The Safehouse

Savigny, Savigny, Vaud, 1073 Switzerland

9 A.M. (Day before The Party)

Cammie attempted to roll over in the bed in an effort to get more comfortable when a sharp pain coiled through her shoulder. The remnants of sleepiness she felt had gone by the time she opened her eyes again, blinking away the burning sensation in her eyes.

Tears. They were tears, she knew that. She wanted to cry. She doesn't really remember the last time she cried that didn't come from weird dreams and nightmares. Her gaze landed on Zach who was still peacefully sleeping beside her, having chosen to stay with her.

"You're my partner, Gallagher Girl," He'd said and if her heart skipped a beat when he said that then he didn't need to know. She blinked the tears back and attempted to focus her mind elsewhere.

Except it didn't get any better. She'd been shot. She could've died. She knew she needed to profusely thank Liz and Jonas, who besides being technical analysts, were trained in emergency medics. She remembered Liz's frantic voice as Jonas stopped her bleeding and patched her up.

"That was close. A bit more and it would've hit the brachial artery. Jonas, we could've lost her-"

"Lizzie. She's ok and alive. Let's focus on that. We'll need to hide her wound and keep her safe the best we can."

The best we can.

That's really all they have. Realistically, she knew that perhaps in three weeks she'd be good as new. She snuggled further into the sheets, risking a quick glance at him. She pursed her lips. Realistically speaking, she doesn't even know if she has that kind of time.

The party's tomorrow. Her brows furrowed. They needed to get back to the Clark's residence soon. She felt Zach stir beside her, murmuring a groggy "morning" before closing his eyes again.

She smiled. Maybe this is what it would be like if she had someone to wake up next to. But it was a different kind of fortitude and bravery to find someone to love wholeheartedly in this business. To fully commit your heart to loving someone you're unsure you'll ever see again the moment they step foot outside of the house.

It's a pessimistic thought, Cammie knew that. But in moments like these when she was reminded of her own mortality she couldn't help but float towards her more morbid thoughts. She tried not to because when she thought like that she thought of her father.

He left you. He used you as a cover at the circus. The darkest corners of her mind whispered. She couldn't deny that it wasn't wrong but at the same time it wasn't right either. She knew her father. He'd devoted himself fully and freely to her, always seeking to cause mischief with her. He'd indulge her in whatever interest she had and he'd give his life for his family. He was affectionate and had promised to give her and her mother the world. But she acknowledged he wasn't perfect and that he, at the end of the day, was still an operative. She knew how the mind went racing for what's right, the need to serve and protect.

Because while Matthew Morgan had devoted himself to protect and serve his country, he'd also pledged to protect and serve his family, his friends. Joe.

He'd always seen the best in people. That's why he wanted to take down the organization that had taken so many years of his best friend's youth, that's why he'd forgiven Joe when he found out he'd been betrayed and agreed to help stop the Circle once and for all. To make sure something like them would never touch his daughter's life. He forgot though, she thought as she fiddled with the bedsheets, that I always wanted to be like him.

He made her who she was. She remembered him teaching her some sparring moves and glaring at her when they'd got called in because she'd used those moves on a kid who'd been bullying her.

"Matthew, honestly, what were you thinking teaching her those moves?" Her mother had whispered annoyed as she'd held Cammie's hand as they walked towards the car.

He'd glanced at Cammie, shaking his head disapprovingly before winking as he turned to his wife. "I didn't think she'd use them! Rachel, I swear! But that little shi-"

A single glare from her mother had had her father quickly amending his sentence. "She was pulling our daughter's hair. Bullying her. She needed to defend herself."

There'd been a hint of amusement in her mothers eyes as she watched Cammie let go of her hand to go over to hold her dads. One glance and she'd known her mother couldn't help but laugh a little, the annoyance being replaced by the fondness she felt for her little troublemakers.

"Like father like daughter," She'd murmured under her breath, watching Matthew grin as he spun Cammie around, her laughter filling the air.

"Never again." She pointed at Cammie, who had looked her dad in the eyes before nodding stiffly. Her mom had smiled at that before winking and asking, "Movie night?"

Beside her, the weight of the bed shifted. "You alright?"

