In Hiding (Final Book in the Boss's Niece Series)

Mel and Haley Are Put In Hiding

"If she's been hired to kill you, why didn't she kill you at Rossi's funeral or when you two met?" asked Sara.

I had just told the whole team, including Jessica and our newest member, Simon, and Uncle Aaron about my meeting with my mom and how she was hired to kill me.

"She says whoever hired her doesn't know she's here in Virginia. She says I probably have about a week before he finds out and demands she kills me." I explained.

"What are we going to do?" asked Spencer. "We can't let her kill you, but she's been hired to do so, which means she can't stop until she fufils her job."

"Or we kill her." Simon added.

"We are not killing my mom!" I snapped. "I'm sure we can come up with some other way of protecting me that doesn't involve anyone dying."

The room went silent. I felt my heart beat quicken and I began to sweat. Someone has to have something. I've managed to escape death so many times through out the past few years. I can't just give in and be killed now.

"What if we gave you a different identity." Uncle Aaron said, although it was more of a statment than a question.

"A new identity? Like, a fake one?" I asked.

"Exactly." he said. "And you'd have to move somewhere else so she couldn't find you."

"You mean...leave my family behind?" I asked.

"You should take Haley." JJ added. "She's in as much danger as you are considering she's your daughter. Having her with you is better than leaving her alone with her babysitter."

I looked at Spencer. He was looking between JJ and Uncle Aaron in surprise. He couldn't believe what they were saying.

"What about Reiders?" I asked.

"He can't go." Derek said. "If he goes with you, it'll be easier for Debra to track you guys down. He can stay here with us and find out who hired her and find out how to stop both of them."

I felt tears well up in my eyes.

"Well, who's identity am I going to get and-and where am I going to go?" I asked. "Not far. Please don't send me far away from here."

"We have to, Mel." said Alex. "The further, the better."

I nodded.

"V-Vegas is p-pretty far. Ma-maybe I could go-go there and-and visit Reiders mom? See how she's doing." I said through my tears.

"That should be fine." Uncle Aaron said. "As for the identity, we can give you Strauss' identity and give Haley your aunt Haley's. That way, you'll both be safe."

"We should have a story for them in case anyone asks." Jessica said. "Can anyone think of anything?"

"Well, since Haley and Strauss have different last names, we can say Mel is Haley's aunt and legal guarding after her parents were killed in a car accident." Penelope said. "And-and Mel could be from Virginia and is staying in Vegas for a vacation after the accident. She could check into a hotel!"

"That sounds good." Uncle Aaron said. "You think you got all that Mel?"

I nodded. I took a deep breath to settle the tears. I couldn't believe I was leaving. I was going far away from my husband, my team. My family. And no one knew how long I'd be gone. Heck, I could be gone for years for all we know.

And Haley had to go. That was the worst part. Haley had to leave her friends and her dad and her family behind as well.

And if we were gone long, Spencer might miss a lot in her life. A lot that he didn't want to miss.

"Do I have to go?" I asked, sounding like a child trying to get out of something they didn't want to go to.

"Yes." Uncle Aaron said, his voice stern. "I'll fill in as Unit Chief for now. Our UnSub might not know that you've become Unit Chief."

"What do we say if anyone asks why Mel left?" Simon asked.

"We tell them she's gone away on classified business." Uncle Aaron replied. "Mel, I know you don't want to leave us behind, but it's either you leave us temporarily or you leave us permanently. And I'd think you'd rather the first option."

"I want this to be over." I said. "I wish I wasn't such a magnet for trouble."

"You okay over there Pretty Boy?" Derek asked.

The attention shifted to Spencer, who was clearly crying. He quickly composed himself, wiping away his tears, and answered, "Yeah, I'm fine. So, when will she be going."

"As soon as she possibly can." Uncle Aaron replied. "Go home, pack your bags, meet us at the airport. You'll be taking the jet. We'll give you your IDs and you'll be on your way."

I nodded and looked at Spencer again. He looked so upset. So broken. Why was I such a trouble magnet?