The weight of Aiden’s arm around my back is reassuring, so I take a deep breath and do the one thing I never thought I’d do, but the thing they deserve: I tell them everything.

Mason and Noah barely said a word as I told them my past: about me as Thea, as Isabella, as Hailey, and now, as Amelia. They asked a few questions, but otherwise they let me tell the story uninterrupted. When I’m done and wiping the tears from my eyes, Mason and Noah quietly sit there, processing everything I said.

“I know it’s a lot,” I say.

Noah and Mason look at each other, and as if sending a silent signal, both get up and jump on me, shoving Aiden aside in the process. We’re dog piled on the couch, and their arms come around me in a hug. I laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

“We knew you were badass, but whoa,” Mason says from somewhere on top of me, and Noah’s sound of agreement comes from somewhere above me as well.

I shove them off me with a laugh. “Thanks, guys. Now get off me, you’re crushing me.”

They flop off me and Noah lands on the floor with a thud. “Ow!” He stands and rubs his butt, then sits back down on the couch beside me. “Are we going to set up a trap to catch him or what?”

My breath hitches. “What are you talking about?”

Mason’s nodding. He hasn’t bothered sitting back down, instead choosing to pace back and forth in front of me on the other side of the little coffee table. “Yeah. Yeah, you know, I think Noah’s actually right, for once. Let’s take the control back.”

I’m frozen to the spot, my mind reeling with what they’re saying. “We can’t do that!”

Mason frowns and stops his pacing. “Why the hell not? It’s weird Agent Dylan and friends didn’t do it in the first place. This all would’ve been over and you could’ve lived your life.”

Aiden shifts beside me. He’s been quiet this whole time, silently assessing the situation, but his body is tense. “I don’t think that’s legal, using a minor as bait,” he says.

“Well, good thing we’re not law enforcement,” Noah says, then turns to Mason. “Do you think Tony would notice if we put you in an Amelia wig and used you as bait?”

My spine straightens. “Are you guys being serious right now? Stop it. We’re not creating a trap.”

“Why not?” Mason’s still standing on the other side of the coffee table, directly in front of me. “You’re not alone now, or at least, it’s not just you and Aiden. You have me and Noah on your side now. We all have your back, and we can finish this once and for all so you can move on with your life.”

“I’m in! Let’s take him down!” Noah exclaims.

I’m too shocked to speak.

“No.” Aiden’s voice is clear and authoritative. His hand on my waist tightens. “This isn’t a game. It’s too dangerous. We’re not putting Amelia in danger.”