The Echelon

by Jillian Dodd

  None of which I set out to be.

  I just wanted to avenge my mother’s death. Be a covert agent. Fly under the radar.

  Later, I pull Belinda Smith aside. “What are you going to do after all this?” I ask her.

  “I guess go back home, try to go on. I’ve been talking to my old high school sweetheart, and he wants to take me on a date soon. I was also planning on looking for a job, but there was a really large donation to Bella’s fund.”

  “That’s not surprising,” I say. “Your daughter touched a lot of people with her strength.”

  “Was it you? After the church?”

  “No, it was me after your daughter told me at the Olympics how you had to quit your job, how money was tight, and how amazing you were to sacrifice for her. I made the donation because I didn’t want you to ever have to worry about money again. I also have an idea for a job for you, if you’re interested.”

  “What?”

  “Let’s start a superhero foundation. I’d like to see her way of fighting cancer spread around the world. We could give out superhero costumes or T-shirts. Maybe we can get a comic brand to donate them. Team up with a theme park. I see it being huge.”

  “Huntley, you’re amaz—”

  “No, I’m not. I just inherited a bunch of money. Your love for your daughter and the memory of her strength and grace through her battle is what will make it amazing. You can set up shop wherever you want, grow it big or small. I suspect Daniel and Lizzie would be willing to participate as well.”

  Belinda smiles. “Now, I can’t wait to get home.”

  “Why don’t you come meet President Ryan Spear? I might be able to get you a ride back to the States.”

  “On Air Force One? That would be unbelievable, but I have to take Bella with me. She was cremated. She told me she’d die if I buried her underground for all of eternity. She was a little claustrophobic. Hated having CT scans.”

  I think about the fact that Amanda Spear will be taken home in an urn.

  “She can ride home in honor then. I never would have figured it out had it not been for our conversation. Your daughter, Bella, is the superhero who saved the world.”

  The party is in full swing when everyone’s phones start dinging and vibrating with notifications.

  “Communications have been restored to Montrovia!” Terrance shouts.

  “I just got an update that says the king of Montrovia is about to do a press conference,” Olivia states.

  “Let’s watch,” Ari says, grabbing the remote and turning the television on while everyone gathers around.

  Watching Lorenzo is the last thing I want to do, so I discreetly move into the study where I find my father sitting behind what I now know to be his desk.

  He flicks on the television.

  “I don’t really want to watch,” I tell him.

  “Why not? You love Lorenzo.”

  “I think that maybe our love was not meant to be. You’ve heard of Stockholm syndrome, I’m sure.”

  “Are you telling me that you only fell in love and were married because of the circumstances you were in together?”

  “Possibly. I mean, he—was he invited tonight?”

  “Yes, of course, but it’s understandable that he’s busy, running his country right now.”

  “I suppose so.”

  He turns up the volume when Lorenzo and the Prime Minister appear on the screen. I expect Lorenzo to look happy, be smiling, but he still looks very grave.

  They announce that an antidote was discovered for those who were at the opening ceremonies and that the vaccine would have killed millions. They mention that the PureGen headquarters in London have been raided by British officials, as has any company that had ties to Dupree. They tell the truth about the coup being planned by General Agueda and give special thanks to Sophie Andersen and Prince Kresten for their part in all of this. They lift the quarantine on the country, reopen the borders, and warn countries with military assets in Montrovian airspace and waterways to leave.

  The Prime Minister moves offscreen, and we’re left with just Lorenzo’s beautiful face.

  “I want to personally thank everyone in our country for remaining calm in the midst of crisis—from the medical personnel who worked tirelessly to the citizens who opened their hearts and homes to our Olympic guests. There is a reason our country is loved by those who visit. It is because of you. May favor continue to fall on Montrovia.”

  “On that note,” I say to my father, “I’m finally going to bed.”

  A group of four men are gathered around a round table via virtual reality.

  The leader has yet to start the emergency meeting when Zayn Kipling speaks out of turn, “What happened? I thought our plan was foolproof. That there was no cure.”

  “There wasn’t a cure,” Maximillian Olivier states emphatically. “At least, that’s what Dr. Andersen told Marquis Dupree. What he neglected to mention is it was more poison than virus and that he could made an antidote.”

  “We failed then,” Sergey Olander says. “All this work and planning for nothing.”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Rutherford Elingston adds. “We still have the treasure and the power and control that comes with it.”

  “That is true,” Maximillian agrees. “And, fortunately for all of us, Dupree is dead, and the blame for this attack will be placed squarely on him.”

  “Unless they are able to trace who knocked out all communications to the country,” Sergey Olander says. “Because, if they can, I’m screwed.”

  “They won’t even think of that,” Rutherford Elingston says. “And, if they do, just say you were framed by the North Koreans or the Chinese or something. That you were hacked.”

  Sergey lets out a deep sigh, knowing he never should have agreed to do this. Hillford was dead. He should have gotten out then, but he figured the son of a gun would have risen from the dead and taken out his family. Actually, he should do it now.

