Page 3 of Cage
I’m not sure why he emphasized the word Little. I guess it doesn’t matter. I don’t know this man, but for some reason, I trust him. He came here to change my life. What do I have to lose?
“You really think I can do this?” I ask.
“Yes.” It’s all he says. Just yes. As if he doesn’t have a single doubt about it.
“I’ll do it.”
Deke rises from his seat, and is even taller than I expected, then holds out his hand. “Welcome to The Agency.”
1
EMBER
“Are you listening to me?”
No. I haven’t been listening for the last twenty minutes. Not since he told me he’s sending me away with some sort of bodyguard assassin.I’m not going to say that out loud, though.
My father leans back in his leather chair and laces his hands over his stomach, his face a mask of calmness. Sitting across from him, I want to pull my knees to my chest and curl into a tiny ball. Instead, my entire body trembles.
I look around the large office, wishing someone would jump out from behind a piece of furniture to tell me I’m being pranked. It would be an awful joke, but at least it would mean what my father is saying isn’t real.
“I don’t understand. If you think the threats aren’t anything to be worried about, why do I need a bodyguard? And why do I have to go to a safe house?”
None of it makes sense.
“Because you’re my daughter and the most important thing in my life. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
I stare at my father, blinking rapidly. I want to laugh at that; surely it was a joke. Yet, he looks dead serious. If I weren’t his daughter, I’d probably believe him. But I’ve lived with him for twenty-two years, and I know when he’s lying.
Like when he goes into congressional meetings and lies his ass off about whatever it is he’s trying to get passed. Or when he speaks at press conferences and answers questions with complete baloney. He’s wearing the same confident yet friendly,trust me and vote for meexpression right now as he does then.
“Why are they threateningme? I never appear with you. I’m not involved in anything political. I’m surprised they even know I’m your daughter.”
He steeples his index fingers and rests his elbows on the desk. Then he sighs like this conversation is exhausting him. “I don’t know why they are threatening you, Ember, but they are, and I’m not having you here unprotected. I’ve arranged for one of the best men in the country to keep you safe until we find who it is.”
I lower my face into my hands and rock back and forth while trying to keep myself calm. It’s getting harder to breathe with every second, and if I don’t get it under control, I’m going to have a full-blown panic attack.
“Ember, are you listening?” he asks again.
Part of me wants to stomp my foot and yell at my father that I’m an adult and can decide for myself what I want. The other part of me wants to hide under my bed with Spike, so the scary people can’t ever find me. Although that might not be the best hiding spot. They’d probably check there first. Maybe my closet would be a better place.
This isn’t the first time my father has received threats. He’s a congressman. It comes with the job. But it’s the first time he’s received a threat to harm me. And the scary part is, he doesn’t know why they want to kill me.
“I know you’re scared and don’t want to go away, but it’s for your safety. You’ll be fine. It’s only going to be for a short time until we find whoever is making these threats.”
I twist my fingers together, feeling so small. I don’t want to go. I want to stay here where it’s familiar. I’ve spent enough time in strange places over the years.
When I don’t say anything, he sighs heavily again. “Go pack whatever you need for a couple of weeks. My security team will get you to the bodyguard safely.”
My heart stops, and my hands go cold. “I have to go right now?”
He huffs and for the first time, I notice stress lines on my father’s face as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Yes, Ember. Go. Now. I’ll be here waiting to take you to him. We need to be there in an hour.”
Tears run down my cheeks as I carry a shoulder bag stuffed full of clothes, necessities, and Spike down the grand staircase. I’ve tried to get myself together three times already, but each time I think I’m done crying, it starts all over again.
My father is already standing by the door along with his security detail. When he sees me, he strides to the bottom of the steps, his face etched with what looks like actual concern. “It’s only for a little while, Ember. A couple of weeks at most.”
Yeah, but why do I feel like my father is always sending me away? Whether it was boarding school or summer camps, I’ve spent most of my life living elsewhere. I was shocked when I told my father I wanted to go to college locally and he agreed without too much argument. It’s not that I’m especially attached to thishouse or living with him, but I was so tired of having roommates and never getting any alone time. I didn’t want to live in a dorm. All the noise and mean girls and petty drama was too much for me.