The Risk Takers

BOOK 5

HERE IS THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE 5TH BOOK IN THE ELLIE ADLER SERIES:

The stranger takes a step back as he processes what he just learned. I don't know which of the four of us is in more shock.

"Topher never told you about Liam?" Teddy finally asks and he isn't the only one wondering about the logistics of this. The stranger shakes his head no and I snap my gaze to Liam. He's an open book and this kid has no idea I turned their father to dust over a month ago.

"Liam I need to speak with you for a moment," I tell him as urgently as I can. Teddy glances at me and I add, "Keep him company." I pull on Liam's hand before anyone can object and lead him to the farthest room in the house. I close the door and in a whisper, I say, "I don't know who this kid is or what all he knows. But I need you to keep me blowing your father up out of all your thoughts. He can't know." Liam stares at me and I do my best not to break into his head. I'm trying to let him process these bombshells in peace.

"How am I going to keep that from him?" Liam asks. "He can easily break into my head, and if he's anything like our father, he'll be damn good at it."

"I don't know. But I think it's best that he doesn't know Topher is dead. At least not yet. He might not take me murdering your father too well," I tell him and he starts pacing. He drops his head into his hands and stays covered for a few quiet moments. He then drops his hands and says, "I have a million questions going on and I don't want this kid to hear any of them."

"We don't know if he's trustworthy. Why don't I go gauge his talents before allowing you back in the room," I suggest but Liam glares at me before snapping, "I am not going to allow my pregnant wife to be alone with a possibly dangerous teenager."

"Teddy will be with me," I tell him but Liam isn't staying in this room. "Liam, he's looking for Topher, I don't know what to tell him and you could give us all away."

"Technically I was unconscious while all that went down. I don't visually have anything to give him," Liam says but I shake my head, "You knowing is bad enough." I can see that he's frustrated so I add, "Let me ask some initial questions, and then if it's safe for you to be open-minded around him we can figure it out." He doesn't look convinced. For so long I was the liability when it came to exposing secrets that I now understand how panicked he used to feel.

"Ellie, I just learned I have a brother and you want me to let you go be the one to ask questions?" He incredulously asks.

"I want to keep you safe and I want to keep our secrets safe so...yes," I tell him. He shakes his head while turning away from me. It's not ideal, but having a secret brother angrily show up unannounced on your doorstep isn't ideal either.

"I'll give you ten minutes, with Teddy present before I go in there and ask what I want to ask," Liam relents and I can tell he thinks this is the worst idea. I sigh out before replying, "Trust me okay?" He reluctantly nods and I leave him in the back room. I stride back out to the foyer and Teddy is leaning against the wall with his arms folded and the kid has his hands in his jean pockets while leaning against the door. Neither of them is talking. When I come out of the hallway, they both look at me and the kid asks, "Where is Liam?"

"Look, we all know what we can do here. I could tell you were a shield seconds after opening the door and I think you just as quickly realized Liam does not have a shield. So before I bring him and his open mind back out here, I need to ask you some questions," I tell him plainly. He pushes himself off the door while snarling, "I'm not here to see you."

"That's fine. You're here for Topher but I am the only one that currently knows where he is. So if you want your answers, you'll give me mine," I demand before crossing my arms across my chest. Teddy looks to the kid and says, "It will be easier if you play ball man."

The kid sighs and gives me the go-ahead. My first question is, "What's your name?"

"Logan."

"Where are you from?"

He eyes me before finally admitting, "Virginia." I nod to him and that makes sense with Topher's C.I.A background.

"Where's your mother?" I ask and but he shakes his head, not willing to give that information up. "I'm just wondering if your mother is wondering where the hell her son is?"

"She wants to know where my father is too," he confesses and from his smug expression, I can tell that's all I am getting from him on that subject.

"You know about me but not Liam, why did your father tell you he was seeking me out?" I ask and Teddy is now next to me in the same crossed arm stance. With his background, he is probably used to interrogations.

"He said he had unfinished business with you in Los Angeles. Said he had to deliver a serum to you and then he'd be back," he answers and I want to laugh in Topher's face. His whole plan went up in flames. He wanted revenge on me and instead destroyed his son and got blown up.

"You are obviously unaware of your father's connection to me?" I ask, "if you had no idea about Liam."

"He said you were a defector and a liability to the C.I.A. He said you were dangerous and had been keeping tabs on you," he admits and this is twice I've had to refrain from howling with laughter. Teddy looks at me and says, "I had no idea my best friend was a danger to society."

"I had no idea I was defector," I tell him and we are enjoying the tales Topher spun while Logan looks pissed. He isn't enjoying our inside joke.

"Alright I've answered enough, go get Liam," Logan snaps. Teddy looks to him and asks, "I'm thinking you're not going to tell us what your other talents are?"

"My other talents?" Logan asks like Teddy just asked him who his favorite cricket player is.

"Yeah you know, abilities? Skills? Powers?" Teddy explains.

Logan laughs, "Yeah you guys aren't getting shit out of me there. Unless you're going to show me everything you can do." I glance to Teddy, but know I won't be giving up my secrets. Teddy can only mind read, so he shrugs and looks back to Logan, "I'm a shield. That's all there is to know."

"And you?" Logan asks me but I just shake my head, "I'm more than a shield but that's all I'll say about that."

"And Liam has nothing?" Logan asks in surprise and I glare at him before saying, "You can thank your dad for that one."

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANOTHER BOOK IN THE ELLIE ADLER SERIES PLEASE VOTE ON THIS CHAPTER! I AM CURRENTLY DEBATING WHETHER TO WRITE ANOTHER BOOK IN THIS SERIES OR MY MY SPY SERIES SO WHICHEVER HAS THE MOST VOTES ON THE NEW CHAPTER WINS! AND AS ALWAYS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!!