Chapter 1

The second I finished, a sharp slap cracked.

Before I could react, my face was already on fire.

"Who do you think you're threatening? Go on—call them if you've got the guts!"

Vivian's father—Graham Cobbley—stood by the hospital bed, hand still raised, eyes cold with rage.

Mr. Todd rushed over, all fawning smiles. "Please, Mr. Cobbley. We'll handle this. The school's taking it very seriously. Riley won't get away with it."

He spun on me. "Riley Ray! Look what you did to Vivian! Call your parents. Now. Do you even know her father's the richest man in Northbridge?"

I lowered my head, nails digging into my palm.

I thought about what my dads taught me, then looked up.

"So what if he's rich? She cornered me in the bathroom, shoved my head in a toilet, and ripped my clothes—"

I didn't even get to finish.

Vivian clung to her mom on the bed, crying.

"Mom! She's lying! I just asked about homework, and she said I didn't deserve to study—that even a dog's smarter than me. Then she pushed me down the stairs... She's a murderer's daughter. Of course she's messed up. She's jealous of my family!"

Mr. Todd slapped me. "Call them! Get your parents here. Now!"

Right then, people in the hallway started staring—curious, barely hiding their excitement.

I looked down at my phone. Then it hit me. I looked up.

"Mr. Todd..." My voice came out rough. "Didn't you say my parents are death row inmates? They're in prison. How am I supposed to call them? And if I do... you're not worried something might happen?"

The room went dead quiet.

Vivian froze, then sneered.

"How you reach them is your problem. Afraid? Please. If they try anything, my family could have them taken out today."

She looked me up and down. "Here's what's gonna happen. You and those trashy old men you live with? You're all gonna beg me to forgive you."

'Should I really call them?'

I gripped my phone, staring at the 108 names in my contacts.

Dad Two was at the border. Last time we video called, there were bodies behind him.

Dad Three was overseas. The last time he reached out—three months ago—he was covered in blood.

Dad Seven sent an encrypted message. Said the mission was at its most critical stage. Don't contact him unless it's necessary.

Before every mission, they'd pat my head and say the same thing.

"Riley, if anything happens, call me. No matter where I am, I'll be in front of you in twenty-four hours."

But I knew what that really cost.

On paper, they had to look like the worst criminals alive—because they'd done too much dirty work for the country. Things no one could ever say out loud.

If their real identities got out, the people they crossed would come for them.

And it could get them killed.

"Mr. Todd..." I tried one last time, voice low. "They really can't come. There's no signal. I can't reach them. Can I... just apologize to her now? Please don't call my parents."

Mr. Todd let out a cold laugh.

"Apologize? You think trash like you can fix this by begging? Riley, last chance. Call your parents—have them show up, pay, and apologize—or you're expelled. Today. And forget college."

Expelled.

The word hit like a spike.

I couldn't be expelled.

I still had to get into college. I still had to... wait for my dads to finish their missions and tell them myself. I made it.

Tears blurred my vision.

My shaking fingers lit up the screen.

"Mr. Todd... don't expel me. I'll... call. I'll call right now."

I opened my contacts and found Dad One.

The second I tapped it, I shut my eyes.

'Sorry, Dad.'