Beyond What Meets The Eye

Chapter Fifteen

"Now, we won't be able to communicate directly, so I'm sending you with these three books from the city library. Whenever you find something, make a copy, or write it down, and slip it in between the pages. You'll likely be closely monitored, so this is the best way for you to get us information without raising suspicion. There will be books on hold for you to pick up when you return the others." Adrian explained as he slipped the books into a backpack. She sat across from him on the couch, her eyes heavy after barely sleeping the night before.

"And what exactly am I even looking for?" She asked wearily.

"Anything really, correspondence with a vendor, a client, operation strategy's, things we can use to catch him off guard." Adrian responded, like it was obvious. Maybe for him, but she didn't understand a thing when it came to how the mafia was ran.

"If at any point, you think your cover is close to being blown, write the word 'red' down and slip it into the book. I'll have someone find a way to get in touch with you and get you out of there."

Mira nodded her head absently. He'd been giving her directions all morning, yet she still felt like she had no clue what she was doing. He slipped the file of documents they'd found in her father's desk into the bag.

"Alright, I think that's everything. You ready to go?" He asked, lifting his gaze to meet hers.

"Yeah," She lied, bending down to place a gentle kiss on Pickle's head. Who knew how long it would be until she got to see the fluffball again. She hadn't gone more than a day without seeing him since she'd got him, she hoped he wouldn't be to mad at her.

Adrian passed the backpack to her and lead her down to the parking garage. They drove silently to Mira's apartment, Adrian's eyes remaining steadily on the road in front of them. She stared out the window, detached from everything happening around her.

"We're here."

Mira hadn't even realized he had pulled up next to her apartment building. She fumbled with the backpack as she reached for the door.

"Hey," Adrian said, grabbing her arm. She looked over at him, his stormy eyes clouded with something she couldn't read. Was it concern? "You're going to be fine, alright?"

She managed a weak smile.

"I know. I'll see you later." She slipped out of the car and made her way into the lobby and up to the top floor. The apartment looked the same as she left it, it's familiar scent filling her nostrils. She walked over to the couch and sat down, dropping the backpack at her feet.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts until she found her father's number. She stared at it for a moment before sucking in a deep breath and pressing the call button. Each ring made her heart skip a beat until finally her father's voice sounded from the other end.

"Amira?" He sounded surprised by her call. This was it.

"Dad . . . we need to talk." She said, her mouth dry. There was a pause.

"I'm listening." He replied.

"In person." She continued. "I know who you are, what your real name is. I found the documents you had hidden in your desk." The phone went silent for a moment.

"I see." He finally said. "I can have someone pick you up in an hour. Does that work?" He asked.

"Yeah," she managed. "I'll see you later." She said, the call ending. Mira tossed her phone onto the couch next to her, dragging her hands down her face. She shouldn't have been this scared to talk to her dad, but her body was shaking with fear.

She paced the length of the apartment for the next hour, the anticipation growing with each passing minute. Once an hour had passed, she made her way down to the lobby, barely managing a polite smile as she walked by the receptionist.