The Daughter Extraction

A Dire Warning

•ALEC•

Luna and I decided to be open about our relationship by going on a couple of dates over the next few days. Just a few casual ones that didn't overlap with her classes, her internship at her father's office, and also my temporary job as her father's security detail.

Despite the hassle, we managed to work things out.

Luna had a class this afternoon, and I told her I was going to pick her up from school. While she was in class, my team and I were scheduled to escort her father and his campaign team to a fundraiser program.

Governor Whitman relayed the last few words of his speech as he stood on the small makeshift stage inside the hall, facing about a hundred people crowding in front of him, along with the reporters.

Max and Samson were positioned on each side of the stage, looking alert and focused as their eyes scanned the room. I also did the same, but I was appointed to guard the entrance with another colleague of mine, Tobias.

I quickly checked the time on my watch and saw it was almost half past three. Luna should be done with her class anytime soon. A loud applause broke out throughout the room, followed by loud cheers as Governor Whitman ended his speech and faced his supporting audience with a big grin on his face.

The reporters wasted no time shuffling closer to the stage to take his photo. His campaign team also joined him on stage, and they all had their pictures taken together.

I glanced at our head of security, Ben, who was standing behind the governor, and he nodded at me, which was a signal to prepare for takeoff. I turned around and guarded the entrance as Ben and the others guided the governor away from the stage and out of the building.

After making sure that the governor and his team had been safely escorted to their transport, I got into my own car and let the others take care of the governor back to his home while I drove to Luna's school to pick her up.

She sent me a text along the way saying she was already waiting for me outside. A smile settled upon my face as I finished reading it, and I sped up a little bit. I just couldn't wait to see her.

I drove through their parking lot, joining the queue of vehicles ahead of me as they also proceeded to drive out of the school. I swerved the car to the side and parked near the curb. I pulled my phone out and texted her back, telling her that I was already here and waiting for her outside the parking lot.

I tapped my fingers lightly around the steering wheel as I looked around outside, looking for her. People were walking everywhere, heading inside the school building or just making their way out.

Something I never really got to experience was going to college. I went straight for my training to join the CIA right after graduating high school. Part of me kinda missed having that chance, but the other part was glad that I didn't.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be here right now, or I wouldn't have met Luna in the long run.

A few minutes later, I finally spotted her crossing the lawn heading toward the parking lot. A soft smile played on her lips as she walked alone, the sun making her face and hair glow, and my breath hitched.

She crossed to the other side and started walking down the road, her eyes scanning the cars parked ahead of mine, looking for me. I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door.

I stepped out of the car and smiled in her direction, but every hair on my body stood on edge when I spotted the dark minivan trailing very closely behind her. I looked at Luna again and saw she was already looking at me.

Her eyes lit up, and she smiled back at me. She raised her hand and started to wave just at the same time when the van's door slid open and two guys jumped out.

I immediately reacted in a heartbeat.

"Luna, get down!"

Her face contorted in confusion, but it was too late. I grabbed my gun from the holster tucked beneath my belt and opened fire. Screams echoed all around me, but Luna's never made it out of her mouth when the two kidnappers grabbed her by the arms and legs and pushed her inside the van.

I repeatedly pulled the trigger, aiming at the two men and trying not to get Luna caught in the crossfire. But they were smart enough to let her shield them from me.

Another guy popped out from the passenger seat and started retaliating. I hid behind an empty vehicle to take cover. My heart started pounding in my ears, so did the sound of the bullets hitting the vehicle behind me.

I heard the screech of tires against the pavement, and I quickly jumped up from my hiding place and started shooting at the van again. The van quickly reversed out of the parking lot and drove away, my bullets having no effect on them as they merely hit the vehicle but did nothing to make it stop.

I clutched my hair in rage, my mind running wild after the situation sank in.

They took Luna

They fucking took her right in front of me!

I slammed my gun on top of the bonnet of my car, my anger and frustration leaking through my veins. Bystanders started to crowd around me, taking in the aftermath of the kidnapping that just happened a few minutes ago.

But this wasn't just a typical kidnapping situation.

I realized that when I saw the person behind the wheel in that van. His fucking smirk was imprinted in my head, and it grated on my nerves.

Juan Santos

I quickly jumped back in my car and left the school. Despite the racing of my heartbeat, a million thoughts were also running through my head as I tried to quickly figure out what to do.

I can't go after them because I don't have the resources and information to track them down. Juan was involved in the mission in Mexico, and the fucker is probably here for payback.

My current job cannot provide me with everything I need. So there's only one solution: I have to go back to the one place where all of this started.

OoO

Director Hayes's eyes roamed all over me, taking in my disheveled appearance with no reaction on his face. I had just relayed to him the news of Luna's kidnapping, Juan's involvement, and my willingness to report back to duty.

Hayes contemplated the situation for a moment, and then after a while, he finally decided to get off his seat and face me. I straightened up in my stance with my hands clasped behind my back, meeting his eyes head-on.

"Has the governor been notified?" he asked, and I nodded once.

"Yes, sir."

He nodded and circled the table until he was standing in front of me.

"You sure that you are absolutely ready to get back to work?"

His question triggered unwelcome emotions, but I remained composed.

I'm doing this for Luna.

"A hundred percent, sir."

My response gained a satisfied smile from Hayes, and he reached inside the drawer below his desk and took out a small object. My eyes remained pinned on his face the entire time as he slowly turned around to face me again.

He passed the object to me, and I finally looked down and saw it was my badge. The metal object felt smooth and heavy on the palm of my hand as I took it from Hayes. The familiarity of it felt like a restoration of power, strength and clear determination.

I gripped it tightly in my hand and looked up to meet Hayes's eyes.

"Welcome back, Agent Stone."