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“You can go out by the pool. Just don’t go very far.” Cobra’s voice was resigned.
Nodding, I prevented myself from racing from the room, hating the fact I’d shifted into to a level of weakness that would make me seem frail. I was finished with playing the victim. I knew Cobra was doing everything to keep me safe and to determine the people responsible for destroying lives, and killing people because of what I’d discovered. The weight of their deaths was a noose placed around my neck, refusing to allow me to breathe normally.
The moment I entered the bedroom in order to grab a jacket, my gaze fell to the nightstand. As I’d done since my childhood, I processed as many scenarios as possible regarding decisions that I’d soon make. And in truth, I was pissed off as hell. Maybe I had been played for a fool, but far too much of this was farfetched.
The one decent piece of advice my mother had given me was to follow my initial instincts and that they would never lead me astray. I only hoped that was correct given what I was determined to do. If I was wrong…
No, the least I could do was to protect humanity. The fuckers would have to carve my brain into pieces to get the formula. I threw a look over my shoulder at the open door before moving toward the piece of furniture, yanking the bottom drawer open. Within seconds, I ripped the drive from the tape, squeezing it in my hand. As I stared at the plastic and metal, the overwhelming feeling of being uncertain what was right and what was wrong rooted me to the spot. To think I had such tremendous power in my hand was disturbing. How ridiculous of me to think I could discover and nurture such an atrocity without there being ramifications.
My mind remained in an ugly fog, drifting into an unwanted place. Had my professor, a man I’d looked up to more than anyone during college betrayed me? I couldn’t fathom it. Then again, it wasn’t every girl who believed her father could have something to do with the horrendous situation.
I shoved it into my pocket, grabbing the jacket Jeremy had provided before heading downstairs. When I walked outside, I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. Somehow, I felt safer with the drive close to me. There was no reason, but it added to my feeling of control. I’d never really had any in my life, my schedule and education, mealtime and recreation dictated to me until I finally moved into my apartment.
As I walked toward the pool, the sound of the ocean churning against the rocks correlated with my jumbled thoughts. I just couldn’t buy that people I’d spent months or years with could sell their souls to another country.
I heard footsteps and held my arms, refusing to turn around. As Cobra flanked my side, the small part of that wanted to remain annoyed couldn’t do it. He was doing his job, one that was likely more dangerous than he’d been led to believe. When he remained quiet, giving me my space, I couldn’t stand the tension between us for longer than thirty seconds. “I’m sorry, Cobra. I shouldn’t question your judgment.”
“Yes, you should; that’s your right, something I expect from you. However, you do need to place your trust in me completely. I know it ain’t easy for you. Hell, I couldn’t trust anyone at this point, but it’s vital in order to maintain a top level of security.”
“I have. It’s just difficult to comprehend the possibilities. Did you tell Jeremy I altered the formula already?”
He laughed. “I’m no fool, Isabella. I don’t care who he is or was to me, it’s classified.”
“I thought my work was. For him to initiate a search on my life from years ago bothers the hell out of me. It should you as well.”
“Jeremy is in a position in his life where securing information helps to keep him alive.”
“So he does the same thing you do?”
Cobra cocked his head, taking a deep breath. “In a manner of speaking.”
I was no fool either. The man was a hired gun for somebody. No wonder he had a system that rivaled the one in the laboratory. “I can’t stand the waiting, the worry. At this point, there isn’t a single person in my life who isn’t a candidate for treason.” His eyes flashed, likely from the vehemence in my voice.
“What I can tell you with certainty is that your father has nothing to do with this,” he said flatly, as if I’d be angry with him for supplying the information.
“You just think that.”
“No, I’m certain. I know that might not be what you want to hear, but you deserve to know the truth.”
I turned to face him. There was no doubt that’s what he believed. “How do you know?”
“It’s called investigation.”
“Do you think I want to believe my father is a monster? I don’t. I would love for the two of us to be close, but I don’t see that happening.”
“Give it time.”
Why did I have the feeling he wasn’t telling me everything? “I have given it time, but I will accept what you’re telling me. For now.”
He chuckled. “You’re not a very good liar.”
At least he made me smile. “How long do you really think we’re going to stay here?”
“As long as it takes until the threat has been handled.” He touched my arm. “Jeremy and I are going to take a walk around the perimeter. I need to see for myself if there are any weak areas that need to be reinforced.”
Just hearing his words made me shiver. “Okay. Why is this happening now? The election? Is this all about power?”
“If I had to make an educated guess, I’d say that’s exactly the reason why. Your father will upset the apple cart, at least in the international field. There’s a new political party trying to overthrow the current status of the Russian government. Your capture could have a profound effect on the upcoming election, which would in turn give them time to propagate your formula and eliminate enemies on their own soil.”
