^^Amelia

I took a hot minute... well, more like an hour to respond to Matt. He had contacted the security detail and told them to bring me to the prison housing Lara. It's been a few days since he left and he had the nerve to NOW decide I should see my wife. I can't believe his audacity. But then again, he's a man and thinks he can make decisions for women. The personnel have been awaiting an answer from me, but have been met with silence for the past hour.

"Fine." I spoke, making them cheer that I finally responded.

I rolled my eyes and followed them to a vehicle. I was surprised they took me to an airstrip, but composed myself. We boarded the government jet and flew to the location. I stared out the window to try and guess where we were heading. When we descended, I got an idea that we were in Germany.

We then drove into the mountains, where I saw a prison isolated on the top. I furrowed my brows since I didn't think it was just vampires inside. I'm curious about the temperature they keep inside since the outside is freezing. I pulled the coat tighter around myself as we ventured higher. We drove for a few more minutes before pulling to a stop.

The door was opened and I stepped out to see a heavy security detail waiting for me. I walked forward, resulting in them turning and guiding me inside. We walked down the bare halls and I could hear prisoners shouting in the distance. I ignored the sound and tried to remain calm. I kept reiterating that Lara was fine and was probably being a bigger headache to the guards.

I was surprised when they took me to a conference room. My eyes narrowed at Matt, Kate, and another man. The man's posture was relaxed, but radiated authority. I subtly sniffed the air and determined him to be human. He appeared to be in charge, but made no effort to speak first. Based on his energy, I'm assuming he doesn't really want me here, but has some ulterior motive. Like he's hoping to get something from me. I knew Matt wasn't just inviting me here out of the goodness of his heart.

I sat down in the spare seat and stared at them. There was no way that I was breaking the ice.

"Mia. Glad you could make it." Matt offered a smile, but I simply glared. "How are you? I know the living situation isn't ideal, but-"

"Why am I here?" I cut him off.

"Told you she's not an idiot." Kate quipped to the man, who was intently studying me.

"I suppose not." The man muttered. "My name is Julian and-"

"I don't care... and you have a stupid name." I rolled my eyes.

"Now, I know why they're mated." Julian grumbled. "Look. You know what your wife has done and-"

"I'm not helping you, Jill." I mocked.

"Julian." He corrected with a scowl. "And she's responsible for the abduction of women into the vampire realm to be used as blood bags and to have forced pregnancies. Are you really still defending her? After the mountain of evidence?"

"Listen here, Jill-"

"Julian and you can't deny this." He slapped a file on the table. "Read it." He demanded and shoved it towards me. "She's done this before and has a pattern for this type of behavior. We're putting an end to it."

"If you're putting an end to it, why do you still need her?" I faked like I read the file and was affected by the words. "What do you need from her?"

"The location of the realm as well as for her to order the girls be released." Julian leaned forward. "And you can get that information from her."

"Why would I even-"

"You have a daughter." I remained composed as he spoke. I didn't even look at Matt, but could tell he was trying to appear not bothered. He didn't tell them. "Actually, you have two. I don't know where the other is, but one is attending a school in Croatia."

"Can you prove that?" A smirk played on my lips. "What's her name?"

"Zena Ricci." He spoke.

"And the so-called other one?" I arched a brow since he knew nothing about Yeira.

"I'm giving you information in doses." He smirked.

"You claim I have a kid." I leaned forward. "What does she even look like?" I chuckled before sitting back.

"We'll reunite you with your children. Or we can have a family reunion and lock them up until you agree to cooperate. Because by refusing to aid, you're obstructing justice and will be deemed complicit and-"

"Enough with the threats."I faked being exhausted. "I can't with this anymore. She's... Lara couldn't do this. It's not in her nature to be like-"

"Look." Kate opened the file and pointed at several shipment details. "She's authorized multiple of these. They've aligned with your reports and connections. I'm sorry, but she's involved. And she's hinted that she's the mastermind."

"The sooner you accept this. The easier. Help us stop her." Julian softly spoke. "You'll be saving so many people. That's why you joined the CIA, right?" I looked up at him with tired eyes. "To help people. And by going in there and asking, you'll be helping so many people. Continue being a hero, Amelia."

"Okay." I sighed and looked down. "I'll speak to her." I breathed out.

"Get her." Julian snapped and motioned to the guards. "We'll take you to the room."

Julian stood and had Matt open the door. He gave me a quizzical look, but I gave him back a distraught expression. His features softened as I walked by him. Kate and Julian led me to a room and I could detect Lara's scent inside. I stopped and turned to Julian and Kate as they explained what I needed to ask her. I took a deep breath and nodded.

Julian opened the door and had me enter. I nodded once more in a fake attempt to pump myself up. I then entered to find Lara's back facing me. She appeared beyond bored to be here. She did stiffen when she caught my scent. I allowed myself to fake nerves, resulting in my heart hammering against my chest. I then sat in the seat opposite her and observed her. I gasped at the way she was staring at me.

Lara had a pissed off look coupled with red eyes. She obviously hasn't been eating. It's only so long until she goes feral and kills someone. Lara moved her hands off the table, making me notice the burns around her wrist. My eyes widened as I realized they still had her bound. I gulped and nervously met her eyes.