Zach's voice broke through her nostalgia and she saw his eyes widen in alarm.

"Mm? Oh sorry. I was thinking about my dad."

He opened his mouth to say something but she smiled softly. "It was a good memory, don't worry."

He nodded before glancing at her shoulder. She gave him the I'm-Fine look and he chose to let her have peace. He knew how exhausting it was but he couldn't help the worry.

There was a knock on the door and Zach quickly sat up, looking like he'd been burned. Grant had swung the door open and was standing there smiling at them. Cammie raised an eyebrow amused as he pointed an accusing finger at Zach.

"You left me all alone on the couch, how could you?"

Cammie stifled a laugh as Bex called out, "Cammie! Don't break them up. Grant will die of heartbreak!"

Zach groaned, burying his head into his hands. Grant let out a laugh and Zach looked up grinning. He sat on the edge of the bed, nodding his head towards Cammie. "Don't tell me…"

Zach's cheeks tinted red as he chucked a pillow at Grant. Cammie felt herself turn red before she burst out laughing.

This feels nice, she thought. Almost like we were all just a group of friends hanging out.

Grant turned his blue eyes towards her and smiled. "Breakfast is ready. Heard from a reliable source of mine that you liked waffles."

Cammie grinned, pointing a teasing finger at him. "You mean your girlfriend?"

Grant's eyes widened before leaning in and whispering as if they were conspiring, "How'd you know?"

They both looked at Zach, who raised an eyebrow, before smirking. Cammie pointed at herself, looked Zach in the eyes and winked, "Spy."

He shot them an exasperated look and shoved Grant out of the room who simply let his best friend push him out, laughing as he went.

He turned to Cammie and crossed his arms. "Are you sure you're not stealing Grant from me?"

Her eyes sparkled in the daylight as she smiled widely at him. "And ruin your years long bromance? I thought you knew me better than that."

He rolled his eyes, a fond smile playing on his lips as he helped her get up. "Now. I heard something about waffles being on the menu?"

Cammie winked at him. "That man could cook anything, I'd eat it."

After breakfast, they decided they'd go over the files they'd retrieved. Zach and Cammie needed to go back so as to not arouse suspicion any further. By now, they were sure Samuel had contacted the ROF about the stolen files and the break in.

The others had begun clearing the table of the plates with Liz going over to grab her laptop. She began setting up and Jonas handed her the drive.

She ruffled his hair affectionately and plugged it in. They stared as the file folder appeared and Liz clicked on it. Jonas sat down beside her as he clicked through tabs on his computer, pulling up the mission files. He'd logged into the CIA's database and was ready to report anything back to headquarters if necessary. He'd previously heard that this mission was supposedly the final phase to a year-long operation. When he'd inquired about it shortly before they left, it wasn't confirmed or denied. He bit his inner lip as Liz clicked on a folder titled "Operatives".

The screen flickered as a dozen sub folders flashed on screen. Each sub folder had initials as their title. The one that immediately caught her eye was one titled "M.A.M." that was situated beside the one titled "C.A.M.".

Liz looked up at her with wide eyes as she took in what had shown up on her screen. Jonas leaned over a little to read the initials.

Jonas clicked his tongue, a frown beginning to form on his features. "There's twelve folders here with a varying number of items."

Preston leaned over the table. "How many do we recognize?"

Liz shook her head, shrugging slightly. "We won't know until we go over it. However, we'll need to classify this as need-to-know."

Macey dropped her head onto Preston's shoulder, sighing. "Let me guess. We're not strictly need-to-know."

Jonas smiles apologetically but they knew there was nothing they could really do. Headquarters would need to receive the information and tell them how to proceed regarding those agents if need be.

Liz scanned the file names and smiled. "Well. We can go over the names all of us do recognize and there's a certain name here that only two of us have direct permission and classification to view."

Cammie sighed beside Zach. He turned his gaze towards her but she shook her head, looking conflicted. "Besides my own initials and…" Cammie's gaze flickered to the one titled "M.A.M.", her eyes glazing over as she turned to look at another set of initials she knew like the back of her hand. "The initials A.A.C. are one that I recognize. He gave me permission to view his file and he has permission to view mine."

