Briar Preparatory Academy

Epilogue

Colleen POV

I hook my purse on my forearm as I saunter off the jet bridge and into the airport. My red stilettos clack on the tile floor of the building and I discreetly pull my sunglasses over my eyes, I can't risk anyone identifying me.

The airport isn't this crowded at this time of night, with very few people sitting in chairs reading a book or sucking down as much coffee as they can get in their system. I avoid eye contact with anyone I pass as I walk down the length of the building towards the cab pick-up. I walk outside into the cool air, covering my nose to hide from the awful stench of the city.

I've never liked visiting Frankfurt.

A squad of soldiers in uniform and carrying rifles walk past me, their boots landing hard on the concrete. I automatically tense, reaching for the pocket knife hidden inside my pea coat. Not that a pocket knife could do much against four armed German soldiers.

A black Lincoln car waits for me by the curb. The windows are tented, giving me no hint as to who sits in the driver's seat. I wait for him to get out of the car and take my suitcase to the trunk, where he throws it in without a care. "There are valuables in there," I hiss. The driver turns to me apologetically.

"Apologies, Miss McCleary."

I nearly gasp when he says my name. "Don't worry, Ma'am. I work with him as well," The driver says upon seeing my reaction. He opens the back door for me and waits patiently for me to sidle in, gripping my purse tightly in my hands.

We are in the middle of traffic before I know it. Why so many people move around at this hour, I'll never know. Suddenly, I hear a vibrating sound coming from my purse. I glance down at it and take out my cell phone. No caller identification. I frown and glance at the rearview mirror before answering.

"This is Johnson." I say, trying to sound confident. Someone chuckles on the other end of the line.

"Where are you?" I tense at the sound of the familiar voice and swallow. Always so demanding, he is.

"I just left the airport. Is this being tracked--"

"I made sure it wasn't." He's irritated.

"Of course, sir, thank you." I say, and swallow once before continuing, "May I inquire why you've called me at such a time?"

"Have you made sure no one followed you from the states?"

"Yes sir, I had operatives following anyone of suspicion the entire time I was traveling," I say, "No one knows where I am."

"Good, good." There is a pause on the other end of the line for a few seconds. I pull the phone away from my ear and check to see if the call dropped.

"Sir?" I ask tentatively.

"What did they do with Vegas' body?" He suddenly asks, his voice dark and deadly. I swallow again and grip my coat tightly between my fingers.

"I didn't stay long enough to find out. My most sincere... apologies, sir."

Another long pause. Then, "It doesn't matter. They'll pay soon enough."

"With all due respect, sir," I say quietly, "I believe we underestimated the Academy. They fought back, unlike we assumed."

"I will make sure that won't happen again. One failed mission means nothing. That school doesn't know that we're not finished with them. We're not finished."

"Of course, sir. We never will be."

I hear a sigh. "We have much to discuss when you arrive, McCleary."

"Yes sir."

"I need you to tell me everything you know. Including everything about that girl."

I furrow my eyebrows. "I beg your pardon?"

"The one who started this. Marcus and Nora's child."

I feel something hot inside me when I hear him mention Celeste Blackwood. The girl who ended Jasper's life, who forced him to nearly destroy to Academy.

I'll make her pay.

"McCleary, are you there?"

I blink twice and shake my head. "Yes, of course. I'll tell you everything you need to know," I pause and remember something else. "Joe is with her now. I hear he has plans to work with Lockharte."

I can almost see him thinking right now. "Is that so?" He drawls out, and I think I hear him chuckling. "How curious a situation this is."

His laugh isn't lighthearted, and it sends chills up my spine. "Is that all you needed to hear, Sir?"

"I believe so. We will discuss the rest of our issues upon your arrival."

"Thank you, sir."

"McCleary?"

I swallow. "Yes?" I manage, hearing the tone change in his voice.

"Don't disappoint me again. It won't work in your favor."

He hangs up before I can respond. I close my eyes and put my phone back in my purse, then carefully slide my leather gloves off. I suddenly feel very hot.

My mind wanders to what is yet to come, all the things that are unexpected. The vengeance I will have on that little twit for taking Jasper from me. The terror that the Academy has yet to experience. The loss the old man will feel.

All these things cause my shoulders to relax.

I smile.