"Hi." I squeaked.

"That's all you have to say after PUTTING ME HERE?!" She shouted, making me fake a flinch. She purposely raised her voice for me to know that she was acting. Good, we're on the same page.

"I know. I'm sorry, but... Lara, did you really do this?" I leaned forwards and whispered.

"So what if I did?" She smirked. She was telling me that she didn't.

"Lara, there's so much evidence against you." I breathed out and shook my head. I was basically telling her that I believe her and didn't doubt her for a minute. "Obviously, my first thought was to defend you, but with everything? Why?"

"Don't ask stupid questions." She rolled her eyes, indicating she had no idea how she was framed.

"Your operation has forced hundreds of girls from their families. Are you saying you don't give a fuck about them?!"

"Why would I care about people's families? The only family I slightly care about is my mother and brother." She smirked, but she was asking how the girls were.

"Not even me?" My voice broke. "But I'm your mate. You don't care if they could potentially hurt me." Tears rolled down my cheeks. I was telling her that they hadn't found the girls, but were looking. Lara could draw the conclusion that they knew the names, but not the faces. I did see her subtly break character at my tears, but she quickly recomposed herself. "You told me you love me." My voice got deeper.

"And I do, but I'm finding it hard to love you when you put me in this shithole!" Aww, Lara was reiterating that she loves me and nothing changed from her being in this predicament.

I heard banging on the one-way glass. Lara and I glanced at the one-way mirror to see reflections of ourselves. I knew they were knocking because they wanted me to ask Lara a few questions. I took a deep breath to ready myself before facing her.

"Where are they?"

"They know." She smirked. So they told her that those girls have been taken to the vampire realm and Lara is just going along with it since she has no fucking clue. "They keep telling me, so it's no secret."

"The vampire realm." I slowly spoke, resulting in her nodding. I looked down, so she'd know that I got her hint. "Where's the location?"

"After they know it, it's not like they're going to invade. So it's useless information. What do they plan on doing there?"

"I don't know." We were honestly lost about their next steps. "But I know if you help, then you can do a good deed." Lara scoffed at my words. "Help bring them back. In fact, order your people to return the girls. And maybe if you cooperate, they can let you out..." I frantically looked around like I was struggling with words. When in actuality, I wanted Lara to pay attention to my next words. "Maybe by cooperating, they can lessen your sentence. By a minute, an hour, a day, or even a month. It's better than nothing." I indirectly told Lara to prepare for something tomorrow. "Just help us, please."

"I can't wait for the next blood bag." She licked her lips. Damn, she's really hungry since she's been starving herself.

"Fuck you." I sneered, basically telling her I love her.

"Fuck off more." She whispered. She's telling me she loves me more. What an idiot.

I slapped the table and abruptly stood. I slammed open the door and hastily walked down the halls. Julian and Kate ran up to me. They tried to delay my leaving by saying that I did well, but I was pushing against them. Matt walked to us and tried to hold me back, but I was twisting and turning in his arms. I managed to slip my hand in his pocket and retrieve his phone. I then was able to get his fingerprint to unlock the device.

"I can't take it!" I shouted as I hid the phone. "She's... I'm so stupid." I forced myself to cry. "I trusted her, but she's... how could I marry someone like that?" I fell to the floor, resulting in Matt crouching in front of me. "I'm such an idiot."

"You're doing the right thing." Julian squatted next to me.

I nodded along to his encouraging words. After a few minutes, I calmed down and wiped my tears. Kate offered for me to freshen up in the bathroom. I nodded and walked after her. When we got to the restroom, Julian called her for something. I lowered my head in distress as I entered alone.

The moment I did, I swiftly entered a stall. I had everyone's numbers memorized, so I did a group message to Alec, Lena, and Hailey. I gave them an update on everything and summarized my plan. They knew not to respond back to me since I erased the chat. I then texted Lexi to get into action. I just hoped Alec and Alena would simply know to round up everyone and that includes Lexi. If not, then my plan won't work. I then deleted the message and hacked into his phone's database to ensure no trace of the message would ever be recovered.

I then exited the stall and splashed water on my face before opening the door. The moment I did, Kate opened it. I gave her a sad smile before allowing her to lead me back to the men. I pretended to be in my own world and trip over my feet. Matt immediately caught me, allowing for me to slip the phone back in his pocket. I thanked him when he steadied me.

"I'm sorry, Julian. I really tried, but she gave me nothing but haunting words." I sighed.

"You did your best. We'll have to make do. Thank you."

"Mmhmm." I sadly nodded.

Matt volunteered to walk me out. We passed the mass cell room, where I could see multiple levels of cells lining the wall. I shook my head and followed Matt. He walked me to the car and opened her door. Before he closed it, he took a long look at me.

"What?" I quietly asked.

"I understand that you're a person who tries to be loyal. I get that she's your wife and... but she's done these atrocious things. And I know it's hard to accept, but thank you for choosing mankind."

"That was my job as an agent, right?" I offered up a small smile.

"Yea. Thanks. You have my full trust again." He then closed the door.

I kept the small smile on my face as the driver drove off. The thing is that I was a damn good agent who did things to benefit humanity. Now, I'm a wife and a mother and will do things to benefit my family. I'd never give up on my Lara.