Grant raised an eyebrow. "So. Who is it?"

"Adam Callahan,"

Bex raised a brow at her. "When did this happen?"

Macey looked in thought before flicking her hand, a finger pointed at Cammie's direction. "It had to be after the Austrian Incident."

Grant and Zach's gazes zoned in on Cammie. They looked up and exchanged a glance, barely registering someone muttering something about "best friend telepathy".

"Why would you feel the need to disclose some of your most vulnerable information to another operative who's in the same amount of danger as you? Especially when said agent is also a legacy?"

Cammie smiled wryly at Grant. She shook her head. "If I told you, I would have to kill you, you know that. However, apparently there was speculation that we stumbled upon something big after we'd returned. My memory is hazy on that so sorry but I also really can't tell you more."

Bex looked away at Cammie's implication at the Incident. Liz pursed her lips before returning her gaze back to the file with her friends' initials. She clicked back and gazed at the next folder titled "Wanted".

Jonas's finger twitched on instinct as the screen filled with nine files. The difference to the titles was they outright stated the name of the targets. The files read as followed:

Jonas Anderson

Rebecca Grace Baxter

Adam Alexander Callahan

Zachary Goode

Maya Denise Mendoza

Cameron Ann Morgan

Grant Joseph Newman

Joseph Solomon

Elizabeth Sutton

There was a chorus of swears and when Cammie looked up, she met Bex's ready gaze.

"Cam, you've worked or been acquainted with everyone on this list, right?" Bex rested her chin on her hand and raised a brow. Zach raised an eyebrow as he looked between the two.

"And you've specifically singled her out because?" Zach was aware of the slight defensiveness in his tone but couldn't really bring himself to care.

Macey tapped her nails on the table, bringing everyone's gaze to meet hers. "Let's be honest here. I'm sure all of us recognize the names on the list but I'm sure we haven't worked with them directly. Knowing of someone isn't the same as working with someone." Macey glanced down at the names, the corners of her lips hinting the beginning of a frown. "The only one I can think of who fits the bill is Cam."

That seemed to resonate with everyone who simply hummed in acknowledgement before turning their gazes on Cammie. She sighed and nodded, not disclosing anything until she finished analyzing what she had in front of her. Her brows knit together as her lips moved silently. She pointed at the screen and began, "Nine names, four Blackthorn alumni, four Gallagher alumni, four legacies, and three of those legacies who have one secret in common."

Preston's eyes scanned the names and asked, "Four Gallagher alumni?"

Bex nodded slowly. "Maya was an upperclassman. She's two years older than us." She pointed a finger at Cammie. "Three legacies with one secret in common? I'm assuming this has to do with Callahan, Mendoza, and you. You need to tell us-"

Cammie adamantly shook her head. "I'll need to request clearance. I'm not telling you unless I get clearance."

Bex scowled and jabbed a finger towards the screen. "Cameron, your name is on this list," She began.

Cammie scoffed, cutting her off. "Oh it'd hardly be the first time."

Macey sighed and Liz's gaze shifted between her two friends. The boys simply watched, not daring to intervene just yet. Liz glanced at Jonas who shook his head. Macey caught her gaze and shrugged.

'Let it play out' she mouthed and Liz nodded. Bex's temper was beginning to flare as it usually did whenever she felt Cammie didn't take her own safety with enough precaution. It was a built in instinct ever since the Circle and ever since that Incident.

"Cammie," Bex ran her hands through her hair in an attempt to get her rising temper under control. "If it's connected, we need to know."

Cammie gazed at her sympathetically but stood her ground. "Bex, I'm also an operative who has secrets that will die with me unless I'm specifically given clearance to tell because we don't have any proof besides suspicion. I can't just reveal classified details of a mission that others were involved in especially after we made a pact. That'd be putting them in danger."

Bex was becoming restless, Cammie noticed, as she began bouncing her leg. Both Bex and Cammie could tell Grant was ready to hold her back just in case.

Bex laughed bitterly as she gripped Grant's arm, signaling him to back off. Grant frowned and glanced at Cammie who paid him no mind.

"So what? Are we going to assume you'd say that for no bloody reason?"

