“I’m the closest thing to a father you’ve got. If our father were here, he’d tell you to go home, too.”

“And I’d tell him exactly what I’m telling you. I’m staying.”

Gideon stared up at the sky again, pleading for patience before shooting another glance behind him. He couldn’t waste any more time arguing with his sister. Claire needed him.

“Don’t follow me,” he warned, jabbing his thumb behind him. “I mean it.”

At the stubborn jut of her chin, he used the one trump card he held, even if he found the notion of blackmail distasteful. “You want to pay your own way through school?”

Her eyes narrowed.

He didn’t like threatening to withdraw his financial support. Even if she did change her major every semester, she was smart and he wanted her to finish school, to get the education he didn’t have. He wanted her to go places. To be somebody—not an agent chasing vengeance like him.

At the mutinous twist of her lips, he knew he had won. He pointed to the parking lot behind her. “Get in your car.”

She scuffed her shoe against the pavement, reminding him of the little girl he used to send home when she tried to tag along with him and his friends. Only she wasn’t a little girl anymore. She was a grown woman with more courage than sense. Like it or not, Gideon couldn’t protect her forever. If she was dead set on becoming an agent like him, there was little he—or Cooper—could do about it. Honestly, he’d rather have her go through NODEAL training and start out with a team than set out into the world as a vigilante and get herself killed.

He released a pent-up breath. “If you leave now, I’ll talk to Cooper for you.”

Her gaze, glowing with hope, shot to him. “Promise?”

Gideon nodded, feeling the frown pulling at the corners of his mouth. He didn’t like it, but Kit’s stubbornness gave him little choice. “I promise. Now go.”

“You’re awesome!” Grinning, she spun around, her fair hair tossing about her head. “You won’t regret it.”

Gideon scowled. He already did.

Claire closed the door firmly behind her, drowning out the heavy thrum of music. Rotting refuse from the Dumpsters tainted the air, and she pressed a hand over her sensitive nose. She was reminded of another alley not so long ago. Only this one was darker and smelled worse. And there was no guesswork involved. She knew what would be joining her. Had felt their eyes on her back as she exited the bar.

Her eyes scanned the narrow space stretching in front of her, searching left and right for a glimpse of Gideon. The opening leading to the parking lot yawned far ahead.