Page 33 of Barinov

“Look,” Daniel continues. “Bella is alive. And for all we know, she’s hurting. You two bitching about a past that none of us can change isn’t going to bring her home any sooner.”

Roman exhales and relaxes his shoulders. “You’re right,” he says, turning toward Lex. “So. What’s the plan?”

Lex straightens.

“Okay, well… Costa Rica,” he says, fumbling for the words. “That’s the first trial. Luca said he’ll send the coordinates before it starts. No clue what he’s going to make Cade do once we get there.”

The sick feeling returns to my stomach.

“So I want backup. Real backup.” He shoots a look toward Tex.

Tex nods. “Kenji and I will be in the sky. Our eyes scanning everything. We’ll keep you safe, Barinov.”

“Confirmed,” Kenji adds.

“Briggs and Khoza, I need you on the ground with us. Close enough to intervene if shit goes south.”

Khoza gives a quick nod. “You’ve got it.”

Briggs glances at Ellie, just a flicker, then back to Lex. “Just say when.”

Laing snorts. “And what about me?”

“Yeah,” Lex grits, rolling his eyes. “You’re coming too, jackass.”

Knox pushes his chair back slightly. “Nate’s going to run comms. He’ll be your lifeline out there. I’ve got to sit this one out.”

Lex’s brow creases. “Knox, I’d feel—”

“Look, now that we know it’s Jack,” Knox cuts in, rubbing his neck to ease the tension. “I have other angles I need to run. I gotta do a full sweep of the NYPD’s mainframe now. That shit’s gonna take some time.”

Nate nods. “He’s right, Lex.”

“Alright.” Lex shifts his focus over to O’Malley and Rez. “I need the two of you to stay here and keep an eye on the girls.”

Rez’s jaw tightens. “You’re benching me? To fucking babysit?”

“Not babysit,” Lex corrects. “I need someone who can keep them safe. Someone I won’t have to worry about while we’re out there doing God knows what in Costa Rica, Rez.”

Lex’s eyes trail to Ellie and Haley, curled up on the couch. “They both need to get back to school. Back to practice. Worlds is right around the corner and El—”

“I’m not going,” Ellie interjects, her blonde curls tossing as she shakes her head. “I can’t. N-n-not without her.”

I cross the room.

“Move,” I say, nudging August off the couch before sinking down between the girls, pulling my little sister snug against my side.

“Hey,” I murmur into her hair. “Sis, look at me.”

She shakes her head harder, tears spilling out in waves. “I can’t dance without her, Cade.”

“Me neither,” Haley whispers, curling the blanket tighter around herself.

“You’re not dancing without her, girls.” I swallow hard and pull Haley into my other side. “You’re gonna go dance for her.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a flash of movement as Briggs rises. He takes a few strides toward the couch, but Mom reaches out and rests a gentle hand on his arm. She smiles at him, shaking her head silently.

He dips his chin and turns to sit back down.