The Daughter Extraction

The Heart Wants What It Wants

•ALEC•

Tonight would be my last night in Canada. This small town had been a safe haven so far; it's a shame I will never get to stay and complete the days I had planned to spend here.

I closed the last suitcase and zipped it up before setting it on the floor. I had spent all morning packing and clearing out my stuff in the cabin; now it looked as dull and cold as the first time I set foot here.

I looked around one more time, taking it all in, before picking up the folder lying flat on top of the coffee table.

This was the RETURN TO DUTY ORDER that two federal agents had personally delivered to my doorstep a few days ago. Nobody at headquarters knew about my location except Blair and Martin, but they knew the risk of giving out any information about my whereabouts, so I knew it wasn't them.

The only person I know who has connections strong enough to find someone trying to stay under the radar is Luna. It would make sense that she told someone about where I was, and that someone had given that exact information to the people I work with.

A loud engine sound echoed from outside, and I quickly walked to the window and looked out. I thought it was her again but a sigh escaped me when I recognized the familiar vehicle that Blair and Martin had used during their last visit up here.

Speak of the devil, Blair and Martin both stepped out of the car and started coming up to the house. I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall, greeting them with a nod when they entered.

"How you been, boss?" Martin greeted casually with a smile.

"Alright," I replied before looking over to Blair. "What brings the two of you here?"

"Thought you might need some company back to L.A. You've been on your own for far too long; we're just a little concerned you might have forgotten some things."

Despite Blair's serious tone, I immediately detected the sarcasm in her voice.

"I can manage just fine," I responded before grabbing the handle of my two suitcases and carrying them outside.

"I thought you said you'd be leaving tomorrow?" Martin asked from the porch after following me out.

"Changed my mind after seeing the two of you here."

I popped open the trunk of my car and placed the suitcases inside.

"You're in that much of a hurry to get back to work?" Blair asked, suddenly appearing next to the car.

"Something like that," I answered firmly before closing the trunk and turning to face her.

Martin walked up to us and stood beside Blair, and they both just stared at me. I sighed and looked away.

"Look, I get that you're both worried about me, but I've got this. I can handle it, and I'm ready to come back."

"Even though it's not what you wanted?" Blair quickly shot in, and I looked at her.

Her question triggered the tightness in my chest that had been there ever since the day I had that argument with Luna before she left.