Chapter 24 #2
“Yes. Specifically, to keep an eye on you.”
“Why?” I breathed. “Was he that afraid of Owen?”
Liam chuckled. “Oh, yes. Beck had the devil nervous. He was the only one who saw Grayson behind the veil. And he was cunning enough to one day find a way in. Grayson knew that.” Liam chuckled. “And with your help, Ava. He actually did it.” He leaned over to Owen. “You should be proud, buddy.”
“I’m not your buddy,” Owen snapped. “You were never my friend. You were Varon’s spy,” he added bitterly.
Liam cringed. “Both things could be true, Beck,” he whispered.
Bitterness bloomed on my tongue. “If you truly are Owen’s friend, then help us catch the Apparitions.” I already knew what his answer was going to be.
Liam sagged back into his seat. “I can’t do that.”
“Can’t or won’t?” I spat.
“Both. I owe Grayson everything, Ava. I won’t betray him.” Liam’s jaw was set in determination.
Owen rubbed at his temples. “Does he have something on you, Taylor?”
Liam sighed and stared up at the ceiling.
“He does, doesn’t he?” I prompted. “What noose does he have around your neck? We can help you out of it, Liam. Just tell us what’s going on.”
He stared at me for a while, contemplating if he should say anything.
Then his eyes flicked to Owen, and he sagged back into his chair.
“I had worked undercover in the Veras cartel for five years. I had climbed the ladder all the way to second lieutenant. The head of the cartel had come to love me more than his own sons. Until my cover was blown.” Liam paused, dropping his gaze to his lap.
“I have a wife and two daughters, Beck.” He lifted his eyes to Owen, tears glinting in them.
“We were gonna run. They were meeting me at the airport. But the cartel was faster than me. By the time I arrived, my family was already taken.” Liam looked at me, a sad smile playing on his lips.
“But God was watching over us that day. Because an angel had witnessed the whole thing. Gemma. She was there, and she saw my family being forced into a van. So, she called Grayson.” He laughed.
“And within eighteen hours, my family was back in my arms. Relatively unharmed. And he’s been hiding them ever since. Keeping them safe.”
We sat stunned, unable to speak.
“Years of service and the FBI had failed me. They had failed my family, when we needed them most. But not Grayson. Not Gemma. My family is happy and thriving because of them. So yes, when he asked me to rejoin the FBI and keep an eye on an agent, I did it. Without hesitation. So, to answer your question, Beck. Yes. He has something on me. He has my undying fucking loyalty. Grayson might be an overall sick fuck, but I won’t turn on him.
You can torture me to death, I won’t give them up. ”
I slumped into my seat, my heart beating in my throat. My mind struggled to comprehend Liam’s words.
The door swung open and Director Devereux stepped inside, followed by the two agents that had stood outside the door.
“This is useless. He will never talk. Take him back to his cell.” The director nodded to the two agents, who lifted Liam out of the chair by his arms.
“I’m sorry,” Liam murmured, his eyes darting between us.
Owen stood from his chair, leaning over the table. “You might have your reasons, Liam, but that doesn’t make you any less of a traitor.”
Pain contorted Liam’s face. The agents turned him around and walked him to the door.
“Wait!” He struggled against them. “I have a message…” He elbowed one agent in the ribs and yanked his arm from the other agent’s grip. “I have a message for you, Ava. From Grayson.”
Slowly, I rose from my chair. My stomach flipped on itself, and my lungs constricted.
Liam’s eyes bored into mine. He struggled against the agents, willing me to listen. “Get up. Get up, Merope!” he shouted as they dragged him through the door.
Was that the message? Of course, it was. One of Grayson’s riddles.
I darted after the agents into the hallway, my head spinning. “Liam! What does it mean?”
“You know what it means,” he grunted, trying to get free, trying to get to me. “You need to listen to him, Ava!” he bellowed before they disappeared around the corner.
I turned, finding Owen behind me, fury on his face. “How the fuck did Varon get a message to him, already? It’s been less than four hours since his arrest.”
Director Devereux had a scowl on his face as he stepped closer to us. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, Becket.” He turned to me. “What does the message mean?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. Merope…” My gut twisted. “Merope is the seventh star who fell in love with a mortal.” I swallowed the memories down. “I was Merope to him. But I don’t get it. I don’t know what it means.” I shook my head, willing my mind to unlock the secret message, to no avail.
“Well, I suggest you figure it out quick. Taylor was very persistent in getting it to you.” There was a hint of worry in the director’s eyes. “And I suggest the two of you go home and get some rest. There’s a lot of work to be done tomorrow.”
Owen straightened. “No, I’m staying for the polygraphs. I need to—”
“No,” the director cut him off. “You are too close to this. I’ll handle it. You are going home to sleep. That’s an order, Becket.”