  “I’d like to resign my position in the group,” he says boldly.

  “All right,” Rutherford says nonchalantly. “If that’s what you’d like. But you must join us in Florence, as planned, to return your ring in person.”

  “We will discuss new members and revise our mission,” Maximillian states. “Reducing the population and creating a new world order is still our top priority. It’s imperative we accomplish this for our children before the world self-destructs.”

  “I agree,” Zayn Kipling says. “And we must choose our new members wisely. I suggest we all come prepared with nomination ideas.”

  “We also need to determine if we are going to seek retribution against Sophie Andersen and if Huntley Von Allister was involved,” Rutherford says. “What do we know about our man in Ronda?”

  “We believe he was taken out by the military team who picked up Sophie and took her to the aircraft carrier in the Strait,” Maximillian says. “We still don’t know if Huntley played a role in this.”

  “And if she did?”

  “She will have to die, too. Of course, we’ll make it look like an accident. Or maybe suicide.” Rutherford’s face takes on a look of concern as he shakes his head. “The poor girl. She has no family to speak of. Probably suffers from depression.”

  Zayn rolls his eyes but nods. “Let’s decide their fate at the next meeting. The story will come out in the press by then.”

  Maximillian nods and then signals the end of the meeting by raising his cut-crystal glass filled with the rarest of all scotches into the air. “To Arcadia.”

  MISSION COMPLETE:DAY ONE

  On the next day, martial law in America and other countries is lifted. People are free to move about again and go on with their daily lives.

  The international stock markets and banks reopen, starting quite low but rebounding nicely—especially for Peter Prescott and Viktor Nikolaevich, who pooled their trust funds to buy as many shares as possible when the market opened and then sold them off for ridiculously large
profits before the closing bell.

  MISSION COMPLETE:DAY TWO

  On the second day, the massive task of discreetly moving The Echelon treasure back to Montrovia is started, being overseen jointly by Admiral Philipe Lamonte and Ares Von Allister. Their task is made much easier after Ares is able to override the security system at the TerraSphere so that no vault breach warning is sent to The Echelon, leaving them blissfully unaware of what is occurring.

  MISSION COMPLETE:DAY THREE

  On the third day, I receive a bouquet of flowers from the queen, thanking me for my service to her country. Sweet, but I was sort of hoping they would be from her son.

  Josh flies to Britain for further training, having been offered a job in British intelligence.

  MISSION COMPLETE:DAY FOUR

  On the fourth day, Daniel and Lizzie wed in a ceremony in our villa’s courtyard. They were planning to elope, but I put the kibosh on that, quickly recruiting the Kates to help us throw them a small but lavish event.

  I made sure Daniel’s and Lizzie’s families and close friends could attend. Even if it did mean Peter and Viktor renting a fleet of private jets to make it happen.

  With the weight of the world off our shoulders, everyone is able to relax and celebrate.

  It’s wonderful, spending more time with Daniel’s family, his father and grandparents, who I have grown to love.

  And it warms my heart to see Ares reconnect with his best friends, Malcolm and Aleksandr, for the first time in six years, and they quickly pull President Ryan Spear into their fold.

  Peter and Blair are here together, the latter having called off her wedding in the middle of the worldwide chaos, meaning it never hit the tabloids’ radars. Blair’s grandfather, Royston Bessemer, has become fast friends with the spy team who helped make this all possible.

  Viktor brought Isla Windsor as his date. While his smile isn’t quite as big as Daniel’s, it’s obvious that he’s finally moving on. Isla is completely enamored with him, and their chemistry is off the charts.

  My brother, Ari, and his new wife, Allie—who finally decided she would go with the name Allie Von Allister—are snuggled together in a corner, dreaming about all that is ahead of them in life.

  The girl who thought she was destined to be alone in the world is surrounded by family and friends.

  The food is amazing.

  The flowers and decor beautiful.

  The bride gorgeous.

  And the groom’s face is blazing with a smile, showing off both of his dimples all day long.

  Everything is as it should be. Everything is completely perfect.

  Except that Lorenzo isn’t here.

  I can understand why he didn’t attend the wedding, but at the same time, I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t.

  Unfortunately, the reason probably has more to do with me than the happy couple.

  I think back to after my first mission, how days went by before Lorenzo summoned me to the castle. I look down at the beautiful dress I’m wearing, a stark contrast to what I had on after my mission with Dupree, when all I wanted to do was get back here. To Montrovia. To Lorenzo.

  That’s still what I want.

  I’m just not sure that, after everything we’ve been through, if it’s what he wants.

  But I need to find out.

  For once and for all.

  If we are over forever or if this is just our beginning.

  I consider driving to the docks but choose to walk instead, knowing my feet will be killing me but sort of looking forward to the pain. I open the front door to find Lorenzo standing there.

  “You look tired,” I say, reaching out to touch his handsome face.

  “And you look utterly breathtaking,” he says, not moving any closer. “Was the wedding a success?”

  “It was. The party is still in full force. Would you like to come in?”

