THE MISSION

“General Lucas, please step inside.” The heavy doors of the conference room slid open

inside, a line of officials rose to their feet their chairs scraped back in unison and then came the sound of dozens of voices “General Lucas” Vanessa stopped at the head of the table her expression stayed calm. “At ease.”

The President himself stood at the center his tone carried authority “Vanessa Lucas, today we acknowledge your years of sacrifice.”

He motioned and an aide stepped forward with a velvet box.

The lid opened and inside lay the badge of a Five-Star General.

The President’s voice rang out "From this moment you are promoted to Five-Star General of the nation.”

Applause filled the room.

Vanessa’s lips curved faintly “I accept. Thank you Mr. President i only hope this means I can finally retire in peace.”

“Retire?” The President’s brows lifted his voice hardened “No. Not yet.”

The applause died instantly.

Vanessa’s gaze sharpened “Sir, I have given everything isn’t it time to let me go?”

The President cut her off. “Dismissed.”

The room fell silent the officials exchanged glances then one by one they went out until only the two of them remained.

The President pushed a folder across the table “There is one more mission. Confidential. Only you can do it.”

Vanessa stared at the file “Another mission?” Her tone was abrupt. “Mr. President do you know how many times i have bled for this country? How many years i have been buried behind these walls of secrecy? You promised me retirement.”

His voice lowered but stayed firm “I also promised you the truth. The truth is without you, we are exposed. Read the file memorize it and burn it.”

He leaned closer. “You now have Level One clearance. Any resource, any person you need—you take them. No one will question you.”

For a moment, the room held nothing but the hum of the hologram above them.

Vanessa finally exhaled. “Understood.”

The President nodded “I knew you would not fail me.”

Outside the conference room Vanessa walked with the folder pressed under her arm her mind spun but her face remained unreadable.

She had just stepped out into the open courtyard when a loud voice echoed across the space “VANESSA!”

She turned her head just in time to see a tall figure running towards her and before she could react his strong arms wrapped around her and lifted her off the ground.

“Finally!” The man laughed spinning her once before planting her firmly back down “Finally you are out!”

Vanessa shoved at his chest “Damien! Put me down!”

The guards rushed over, faces pale. “General Lucas! Forgive us! He he pushed past security, we tried to stop him”

“Enough,” Vanessa snapped she pinched the bridge of her nose “Stand down he will not hurt me.”

Damien grin from ear to ear, shamelessly “Of course I won’t. How could I ever hurt my Vanessa?”

“Your Vanessa?” She shot him a sharp look “Don’t start.”

But Damien only leaned in closer, his eyes shining. “I heard the news. Divorce. Prison release. And you didn’t even call me? Do you know how worried I was?”

Vanessa’s tone went flat. “Worried? Or nosy?”

“Both,” he admitted cheerfully. “But mostly worried. Do you think I could sit comfortably in my CEO chair while you suffered in that hellhole? Not a chance.”

“You are exaggerating,” she muttered.

“Am I?” Damien lifted her wrist gently frowning at the faint marks the cuffs had left “Look at you. Do you think this does not make me angry? Jacob never deserved you.”

Her lips thinned. “That is not your place to say.”

“It is if he’s an idiot who let you go,” Damien shot back. His voice rose, drawing stares from the guards. “Who divorces Vanessa Lucas? Who’s that blind?”

Vanessa tugged her hand free. “Enough, Damien.”

“No not enough.” He folded his arms stubbornly “You know what? From today I am staking my claim let him walk away if he wants i will be the one standing by you.”

Her eyes narrowed “You’re impossible.”

“And you like me that way,” he joked grinning shamelessly.

“Damien”

“Don’t bother refusing.” He leaned closer lowering his voice to a muscly whisper “You’re coming with me tonight, dinner, wine and don’t even think of running away cause i will drag you there myself if I have to.”

She gave him a long cold stare “You think threats will work on me?”

His grin widened “Not threats. Promises.”

The guards exchanged glances half frightened and half thrilled.

Finally Vanessa sighed and shook her head “One drink then you leave me alone.”

“One drink?” Damien clutched his chest dramatically. “You wound me. Do you know how long I’ve waited to celebrate your freedom? One drink isn’t enough!”

“Then savor it,” she retorted.

Damien laughed, unbothered. “Fine. One drink… tonight. But do not blame me when I make it unforgettable.”

Vanessa rubbed her forehead already regretting her concession. But Damien’s grin only grew brighter as he walked beside her ignoring the bewildered guards trailing behind.

And so, the woman who had just been handed the nation’s greatest secrets found herself dragged into another kind of battle, this one against the relentless energy of Damien Xander.