Liam sat on the floor of the safe house.His back was against the wall and his knees were pulled up to his chest. He looked like a kid who'd just lost everything. Which wasn't far from the truth.Maya watched him from across the room. She didn't know what to say. There was nothing to say. His whole life had been a lie and she'd been part of it. Not the biggest part, but enough. Enough to make her feel sick.Elena was in the corner, her face buried in her hands. She'd stopped crying but her shoulders were still shaking. Nobody had spoken in almost an hour.Liam finally broke the silence."Did you know?"His voice was hoarse and tired. He wasn't looking at anyone. Just staring at the floor like it held all the answers.Elena lifted her head. "Know what?""That he was my father." Liam's voice cracked on the last word. "When you signed that contract with him. Did you know who he was to me?"Elena's face crumpled. She opened her mouth but nothing came out at first. Then she whispered, "Yes

Liam didn't go back to the safe house.He walked through the empty streets instead. His hands were shoved deep in his pockets and his head was full of noise. The city was quiet around him. Just the hum of streetlights and the distant sound of traffic.His mother created Atlas.She was dying when she gave birth to him.She held him once and then she was gone.Liam stopped walking and leaned against a wall. His legs wouldn't hold him anymore. He slid down until he was sitting on the cold pavement.Everything he thought he knew was wrong. Julian wasn't just a monster. He was a dying man trying to save his son. Trying to save himself too, sure. But also trying to save Liam.The genetic tumor. The one that killed his mother. The one that would kill him too if they didn't find a cure.Liam put his head in his hands.He'd spent five years hiding from Julian. Hating him. Wanting him dead. And now he found out Julian might be the only person who could save his life.The earpiece crackled in hi

The car screeched around a corner.Liam's head hit the window. He didn't feel it. His whole body was numb. He'd just given away his mother's code. The only thing that could save his life. The only thing that could stop Julian.Maya was crying beside him. "You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have given it to him.""I had to," Liam said. His voice was hollow. "He would have killed you.""I would have rather died than let him take that drive."Liam finally looked at her. Her face was streaked with tears. She was angry. Not at him. At the situation."I know," he said. "But I couldn't let that happen."Elena was driving fast, weaving through streets. "We need to go underground. They'll be looking for us everywhere.""Take us back to the safe house," Liam said."That's the first place they'll check.""I know." Liam reached into his other pocket. "But they won't find anything there."He pulled out his hand and opened it. Maya gasped.Another USB drive. Identical to the one he'd throw

The abandoned research facility was a nightmare.Broken windows, collapsed ceilings, and the smell of mold everywhere. Equipment that hadn't been touched in decades. Dust so thick it looked like snow.But it had power. And it had privacy.Liam stood in the center of what used to be a state-of-the-art laboratory. Dr. Kane was already at work, cleaning off old counters and checking the equipment."This place is a dump," Maya said, pulling her jacket tighter."It's perfect." Dr. Kane didn't look up from his work. "Nobody will find us here."Elena was checking the perimeter. She'd been on edge since the cemetery. Always looking over her shoulder. Always expecting an attack.Liam walked over to Dr. Kane. "How long until you can start?""Already started." Dr. Kane pointed at an old computer. "I've got power. I've got the files. I just need to recalibrate the equipment.""Recalibrate?""Your mother's research was cutting-edge. Some of the tools she used don't exist anymore. I have to adapt."

Julian's face twisted with rage.For a moment, nobody moved. Then Julian threw the laptop against the wall. It shattered into pieces."Find him," Julian snarled at his men. "Find him and bring him to me. Alive."The armed men surged forward. Liam grabbed Maya's hand and ran.They bolted toward the back of the warehouse, Elena already waiting by the service door. She'd been hiding in the shadows the whole time."Go, go, go!" Elena shouted.They burst through the door and into the maintenance tunnel. Liam could hear footsteps behind them. Shouting. Gunfire."This way!" Liam pulled Maya through the narrow passage. The tunnel was dark and damp, the walls covered in rust and grime."How far does this go?" Maya gasped."About two blocks. Then we're out."They ran faster. The footsteps were getting closer. Bullets ricocheted off the walls around them.Liam shoved Maya forward. "Don't stop!"They burst out of the tunnel and into the open street. A car was waiting for them. Elena's backup vehi