Page 35 of The Prom

Her smile surprises me as she chuckles, “Ryder must be losing his shit, knowing Cassie is in the thick of a mission.”

“You could say that.” I grin. “It’s the reason I’m here. He loves his daughter, and she’s happy here and if she considered for one minute he was removing her from Rockwell, he would never hear the end of it.”

“And Jack doesn’t even know? I would have thought he was your obvious choice, given he’s heading to the military and keen to prove himself. Why me? I thought I’d be your last option.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Imogen. You are the perfect operative who will fly under the radar with no suspicion at all. Sometimes the obvious isn’t the best choice. It’s the one who has nothing to hide who makes the most difference.”

“Okay.” She smiles. “I’ll help you—whatever it takes.”

She points to her coffee. “I could use another one of these.”

“Sure. If you like, there is a diner not far from here and we could grab some food.”

“But the warehouse?”

“Was an excuse to get you alone and away from Rockwell.”

“And the prom?”

“That was true. It was the perfect cover and your idea was a good one. Ryder put Bonnie onto securing the props. She loves that shit and it will all be delivered right on time and invoiced accordingly.”

“That’s Ryder.” She rolls her eyes. “And you, is Drake Bellingham your real name, or did he fake that along with your qualifications and resume?”

She has definitely been around the Reapers too long and I wink.

“My name is Drake, but it’s Drake Fielding.”

“That’s good to know.”

I resist the urge to reach out and cup her pretty face in my hands and reassure her that I would kill for her. Nothing will stop me either because if Imogen is in the vicinity of danger, I would shred bodies to save one hair on her head.

For a moment, we share a longing look that speaks way more than any words. This is an impossible situation but a necessary one and I have no business dragging her into my world because when this is over, I’ll be heading off on my next mission and she will be beginning her future that will ultimately be with anyone but me.

SEVENTEEN

IMOGEN

My head is spinning. We leave the gas station and head north on the interstate to a small town nearby. We end up at The Road Shack diner and as we settle in a booth near the back, there’s an awkward atmosphere between us.

We study the menu and after making our selections, the waitress heads off and Drake stares at me with concern.

“Now is your chance to ask any questions. When we return to Rockwell, we must communicate via text only and then delete the thread when it finishes.”

“I get the idea.” I rest my elbows on the table and stare at him with interest.

“So, what must I do first?”

“Carry on as before, but now you are aware of what’s at stake. Second guess everything Jesse tells you and don’t be alone with him without others within shouting distance.”

He says firmly. “Definitely don’t agree to go anywhere out of the academy with him unless Cassie and Jack are with you and watch your drinks in case he spikes them.”

“Seriously?” I can’t comprehend what I’m hearing, and yet Drake’s expression is grim.

“It’s how they control their victims. Jesse was drugged by Jenna and still is, to a degree.”

I cast my mind back on the glazed expression in Jesse’s eyes when he heads back from wherever he’s been, and it all makes perfect sense.

“You think he will drug me and–” I can’t even say the rest of the words and Drake nods.

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