Fate’s Unseen Shadow (Cager #1)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

The view of the Alps had remained the same since they’d moved to their apartment on the outskirts of St. Moritz, Switzerland, four years ago. To her left were the Eastern Alps, and to her right, the serene stretch of Lake St. Moritz. Out of all the places they’d lived across Europe, this one was her favorite. The crisp, fresh scent of the air on mornings like these was indescribable.

Her father sat nearby, sipping his coffee from the same green mug he’d used every morning of her life. Maggie, having stayed up late drinking coffee to chat with her new contact in the U.S., opted for tea after only a few hours of sleep.

"I have a new project for you, Maggie," her father said, setting down his mug. He looked thinner lately, the result of an untreatable brain cancer. A horrible twist of fate that a genius would die that way.

Maggie Turner wasn’t ready to be alone. No one understood her like her father did. There was nothing more the doctors could do for him, but for now, he was here, guiding her, giving her direction. She told herself she still had time; the cancer might take years before she had to face life on her own.

"What’s the project?" she asked, removing the teabag from her cup. "I need something to work on."

He took another sip of coffee, his gaze steady. "I assume those late hours last night were spent talking to Ryker Cruz? I’m glad you took my advice."

She folded her arms, not denying it. She enjoyed her time spent with Ryker. Although he didn’t have any clue who she was. "I’m still not sure why you pushed me into that. He’s in Charleston, South Carolina. I don’t need anyone there."

"That’s not the point."

She raised an eyebrow. "Then what is the point?"

"He’s a good man."

The statement brought up a surge of questions and the instinctive rejection of the idea that she needed a "good man" in her life. For what?

Her father smiled, looking younger despite his gray hair, still tousled from sleep. "I can see that look in your eyes. You’ll need him someday. Just stay in contact. I need to know you have someone else in the world that I trust."

"You’ve said that before," she replied. Ryker seemed nice enough. Most of his work involved finding runaway children, using his computer skills to track them down. "What he does is amazing, but I still don’t get why you were so insistent about me befriending him."

Her father’s expression softened. "I won’t be here forever."

She looked away, hating that his thoughts mirrored her own. "You keep reminding me of that."

"Because it’s true. Cancer or not, you’d eventually be on your own. And since that’s partly my doing?—"

"Your fault?" She shook her head. "I love our life. I don’t want anyone else in it."

"I know." He sighed, looking down. "But I can’t leave knowing you’ll be alone. You’re not one to seek out friends on your own."

Maggie snorted. "So you’re setting one up for me?"

"More or less, yes. Ryker can be more than a professional connection." He raised a hand before she could argue. "Get to know him on a personal level."

That was difficult for her. Getting close to anyone was tricky, especially when she could never reveal who she really was. Many hackers tried to replicate her father’s work.

They couldn’t.

Ares Jamison was the best. And he’d taught her everything.

She didn’t want to talk about Ryker. True, it was refreshing to have someone new to talk to online, but she’d trade it all to keep her father around forever, if she could.

"What’s the project?" she asked, eager to shift the topic. "Are we finally going after that Russian mafia boss who blackmailed the president of?—"

"No." Her father’s tone was sharp. "Leave that alone for now." He set down his coffee. "I need you to go after two targets. Gather information and turn it over to the police. Then step away. Stay hidden." His hand covered hers on the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I mean it. You need to take extra precautions with this case."

Physical contact was rare between them, not since she was a child. But as his hand remained over hers, she felt herself relax. "I promise."

"Good. You’ll start with the Vipers."

"Who?"

"They’re a motorcycle gang near Charleston."

Her eyebrows lifted. "Ah. So that’s why you pushed me to reach out to Ryker pretending to be me. Makes sense if you needed a contact there."

"No," he replied, shaking his head. "That was purely coincidence. While researching Ryker, I came across the Vipers and their connection to Albertina Lasa."

The mention of that name made Maggie pull her hand away. "So you’re going after Lasa, and I’m going after the Vipers?"

"No. You’ll handle both."

Her chest tightened with a sudden sense of dread. "Both? But you’ve been after Lasa for two years. You’ve tied him to dozens of crimes. Why am I taking over?"

He looked at her, his expression serious. "Lasa has put a hit out on me."

Her heart lurched. "A… a hit? You mean he hired someone to kill you? We need to leave Switzerland. I can pack in twenty minutes. Let’s go to Italy. Or Sweden."

He shook his head. "I’m not going anywhere, but you will. In my room, there’s a contact number for someone who will help you. After that, head to the apartment in Italy. Stay out of sight. Trust no one but Ryker. Start with the Vipers. You’ll work your way to Lasa. Don’t tell a soul about this. And be careful, Maggie."

She refused to accept what he implied. "But if we take down Lasa, he won’t go after you. How did he even figure out it was you?" Her father was a master at staying invisible, claiming his attacks only after the fact.

A rueful smile crossed his face. "My ego got the best of me. I contacted him directly."

Her jaw dropped. "But?—"

"Stop." He stood and placed a hand on her cheek. "You’re my greatest achievement, Maggie. I love you."

Confused by the sudden tenderness in his eyes, she covered his hand with her own. "I love you, too," she replied, voicing it for the first time.

With a heavy breath, he stepped back and turned toward the house. But he didn’t make it.

The whirl of a bullet was the only sound before it struck him between the shoulder blades.

Maggie sat there, frozen, watching as the only person who’d ever truly understood her was taken from her in an instant.