  “No, thank you. But I do have a question. Why did you open the door just now?”

  “I’m all dressed up,” I say softly. “I was getting ready to go out.”

  “Where were you planning to go?”

  “Well, there’s this secret entrance to the castle down by the docks I happen to know about. I was hoping to gain an audience with His Royal Highness.”

  “You were coming to see me?” he asks, looking serious.

  And hopeful.

  “Yes. But I wasn’t sure how I would be received. A lot has happened between us. A lot has happened, period.”

  “Yes, it has.” He points to a car in the driveway. “I came to pick you up myself.”

  “No driver? No security?”

  “Just me,” he says with a grin. “Remember the first time I was here? When I crashed your party and offered you a tour of the castle?”

  “I recall telling you that you would have to pick me up yourself if we were to go on a date.”

  “And, now, I am,” he says. “That is, if you would do me the honor.”

  “Where would we be going on this date?” I ask, cocking my head to one side, like I’m trying to decide if I should take him up on the offer. But the truth is, it doesn’t matter. I’d go anywhere with him.

  “Somewhere special,” he says, taking my hand and leading me to the car.

  He doesn’t say anything as he drives down the glitzy main street of the Montrovian capital and up the winding drive to the palace. He pulls his car onto the lawn where he had me park that day when we showed his father my car.

  Lorenzo is still silent when he gets out, comes around to my side, and opens the door for me. He takes my hand and leads me toward the turret.

  The perfect place.

  “Easy elevator or treacherous stairs?” he asks.

  “The stairs, of course,” I reply.

  He rolls his eyes. “I knew that would be your answer.”

  For someone who was trained to anticipate every move before it happens, I’m shocked when he sweeps me off my feet and carries me to the base of the staircase.

  “You aren’t thinking of carrying me all the way up there, are you?” I ask when he doesn’t set me down.

  “Oh, but I am,” he says with a grin.

  I know there’s no freaking way he’s going to make it to the top, but I’m in his arms for the first time in days, and I’m not letting go.

  He’s breathing heavily at the quarter-way point. I snuggle in closer to him, trying to make my body as small as possible for ease of fitting through the narrow staircase.

  At halfway, he stops to catch his breath.

  “I can walk the rest of the way,” I offer.

  “No. Lorenzo the Magnificent did this for his love, Marchesa, and I am destined to do the same.”

  “Destined?” I say with a laugh. “You asked if I wanted to go up the elevator.”

  “I had a moment of self-doubt,” Lorenzo says. “I feared you wouldn’t see me, let alone come to the palace. I feared that I’d ruined us. Crushed our love. Destroyed our trust. And I can’t go any further if I don’t know. Does your heart still flame for me, Lee, the way mine does for you?”

  The ocean breeze is strong, and I feel both breathless and scared that we could be blown off this piece of metal and fall to our death.

  And, if that were to happen, I’d want him to know.

  “I bought the dream dress,” I confess. “When you took the inoculation, I was out-of-my-head furious. Everything I’d worked toward to keep you safe—poof—gone. I didn’t realize in the end that I was going to have to save you from your stupid self. Not to mention, the whole it’s my baby thing.”

  “The look of betrayal on your face when you took the necklace off and handed it to me said it all. I’d thought you would know I was only saying it because you’d told me to lie about my relationship with Lizzie. I didn’t think I would ever see you again, especially once I heard you had managed to sneak out of the country. I envisioned that I would live my few remaining days with a completely broken heart.”

  “The scientist’s daughter was st
aying with a friend in London. Her flat just happened to be a few blocks away from the dress designer’s showroom. I realized then that, somewhere along the way, this all stopped being about my mother’s death. That my missions had become about us. That I couldn’t let the dream of being with you die. Even if you were an idiot.”

  “So, you bought the dress?”

  “Not only that, but I also allowed myself to try it on. It wasn’t finished the first time I had seen it. It pretty much is now. And it became my goal. Save the world. Save your country. Save the monarchy. Save you. Saving you was the big one though because I thought, if I did that, I could also save myself.”

  “What do you need saving from?” he asks.

  “A life without you.”

  “Lee, are you saying you still love me?”

  “I’m saying that my love for you has been the driving force in all of this. I see now why men go off to war to protect their families. I understand that, when you love someone the way I love you, you’re willing to sacrifice everything to keep them safe. Even yourself. That was my wish on my birthday—that we would be married, you and your country would be safe, and that you’d love me forever.” I pull his face closer and gently press my lips against his.

  “When we kiss, it feels as if I could fly,” he says.

  “That would be pretty useful right now,” I tease, looking upward. “If you have a heart attack, it would kind of ruin everything.”

  “My heart is full and strong. You mustn’t worry.” He gives me a beaming smile and continues his ascent.

  For this half of the journey, he doesn’t seem to be struggling nearly as much even though the light drizzle has turned into a full-blown rainstorm, complete with lightning flashing across the sky. But there is a bounce in his step, and he’s moving at a faster pace, possibly due to the fear of being struck by lightning.