"I didn't say it for no reason. I'm suspicious that's all."

"The other option would be that they had your names by coincidence? That sounds absurd, Cammie. Don't be stupid."

Zach looked over at Cammie, who simply gazed back giving nothing away before turning back to Bex.

"Let's make a similar scenario. Grant's name, Macey's name and my name appear on a list like this one after a specific incident occurred. Now, those details are unknown and protected against those who had no part in said mission. The Director has sealed that file. You, as an outsider, don't have that clearance, no right to meddle in affairs that aren't yours. Then after we come together and exchange each other's files for reasons that don't pertain to you, we swear to keep it between us. Would you, as an operative and friend, who swore to keep those details private, betray said trust?"

Cammie sat back in her seat and crossed her arms, arching an eyebrow. Daring her to keep pushing the subject. Liz was beginning to fidget as the tension in the atmosphere reared its head.

Bex scowled, faltering slightly in defeat. In the end, she knew Cammie was right but couldn't help but glance back at the list. It was too perfect, too much of a coincidence to not be done on purpose. "Jonas. Send that request to headquarters. Now."

Cammie sighed as she lowered her head into her hands. "I can't share information pertaining to another mission. I can't risk their lives and share information that isn't mine, Bex. You know that. Let it go. You know I'm not doing this to be stingy." She looked up between her fingers and sighed again, deciding further explanation wouldn't do any good. She'd shared enough as it was so she just let the topic go and focused on what they did have. "Lizzie, click on my file."

Bex huffed out in resignation, leaning into Grant who gladly placed his arm around her in reassurance. She gazed up at him through her lashes and he smiled softly. "You understand," he murmured and she nodded. She did understand. But what happened a year prior isn't something she could forget, her conscience would never allow her to. She loved her friend, they'd grown up together. That girl was her sister. She'd do anything for her.

So, for now, she let it go.

Liz pulled up her file and Cammie felt her headache come back with a vengeance. Beside her, Liz began to pale and Jonas let out a frustrated sigh, running his hands through his hair.

"Fuck."

The file read as follows:

Name: Cameron Ann Morgan

Current Status: Alive

D.O.B.: January 16, 1997

Age: 26 Years Old

Code Name: Chameleon

Nationality: American

Physical Description: White, Blue Eyes, Blonde, 5' 4

Relationship Status: [Redacted]

Significant Other: [Redacted]

Relatives: Rachel Morgan (Biological Mother), Matthew A. Morgan (Biological Father), Abigail Cameron (Maternal Aunt), George Morgan (Paternal Grandfather), Anna Morgan (Paternal Grandmother)

Occupation: CIA Agent: Field Operative (Legacy)

Skill: Pavement Artist

Missions:[Redacted Winter 2016], [Redacted Winter 2017], [Redacted Summer 2017], Operation Jamais Vu (Fall 2017), Operation Interlude (Winter-Spring 2018), [Redacted Fall 2018], [Redacted Spring 2019], [Redacted Summer 2019], [Operation Carpe Diem (Spring 2020), [Redacted Winter 2022], [Redacted Summer 2022], [Redacted Fall 2022], [Redacted Winter 2022], Operation Take Down (2023) - Active as of February 2023

History: Earned code name by tailing Agent Matthew Morgan of the CIA through a mall to find out what she was getting for Christmas. Civilian life until the age of 11 but was aware of her parent's professions. Began attending the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women her seventh grade year and was part of Gallagher Academy's graduating class of 2015. Her father went MIA winter of her 7th grade year. During the fall of her sophomore year, the Circle of Cavan grew aware of her. They pursued her and captured her the summer before her senior year. She took down the Circle of Cavan her senior year of high school with the assistance of Agent Baxter (CIA), Agent McHenry (CIA), and Agent Sutton (CIA). Responsible for the death of the last heir to the Circle of Cavan. Catherine Goode eliminated the same year. As of 2022, she's been involved in 14 major missions. Within two years of joining the CIA. she rose up to the top ranks.

Trained by the Gallagher Academy, Rachel Morgan, Matthew Morgan, Abigail Cameron, Joseph Solomon, and James Callahan (current Director of the CIA).

