The Target

Setting Eric Doyle free the first time was the first thing REBEL asked of me, and in some ways, it was the worst. This guy is a poster child for everything I'm fighting against in defense of our country.

But now, REBEL wants me to intervene again. If the memory wasn't so fresh of REBEL saving my life -- and my secret -- I'd be thinking about how to kill the creep and make it look like an accident. Especially since Doyle could give away my secret under interrogation.

Instead...

The SWAT team leader is droning in my radio: "...and is extremely dangerous. Do not let him focus on you under any circumstances. If he attempts to control one of our team, terminate the target at first opportunity."

Behind Jason's back, I'm reading my text messages unhappily. "YOU OWE ME. THIS IS HOW YOU CAN REPAY. FREE DOYLE. --REBEL"

Well, if this is going to work without ruining my life and ending his, I need to get to him alone.

"Hey, Jason," I say. "He's going to cut through those alleys ahead. You wait for him out front, I'll flush him out."

"Be careful, Rachel," Jason says.

"Always am," I say.

• Why does "always" feel a lot like "never"?...