Rebel Heart

"I know that now," Lana said in a hushed tone.

"Brady, I don't need to tell you how important it is that her vault doesn't fall into anyone's hands," Mr. Tim said. "Take her and the Horsemen to Colorado. I'll reassign the Appalachia militia temporarily under someone else. Lana, I need all the info you have on Greene and who he was talking to."

"Roger," Brady acknowledged.

"Yes, sir," she said quietly. Though troubled, she felt somewhat relieved at not having to keep the secrets alone anymore.

"Can you still monitor the eastern infrastructure?" Mr. Tim asked.

"Yes. I rerouted the ops to my micro."

"Don't mess with anything for a while. You're safer if Greene thinks you're dead."

She nodded.

"I'll go to those I trust and warn them. With Lana, you'll have access to all the emerops depots the feds have east of the Mississippi."

Lana listened, chilled at the coldness and precision of his directions. She knew without a doubt Brady would follow Mr. Tim's orders.

"Check in again in two days," Mr. Tim directed. He appeared pensive before speaking again. "Lana, I need to tell you something else."

I can't handle anything else, she wanted to shout at him.

"I didn't train and educate you because your grandfather or someone called me. You're my daughter by blood. I took you in when your mother died. I intended to make you the companion of some powerful politician at some point, but you showed an incredible aptitude for learning when you were quite young," he explained. "I decided to use that and keep you close. I told no one the truth, because I feared what that would mean. No one wants my boys. I see them once a year at most, but you had access to me and the government's secrets that would've put you in danger had anyone found out."

She listened. She'd always known she was closer to him than even his companions. That he'd hidden their relationship from her made her angrier at him.

"Someday, maybe I'll forgive you for all of this," she managed, hearing the hurt in her voice. "But not today."

"I understand. Brady, take care of my girl."

"Done," Brady said.

Mr. Tim gave her a small smile before the viewer flashed off. Brady motioned her to follow him. She obeyed. He disappeared into a small room off the entrance and returned, PMF grays in his hand.