Free H.A.L.F.: The Makers by Natalie Wright Page B

and I –”
    “Names.”
    “Ian. And Erika.” Jack regretted giving her their real names, but he wasn’t sure why. They weren’t even on the planet anymore. “We were out in the desert west of Ajo. On the gunnery range.”
    “What were you doing out there?”
    “None of your damned business. Do you want me to give you an answer to your question or not?”
    Anna made a continue gesture with her hands.
    “We were attacked by two criminals. Really nasty guys. I got shot.” Jack rubbed his shoulder where a bullet remained lodged in his skin. “Anyway, one of Sturgis’ hybrids, Tex – I mean H.A.L.F. 9 – he saved us and healed me.”
    Anna didn’t look the least bit surprised when Jack mentioned hybrids. “And my aunt Lilly took you all to A.H.D.N.A. after rescuing you?”
    Jack laughed. “Hardly! H.A.L.F. 9 – we call him Tex – he’d escaped from your psycho aunt. We just happened to be out there. And a lot happened before she rounded us up and forced us to A.H.D.N.A. It was no rescue mission. More like a kidnapping.”
    Anna looked as though she was processing what he’d said. She absentmindedly poured more coffee into Jack’s cup.
    The coffee was hot and strong and the first thing he’d had in over a week that wasn’t consumed in a jail cell in a dank, underground prison. He drained half a cup in one drink. “Your turn.”
    Anna didn’t argue for more information from Jack. “My dad has – how to say this – questioned some of Croft’s plans. So he’s on Croft’s naughty list. If you met Croft, then you may have guessed that being on his shit list isn’t a good thing. My dad is in danger.” Anna spoke about her father being in danger the way a newsperson delivers the nightly news.
    Either she hates him or she’s a psychopath or something.
    “Does that make you in danger too?”
    Anna nodded. “You see, when your dad is one of the Makers, you’re in the organization whether you want to be or not. Even if you don’t know it.”
    “Sounds like the Mafia.”
    “Somewhat. Only the Mafia rules little fiefdoms scattered here and there. They compete with one another and have never organized into one, big multinational organization that runs it all. Picture one united Mafia only more intelligent and with a lot more money.”
    “Sounds frightening.”
    “Only if you know what’s really going on, which I didn’t for the first part of my life. When I was younger, it just meant I had access to more money and power than most people dream of.”
    “Must have been nice.” When Jack’s parents were still married, Jack had lived a comfortable lifestyle afforded by two teachers’ salaries. Not rich by any means, but he always had what he needed. But when his dad took off, the income was cut in half and wasn’t so comfortable after that.
    “I won’t lie. It’s far better to live with money than without. I know that. But being part of the Makers comes at a high cost. Lives are lost every day because someone got on the naughty list. Innocent lives. Whole families disappear without knowing what they did to get iced. So to answer your question, I’m in danger. Thanks to being a part of one big lying, scheming friggin’ family.” She spit out the words like they tasted awful to her.
    “How do you know all this?”
    “I told you. Espionage.”
    “You spy on your dad?”
    Anna nodded. “What began as a hobby when I was a bored teen has become my unofficial profession. I left New York and came out here to get my master’s degree. But also to get away from my dad and prying eyes so I could find a way to expose them and take them down before they kill more innocent people. But don’t tell my dad.” Anna winked.
    Hearing that she was in danger too eroded Jack’s resolve to hate her. But he reminded himself that she was related to Commander Sturgis, and his distrust of her amped back up. “Sure. Your secret’s safe with me. I’ll cancel my golf date with your old man so I’m not tempted to