Chapter 4

The transport pulled up with minutes to spare.

I was waiting in the foyer, suitcase beside me, when headlights crossed the glass. A black sedan halted outside the gates. Behind it came another car with two security officers.

The Moretti guards immediately approached.

They knew what kind of family lived here. No unfamiliar car came through unchecked. A federal officer presented his credentials. One guard called for authorization, listened, and moved out of the way.

Nobody came to my room to tell me I couldn't go.

I looked back at the house for the last time.

For almost my entire life, everything had revolved around this place. Being a Moretti had given me access, kept enemies away, and made strangers in Chicago speak more softly around me. Over the past three months, I'd learned that protection could be withdrawn just as easily when the family found someone more important.

I'd left the bedroom door open.

Nothing I needed was still in there.

At the entrance, an officer examined my ID.

“Alexandra Moretti?”

“That's me.”

“Your project designation will be used in official program records from here on. Your personal identity will be sealed for the closed research period.”

I signed the last transfer document.

He passed me a thin folder. “You've read the conditions. No visitors without authorization. No personal contact during the closed phase. Your location must not be disclosed.”

“I understand the terms.”

The other officer picked up my bag.

My phone vibrated as I walked outside.

For an instant, I expected Dante's name.

It was my professor instead.

Good luck, Lexi. You've worked for this.

I smiled before slipping the phone into my pocket.

They drove me to a private airfield outside Chicago. There were no airline counters or departure screens, no crowd waiting to board. Just federal staff and a handful of researchers selected for the same assignment.

While we waited for clearance to take off, the family chat began lighting up.

Bianca posted a photo of the dining room. White flowers covered the table. Below the Moretti crest stood a cake.

Mom insisted on a real welcome dinner tonight, she wrote. Lexi, you'd better be there.

Adrian sent a thumbs-up.

Nico objected to where they'd put his seat.

Julian reminded the chat about the old videos Bianca wanted.

Then Dante replied.

She'll come.

I read the two words over.

There'd been no question for me to answer.

He hadn't considered whether I wanted to attend.

He'd simply made the decision.

I turned the phone over.

After takeoff, clouds spread between the aircraft and Chicago.

I watched until the city was gone.

I'd thought it would hurt more than I could bear.

Mostly, I was exhausted.

For years, I'd weighed four other opinions every time I made a choice. Dante's approval. Adrian's objections. Julian's practical advice. Whatever joke Nico could make of it.

This time, my own answer was the only one that mattered.

I'd worked toward an opportunity like this for years. I'd started by teaching myself how firearms worked, then chosen college courses that would prepare me for advanced weapons research. Professor Harrison had recognized what I could do long before the Morettis understood why it mattered to me.

I hadn't let somebody else choose what I was leaving for.

I'd chosen it myself.

The sun was dropping behind the mountains when we landed at the western facility.

Cameras, fences, and armed guards surrounded the runway. Beyond them stood low concrete buildings. They looked more like part of a military installation than a university laboratory.

A project coordinator waited for us by the plane.

“Welcome to the Western Research Division.”

She checked her list and found my name.

“We'll collect your personal electronics as soon as you enter the secure area.”

I nodded to her.

She went on to the next person.

I stayed beside the aircraft, holding my phone.

I still had one thing to finish.

I brought up Forever Five.

My thumb hovered above my name.

If I left, I wouldn't be able to see where they were. They wouldn't be able to see me, either. More than that, I would be cutting myself out of the private network Dante had built around the five of us.

I wouldn't be able to slip quietly back into it.

I tapped Leave.

A message asked me to confirm.

Leaving Forever Five permanently removes you from this private network. Your emergency access will be revoked.

I read the warning.

Then I confirmed my choice.

The display refreshed.

My name was gone.

At that moment, Dante's phone let out its emergency alarm.