Liz truly felt like the world had just flipped upside down. Again. She let out a shaky breath and tried to remind herself that, in this field, it happens. Dangers of the field and whatnot. But this was Cammie. She had watched her friend's world be turned upside down over and over again.

The Circle, the CIA declaring Matthew Morgan dead their junior year despite there being no evidence other than the passage of time, and then that accident.

And it hadn't been lost on her the way Cammie's face had changed when one of the files read "M.A.M.". Liz's brain was going into overdrive and, Jesus Christ, they had the dates of missions she'd been on. It was obvious what was happening. The CIA had a leak and they were utterly fucked if the same amount of information was on the files of the other operatives listed. Her eyes frantically scanned the file like it would change.

She subtly felt the warmth of Jonas's hand register on her arm. She began focusing on that. The warmth, the comfort. Him. Liz's head fell into her hands, her fingers clutching her hair tightly as she began another attempt to steady her breathing. She let her hand fall to her mouth and inhaled before turning her gaze to her friends.

They were all visibly in different states of shock. Liz's eyes immediately locked with Cammie's who offered her a tight smile. Cammie swayed to the right and Zach gingerly held her, making sure to avoid contact with her wound. Cammie blew out a breath before swallowing and turning to Jonas, who was in a more functional state compared to Liz.

"I need you to request Langley allow me to disclose information regarding Operation Carpe Diem and I want it relayed to Mendoza and Callahan ASAP. And by ASAP I mean tomorrow. They know I'm here and there's no way this ends well. We have a mole and they need to figure out who."

Bex swallowed as she turned to Cammie. "Cam-"

"I fought you on it but I'll disclose this much." Blonde locks fell into her face and she hastily tugged them behind her ear, eyes searching the file. "Don't get me wrong, they still need to know but if they're searching for us and the CIA's mole gets their hand on more information, we're beyond fucked. If that mission truly does have something to do with this one, I need to know how it's connected. It was one of three missions not including this one that weren't redacted. The names on that list cross referenced with the missions displayed point to Carpe Diem being significant in some way."

Macey sighed, visibly annoyed and stressed. Once Cammie found how her mission connected with this one, they could strategize better. "I get why you need to keep quiet but truly it's times like these that I hate protocol."

Zach eyed Cammie, trying to gauge what she was thinking. He softly nudged her good shoulder and her eyes widened. Grant, who had been watching them, raised an eyebrow.

"Care to share?"

Cammie began worrying her lip as she looked into Zach's eyes. It was now or never and she knew she'd already stirred up enough trouble. Seemingly having caught onto her train of thought, Zach frowned. Despite the dire situation they found themselves in, she couldn't help but smile slightly at Zach's perceptiveness.

"We have a bigger issue at hand as well," Cammie began.

Preston shot her a deadpan look. "Oh you mean besides the fact that the R.O.F. know for a fact you're here and are likely one of the two agents Carter James's contacted ordered a hit on?

She grimaced and Macey glared at her boyfriend. He sighed before murmuring an apology. Everyone was aware they were on edge so none of them took it too personally to be offended. It was inevitable given the tension.

Zach ran a hand through his hair, expression conflicted as to how to phrase it delicately. To admit that they were exposed to another threat as well. In the end, he gave up and decided to say it as it was, "Someone's aware we're here. We've gotten messages and it seems they have it out for Cammie and I."

Preston visibly recoiled, a hard gulp engulfing the silence that followed Zach's confession. Macey looked faint, Bex was visibly stressing, and Liz looked like she wanted to throw up. Grant began shaking his head, a string of curses leaving his lips as Jonas began furiously typing.

"This can't be happening." Was being muttered over and over again. Cammie was unsure how much more they could take, how much more she could take. She felt toyed with but this is how they get you, she reminded herself. She needed to be mentally strong, they all did if they were going to complete this mission.

Level 10, a blackout mission.

She felt foolish for wishing no complications would arise at the start of the mission. Liz leaned over to see what Jonas was doing and began opening up files to see which agents needed immediate notice. She would leave the "M.A.M." file for last.

"Ok," Jonas said. "I've already sent in a report as well as a warning that our mission has been in a sense compromised. It's not safe for us to fully operate without having backup in both Switzerland and bordering countries."

