to make sure the rest of their friends were safe. Daniel was being restrained by armed men along with the rest of his people and the one he referred to as ‘the boss.’ A woman Ellie recognized spoke to JT before starting their way.

“Neesa?” Ellie couldn’t believe she was standing face-to-face with the woman. Neesa had changed over the years. No doubt life undercover had taken its toll.

Neesa smiled. “Glad to see you’re okay, Ayla. We were afraid we wouldn’t reach you in time.”

Ellie struggled to make sense of what happened.

“Your commander reached out to us . . . actually, he called Gideon,” Neesa told Boone. “Gideon alerted me to trouble and asked for help. I was too late.”

“Daniel said he killed him because of the information on the drive.”

“He did. Daniel kept his secret identity hidden well. We had no idea he was alive until Mossad intelligence picked him up near where the peace talks were to take place recently. Wedid a facial recognition search and discovered we were dealing with a dead man.” Neesa watched as Daniel and his men were led away.

“He was the mole.” Ellie shook her head. “I can’t believe it.” She focused on the man Daniel referred to as the boss. “Is that?” she asked incredulously.

Neesa turned. “It is. Issam Rafiq. A high-ranking officer of Syrian Intelligence. After the location of the information drive was discovered, Rafiq knew it was far too important to leave in the hands of Daniel and his people, who had failed to get the information after countless attempts.”

Neesa shifted to Ellie. “We were never trying to kill you, Ayla. But we had to keep a close eye on your whereabouts to keep you and the information safe. We did—I did that by staying close to Issam Rafiq.” She shook her head. "Years of work to get close to Rafiq has been destroyed. My cover has been compromised. But we were able to uncover the plot Rafiq had put into place, and I have another mission to fulfill. The prime minister has asked me to take on Gideon’s position.” Neesa looked to Boone. “Your Mossad friend sends his regards.”

Boone inclined his head. “I should have known Tobias would talk.”

Neesa chuckled. “He alerted us to Ayla resurfacing and you asking questions about the case. With the intel we had on Daniel, we knew he was coming after you.” She turned to Ellie. “You’ve been cleared completely.” Neesa waited for the information to register.

After seven years on the run, her name was cleared. Ellie expected elation or at least a sense of vindication. None of those came. The man she once believed was the love of her life had played her. Gideon was dead. She’d lost seven years with her family.

“And I’ll need help in running Mossad,” Neesa continued. “We can use more strong, devoted women on our team.”

Ellie balled her hands into fists. After everything she’d been through, this was the moment she’d waited for, wasn’t it?

She wasn’t that woman anymore. The life she’d once lovedno longer held an appeal.

But he did.

She turned to Boone. The love she saw in him was all she needed.

“Thank you, Neesa. But I think I have a better offer.” She held her hand out, and Boone clasped it.

Neesa smiled. “I was afraid that might be the case. I don’t blame you. There is more to life than what we do here. So much more. Enjoy your freedom, Ayla, or whatever you wish to call yourself now.” She turned to leave and then stopped. “Oh, your family is waiting to hear from you. I’d call them soon. Seven years is a long time for silence.”

Tears filled Ellie’s eyes. “I will. I promise.”

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