Chapter Fourteen: Dinner Invitation

MAX'S POV

Killing grown men isn't much different than killing kids. Both leave scars that can't be healed or noticed. I am covered head to toe in invisible scars.

I've only been working for the Admiral for a few months but I've killed so many people that I've lost track. The Admiral says it's for the greater good, killing a bunch of evil men and women who want to hurt the good. From my point of view, though, it's all the same. It's murder.

My last victim was a thirty year old woman who had two daughters, both younger than me. One evening, their mom was home, the next morning she was found dead in the stream nearby. I watched from the trees as they cried and cried, hugging each other for comfort. It only adds to the guilt weighing on my conscience. All those kids, all those adults.

Maybe Jeb was right. I don't deserve happiness.

"Max?" A knock sounds at the door followed by it opening up slightly. Isa smiles, walking in and sitting next to me. I've been staying with her family -her daughter, the husband and their two kids. Isa's husband died several years ago. They're all really nice but I feel like I'm imposing all the time. "How are you doing, sweetie?"

I smile softly. Several weeks ago, I finally spilled my guts to her about all the horror I have committed. At first, she didn't say anything but her face said it all. She was both terrified and sad. She feels bad for me because she believes that it wasn't my fault. Then I told her what the Admiral has me do and her mood turned angry. She doesn't think I'm a murderer even if I am. She thinks I'm a broken girl who has suffered too much. She may be right but so am I.

"Pretty good. The last mission was really hard." I admit. I can trust Isa especially after she treats me the same as before I told her the truth. She cares about me even though I'm not really sure why. I'm not a very good person.

She nods in understanding and doesn't press the issue. We both don't like to go in depth about my job. "Alright. Well, come down for dinner. The Admiral is here."

I tense slightly. "The Admiral is here?"

She smiles sadly. "I'm afraid so. He has something to talk to you about and Lily invited him in to eat."

"And he said yes?"

She nods. "His wife just arrived to eat with us as well."

I sigh and we both stand, walking out of the room and down the hall. The smell of chicken fills the air and I can make out the Admiral's soft but booming voice. When we come into view, he smiles at me but his eyes are weary. Ever since he saw me kill on one of my missions, he has kept a closer eye on me. He doesn't trust me but that's understandable. Even though I'm abnormal, no eighteen year old should know how to kill as well as I can.

But it doesn't matter what he thinks. I'm only here to find Jeb. Sadly, we aren't any closer to finding him than when I agreed to work for the Admiral.

I greet him and his wife, a really sweet older woman, before sitting down next to Lola, one of Isa's granddaughters. She's a few years older than me and she doesn't like me very much. Lila, the other granddaughter, comes to sit on the other side of me. She is a year younger than me and luckily, likes me more than her sister does.

I fill my glass with some punch from the pitcher as everyone takes a seat. We all serve ourselves as we make light chatter. The air is a bit awkward but no one does anything about it so we eat and talk quietly.

I'm silent throughout the entire dinner until right before dessert when the Admiral pulls me aside. He pulls out his work device and starts talking quietly.

"I have a new mission for you," He pauses, pressing a few buttons. A profile fills the screen. My breath halts. It's my mom. "This is Doctor Valencia Martinez. She has one biological daughter and five adopted children -two girls and three boys. We think she knows the current location of Jeb."

I look at him, shocked. My brain can't comprehend the information he has just given me. "The location of Jeb?"

He nods. "Yes. They had an affair years back but lost touch. We think they have started communicating again."

I'm almost afraid to ask. "So what do you want me to do?"

"I need you to get to know her oldest kids," He presses a few buttons and two profile pictures take over the screen. My eyes widen and my heart is racing. Iggy and Fang. "These are her two oldest, both eighteen. I need you to attend school, befriend them, get inside their house and find information on Jeb. This is it, Max. The opportunity you have been waiting for. Afterwards, you are free to walk away."

"Wait. . . hold up. . ." I hold my hand up, silencing him. My messed up brain can't process all that is happening. School? Befriend? School? "You want to send me to school and befriend them? Why can't I just search the house?"

Anything but face them. I can't do it. Especially if I have to pretend I don't know them. This won't end well. "You can't search without a warrant, Max. Plus, we need a valid reason to do it anyway. If anything, everything works out perfectly. My grandson is friends with them. I'm heading down there for Thanksgiving break and I already invited them for dinner, the friends included. I was already planning this mission before you signed on."

"Wait what? How long have you had this information?"

"A few months but I wanted to be sure about a few things first."

I don't question it because quite frankly, I don't want to know. "But why do I have to go to school? And how will that work? Are you and your wife just going to up and move? Where am I going to live?"

"I was offered a position down there and I took it. I have some friends that happily said they'll watch over you until you get the information on Jeb."

I groan, rubbing my forehead. This can't be happening. "Is there a problem, Max?"

I can't let him know my personal connection to the mission. It could jeopardize everything. "No, no. Everything's fine. How long could this mission last?"

"However long it takes you to become friends with them and get into the house."

This'll never work. They'll recognize me instantly. Unless . . . "When do we leave?"

"Three days time."

Three days? Wow, thanks for the heads up.

"I'll be ready." He nods, putting his work device away before walking back to his wife and saying his goodbyes and thank yous.

I stay where I am, thinking. I look up to see Isa staring at me with a concerned and questioning look. I sigh, motioning for her to come over. She drops her cloth on the table.

"Is everything okay?"

"I'm leaving and I have no idea how long I'll be away for."

She nods. "Another mission?"

"Yes, but this one is different." She gives me a skeptical look as I smile sadly. "And I need a few favors."