Preston leaned on Macey, shooting her a meaningful glance that Cammie couldn't quite decipher. In fact, their reaction had been so visceral, Cammie worried there was something she was missing. She shook her head as Preston began speaking.

"Unbelievable. We were already being hunted down? And those messages. We need to see them and see if we can get a trace."

Zach pulled up the messages and passed it to Grant who began reading. With every message it was clear that this person was one step ahead of them.

Always watching.

Waiting.

For what? For them to mess up? It was evident whoever it was, was fixated on toying with Zach and Cammie. The question they needed to figure out was who and why.

Liz was murmuring under her breath as she pulled up another file and read up the report she'd begun writing with all they'd found so far. "Let's also circle back to the mysterious 'her' Noah was referring to. What if it's her?"

Cammie looked at a loss and shrugged. "That's the problem. We don't know and pressing Noah on more information wouldn't help. We'll blow our covers faster if we do and I think it's time we acknowledge that it's only a matter of time until our identities are revealed. Our goal should be to get to Carter James again and make it past that party. We're supposed to make proper contact with him then."

Bex began reading aloud a message that raised alarms in her mind. She knew what this was referring to. At least, she thought she did, she couldn't be too sure. But for it to be a coincidence? The past year and a half had been hard enough and now this?

"'Worried about the mission? I mean it's been going exceptionally well but it's too early to tell right? You're both so gullible or perhaps it's because you don't know. I just wanted to let you know one thing. This is only the beginning'."

"Cool fucking reference to my amnesia, thanks," Cammie muttered dryly. Zach nodded, "Same."

Cammie looked at him, surprised. "What?"

"I'll tell you later." He turned to Jonas, pointing at the phone in his hand. "So. Can you trace it?"

Macey slumped in her seat besides Preston, her arm around him running her hand up and down in reassurance. He smiled softly at her and Cammie's heart ached. She hadn't had a love like that but she knew the stress this type of information would put on them, the dangers of two operatives in love. She'd seen the girl in front of her do anything for the man she loved. She saw it now and she saw it at 17 years old in Macey's determination to get Preston out of Samuel Winters grasp, out of being forced into the Circle.

"It's the bloody Circle of Cavan all over again," Bex murmured furiously. Liz hummed in agreement, as she stared at the open tabs in front of her. She was aware it all rode on this. They needed this information, this person out of the way.

Frankly, she needed this mission out of their way as soon as possible. She'd debated when would be the right time for so long that she felt that it couldn't wait any longer. They were losing time.

Speaking of time, Zach and Cammie needed to go soon. They were already walking on thin ice. One misstep and it all falls down. "Zach, Cammie. I swear we'll do everything we can but now you need to go soon. We can't risk ourselves more. We simply can't afford to be compromised until we get what Carter James wants."

Zach glanced at the time which read 10:34 AM. He pursed his lips before signaling at Cammie. She simply nodded and with that they began murmuring goodbyes in the tension filled room. They had to head back where they were likely in the most danger.

And then it happened. Zach's phone pinged on the table besides Jonas. Zach froze and the room fell into silence as they read the message.

Surprise. You've caught me. Or have you? You're all in this together now, huh? You know what they say: teamwork makes the dream work. Here's a little hint from me to you. I'm closer than you think.

P.S. Do me a favor and eliminate Samuel for me. He does have the most interesting files but I can't have loose ends. That's begging for trouble.

Everyone inhaled sharply as they read the final message. Their days in Switzerland were ticking down fast like a bomb ready to explode. The only problem was when would this all blow up in their face?

Preston stood up, restless and beyond stressed, began pacing the kitchen. "They got to him before we did. They have the files too."

His shout echoed in the room as Zach stared at his phone. He was angry. Preston was always the most level headed person in their circle besides Jonas. He'd grown up in political circles, he needed to be in check of his image, it was a cover he had perfected over the years. But it was clear they were all being pushed into a corner and for once, Zach wasn't sure how they'd make it out of this mission without long lasting scars.

Something was bound to give but what? And they needed to go. Zach's head ached, he felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins, the rising nausea, the overwhelming dread.

