Page 12 of Never the Same

I turned from the room when a screenshot came through from Ryder.

Gideon Eduard Avery Wyndham d’Aragon

Nationality: Dual (UK/US)

Branch: SAS, later NATO Tier 1 Black Cell (not formally recognized). Honorably discharged at 34.

Clearance level: Classified Access

Known Aliases: Gideon Wyndham, Gideon Avery, G. d’Aragon, The Gravedigger (internal use only), The Enforcer

Confirmed Sanctioned Missions: 33

Kill Count: Redacted

I discreetly glanced at Gideon. He was near the suite’s main door, speaking rapid-fire Italian as if the man was native born. He’d mastered more than one language, and from the looks of his file, more than one way to kill a man.

Another buzz. Julian’s file this time. Not helpful, either.

Julian William Avery Wyndham d’Aragon

Nationality: Dual (UK/US)

Branch: Redacted

Clearance level: Cryptologic Umbra

Known Aliases: Redacted

Confirmed Sanctioned Missions: Redacted

Kill Count: Redacted

Expertise: EMPs, biometric hacking, nuclear grid override, anything cyber-related

Status: Presumed dead—no remains recovered

I had news for the powers that be who’d created their files: Julian was very much alive, which Secretary Chandler also clearly knew, and now we needed to keep his sister that way.

Alex: A whole lotta nothing we didn’t already know. Guess we just trust them?

Ryder: I’m sure they feel the same way about us. We’re the outsiders this time.

Trevor: True.

Alex: Can you do that, Reed?

I stole a look at Alex hovering behind where Julian worked.

Me: I’ll do what I have to.

I pocketed my phone, not in the mood for a lecture via text or in person.

I opened the doors wider to take in the evening view of the city. The Spanish Steps were in my line of sight, along with several Vespas buzzing in the street below. The hum of chatter outside echoed off the ancient stone. The city looked timeless from here.

I’d never been to Rome before, but I’d always wanted to visit one day. Not for this reason, of course. Where the hell are you? I clenched my teeth, trying to keep it together. Spinning out wouldn’t do Hollis any good.

When a conversation in another language started up, I turned toward the two speaking. It was no wonder I had trust issues with this family.