Laurel
...

I stare at Danny's contact, my thumb hovering over the call button.

It's been weeks since we last talked, and the guilt sits heavy in my chest. After everything that happened with Sophia, I know I can't keep avoiding this conversation any longer.

The phone feels like it weighs a ton. My room is quiet, just the soft hum of the lights and the distant sound of traffic filtering through the window.

I've been avoiding, pushing it further and further back, hoping somehow the problem would resolve itself.

But problems don't solve themselves. Not in my line of work.

I tap the call button, refusing to procrastinate more.

Danny picks up on the second ring. "Laurel."

"Hey," I say, trying to sound casual. I lean back in my chair, watching the wind bounce over my window. "It’s been a minute."

“That’s an understatement,” Danny mutters. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me.”

His voice is edgy, and I know I deserve it. I’ve kept him in the dark, especially after everything with Sophia. After that kiss, I haven't said anything to him.

But I’m not about to get into all that.

I take a deep breath and force myself to get to the point.

“I’ve got an update on the situation.” I try to sound casual and indifferent. “Sophia doesn’t come to work anymore. She’s gone off the radar.”

There’s a pause on his end. He is probably wondering why. Danny’s no fool. He knows there’s more to the story.

“Gone, huh? And why do I get the feeling you’re not telling me everything?” he probs.

I run a hand through my hair, fighting the urge to tell him.

I trust him, but I can’t tell him that we kissed and that might have freaked Sophia out because I ghosted her. It's too crazy even to me.

“She just stopped showing up. But I’ll track her down,” I say, keeping my tone steady. “I can still use her to get closer to the cartel. It’s just going to take a bit more time.”

“Listen, Laurel,” Danny sighs, his voice softening. “I’ve been doing this long enough to know when someone’s getting emotionally attached. You’re walking a fine line here. You need to be careful. The last thing you need is to get wrapped up in something that’ll compromise the mission.”

I scoff.

“I’m not attached,” I snap, biting down on my lip, forcing myself to calm down. “I’m fine. I’m not anywhere close to getting caught up in the emotional stuff. This is business, Danny. That’s it.”

The silence on the other end of the line is long.

He doesn’t believe me.

Hell, I don’t even believe me, but I have to say it. I have to convince myself that this isn’t more than it is. I can’t afford the otherwise.

“Just be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”

I swallow, his words sinking in. He might be telling me this for the wrong reasons but he is not wrong, I need to be careful.

I need to get a grip on myself.

“I’m fine,” I repeat, this time more firmly. “I’ll find her. I’ll get the intel I need and do what I have to do to bring them down. My sister’s out there, and I’m not stopping until I find her.”

Danny exhales, long and tired, like he’s been through this with me a thousand times before.

“Just don’t lose yourself in the process, okay? I need you home, all of you.”

“I won’t,” I say. “I’ll keep you updated....and I can't wait to come home.”

“Good. Stay safe, Laurel...I--”

“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter and end the call because I know where this is going.

I toss the phone onto the table, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling.

Danny’s right.

I can’t afford to lose focus.

I’ve spent too much time on this and now that I’m finally close—so damn close—I can’t let my feelings for Sophia get in the way.

Except... my feelings for Sophia are getting in the way.

I don’t want to admit it, but the truth is staring me in the face.

Every time I think about her, the warmth, the connection, the feeling like maybe, there’s something between us that’s more than this mess of lies and secrets.

But that’s the problem. There is something more and that’s exactly why I can’t let myself fall any deeper down this road.

This is for Emily. I can’t let Sophia distract me no matter how much I want to.

I shake my head, trying to clear my spinning thoughts.

It’s been a minute since I've seen her, seen her smile and her frown and her pout. The distance is messing with my head.

I need to find her and get back on track.

I need to find her. I need to make sure she’s safe.

But I also need to remind myself that this isn’t about her.

It’s about bringing down the cartel and finding my sister.

Still, despite my resolve, I can’t shake the growing knot in my chest.

The more time I spend thinking about Sophia, the more weird I feel.

My feelings for her are muddying the waters, making it harder and harder to see clearly. And if I’m not careful, I’ll end up getting too close to the emotions I’ve been trying to push down.

I can’t let that happen.

I stand up, pacing the small space of my apartment, trying to shake off the tension coiling through me.

This isn’t who I am. I don’t get caught up in emotions.

I’m stronger than this.

But then I think about Sophia—her laugh, her smile, the way she made me feel when we were together—and I wonder if I’m already too far gone to pull myself back.

I tell myself I’ll find her and continue my plan, But deep down, I know it’s not just about the mission anymore.

It’s about her.

...