Cammie was grabbing her purse, face pale and eyes looking everywhere but at the phone. "We need it traced. We need it now. Let us know if anything pops up. I'll try contacting Adam but we'll regroup tomorrow at the party."

Liz leaned into Jonas and nodded towards the phone. "Cam. Five minutes and you can leave. Let's just figure out where it pings. Maybe we can manage to get the situation under control before the party. We need to get a step ahead of whoever this is."

Jonas had already begun the tracking process and they watched as the satellite maps zoomed in on Switzerland and then closer.

Grant's hand slipped into Bex's as the coordinates appeared. She squeezed as she leaned into his side well aware that she was exhausted emotionally and physically.

"Got it." Jonas squinted at the screen. "It pinged in a house in La Croix-de-Rozon, Genéve."

"Let's go right now," Grant said. Preston shook his head as he headed into the kitchen to get a glass of water. His throat felt dry and he was getting the worst sense of deja vu. Like Cammie, he'd been assigned over a dozen missions over the past 8 years since he'd joined the CIA so he should be used to the sense of danger. But he'd never had to face something like this.

He's been in danger, yes. Hell, he was born as an heir to the Circle of Cavan and he'd been nearly sent to prison because of it. He'd also been compromised on missions before but never to this degree, not to the point it would demand this visceral of a reaction out of him.

He scoffed to himself as he lifted the glass to his lips. An outright attack on two fronts, Preston was forced to admit the R.O.F. had truly outdone themselves.

A leak within the CIA was just the fucking cherry on top. Preston was always perceptive but he never showed that to people. He needed to seem amiable, approachable. After all, that's what being the Governor's son entails. Perhaps a bit ditzy to add some charm. It was a perfect cover because no one suspected anything, it was how he was able to keep a level head.

After all, what is politics but watching, strategizing, and waiting?

Which is why he turned to Grant and said, "We're in an emotional state right now and no place to go out on the field. You know going wouldn't be the right choice. I'm sure we can head there before the party to scope out the place." He glanced at Cammie and lifted his glass. "We'll give you updates. There's a lot we need to think over and a lot to analyze. You should go, we'll see you there."

Cammie and Zach exchanged a glance before nodding. And with that, shaking hand in his, Cammie dragged Zach out so they could begin their journey back to the Clark residence. As they made their way onto the freeway, they exchanged a look.

They had a person of interest who just found themselves on a hitlist of whoever the sender behind the messages was. They'd been loaded with a lot of information, their heads felt like they were about to implode.

One thing was clear, they needed to get to Carter James again before this person did because if they didn't, the consequences would be disastrous.

It was just one more day. In less than 24 hours, they'd have the information he was set to deliver so they could continue the mission. The question was: would they make it past those 24 hours without being compromised any further?

"What are we going to tell Noah?" Cammie's worried gaze shifted from the freeway to Zach.

Zach pondered a bit before simply replying, "Don't get sloppy on me now, Gallagher Girl. We were fulfilling a favor for a friend, that's all. "

Cammie nodded and begged her heart to stop beating so fast. She gazed out the window at the passing trees and wondered why she had such a horrible sinking feeling.

This all felt familiar yet different all at once. She chewed on her bottom lip as she wondered what secrets lay in her forgotten memories and what the Austrian mission had to do with their current one. She thought about Adam and Maya as she vaguely recalled the pact and the explosion.

She squeezed her eyes shut, leaning back into her seat. The answer lay in her memories but the problem remained that she didn't remember the last four years, just bits and pieces.

God, it really did feel like the Circle again and she just wanted it to be over. The house came into view and she knew what they needed to do.

Just 24 hours. They just needed to get past the party. But she was Cammie Morgan and when did things ever go to plan?

Oh god, it's been a while but I just finished midterms so writing this was a bit difficult. On the bright side, I think I've finished fleshing out how this story is going to go as well as solidifying a timeline. But yes, this story is set in February 2023 when Cammie's 26 years old. Things will only get more intense from here on out so stay tuned to see how this mission leads Cammie and co through an emotionally and psychologically draining rollercoaster. They all have a lot to do and so little time.

Find out what happens next in the next chapter of A Dangerous Game: Missing