-myfamilypies- Emma Hix - Secret Agent Step Dad... Official

“Mom doesn’t know anything,” Emma said. It wasn’t a question.

He reached into his jacket. Emma tensed, but he withdrew not a weapon—but a second USB drive. Identical to the one in her boot. -MyFamilyPies- Emma Hix - Secret Agent Step Dad...

Through the rain-streaked window, she saw him. Tall, still in the charcoal suit he’d worn to the “family dinner” three nights ago, his dark hair peppered with silver. Mark Hix. Her stepfather of six years. And, according to the file Control had flashed on her screen six months ago, a deep-cover asset for a rogue intelligence collective known as The Syndicate. “Mom doesn’t know anything,” Emma said

“You left your phone on the kitchen counter,” he said, taking a slow step forward. “The one with the encrypted battery. Sloppy. Your mother found it while looking for the TV remote.” Emma tensed, but he withdrew not a weapon—but

“I can’t do that,” she said quietly.

The rain over Vienna was a persistent, gray whisper against the window of Apartment 4B. Emma Hix adjusted the earpiece, a tiny, flesh-colored device that pulsed with a single, low beep.

She paused at the window.