Page 45 of Protect Thy Enemy

“It’s okay, honey, you shouldn’t keep working so hard. What does Leo have to say about this? I can’t see him approving of you working yourself like this.”

Her words knock the air out of me. My chest tightens, and I blink, trying to process the name. “Leo?” I ask, keeping my tone light.

She has never mentioned anyone named Leo at all in the past two years I’ve been coming to see her. I try to pick apart the last twenty-six years of my life, searching for the name in my memories, but have no luck. I don’t recall Mom mentioning anybody by the name of Leo.

“Yes, Leo!” Her voice softens, her lips curving into a wistful smile. “You were so in love with that boy. He’s a brave one, isn’the? Always running off to that job of his. Dangerous work, but I can tell he adores you just the same.”

I stare at her, my heart pounding in my ears. I’ve spent my entire life wondering who my father was, asking my mom questions she never answered. Could this be him? Could Leo be the man she never wanted me to know?

“Gran,” I say carefully, leaning closer. “What do you mean about Leo’s job? What did he do?”

Gran tilts her head, confusion clouding her face. “You told me once he worked for the government. Something important. But you stopped talking about him after…” Her gaze drifts back to the window.

“After what?” I press, trying to keep my tone as neutral as possible.

Gran blinks, her expression going blank. “Oh, Annie, you always were so curious. But don’t you remember? I shouldn’t have brought it up.” She pats my hand absently. “You’ll sort it out. You always do.”

My throat tightens, and I blink back the tears forming in my eyes. I force a smile as I watch her drift back into her thoughts. “Yeah, Gran,” I whisper. “I’ll sort it out.”

Then, as if on cue, she goes back to the usual conversation. She tells me about her life and tells me stories I’ve heard and clung to for years. And at the end of the visit, she asks if I’ll be back.

And like every other time, I answer yes.

The drive back to my apartment is a blur. Gran’s words echo in my mind, overlapping with the memory of every time my mother avoided my questions about my father.

Leo.

I glance at the badge on my passenger seat, its gold lettering glinting in the fading light.Special Agent Arden Williams.I fought tooth and nail for this job and clawed my way into the White House like it was the only thing keeping me afloat.

Maybe it is.

My phone buzzes on the seat. It’s a text from Luna:It’s your neglected bestie. Come eat with me before you forget how to socialize.

I huff a laugh and toss the phone aside. If she knew what was swirling in my head right now, she’d pull me into one of her armchair therapy sessions and demand answers I don’t have.

Instead, I park in my reserved spot in my building’s parking garage and lean back in the seat, staring at the skyline. Gran’s words feel too big to ignore.

If Leo was my father, if he was connected to the government, could he have walked the same halls I do now?

Could the answers be closer than I think?

***

I walk into the debriefing room, my stomach twisting with nerves I can’t name. Grant is already there, leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed. He glances up as I enter, his expression unreadable, his gaze sharp as it cuts across the room.

“Williams,” he says, his voice low but clear.

“Grant,” I respond, trying to keep my tone neutral.

He doesn’t speak immediately. He just watches me like he’s waiting for something, maybe for me to break, to show him some sign that I’m not as composed as I want to appear.

“You’re late,” he says after a beat, his words deliberately cutting.

I glance at the clock on the wall. “I’m not late. It’s thirty seconds past the minute. You need to relax.”

Grant raises an eyebrow, his gaze never leaving mine. “Thirty seconds could cost someone their life in the field, Williams.”

I ignore him and the tune of his broken record. Not trusting myself not to get written up. Harris’s voice drones out as I tryto focus on listening to the president’s schedule for today, but I can’t concentrate.

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