Chapter 239

Celeste had pictured Nora Murray in her mind countless times before meeting her. Most of those images were based on Ava Quarles-buzz cut, rough around the edges, more like a guy than anything else. But the real Nora completely shattered that image. Her hair was short, yes, but styled with precision. Her fair skin, deep-set eyes, and naturally striking features made her look like someone straight out of an action series-like one of those badass female agents. She wasn't just pretty; she was dangerously attractive. Nothing like Celeste. She stood there in a slight daze before her voice finally came out, slightly shaky and not entirely coherent. "You're... Nora? But didn't you... weren't you..." "Die out there in the desert?" Nora's smile was faint, ambiguous. "Comes with the job. When you're a special operative, sometimes the mission calls for you to disappear. I talked it through with Ethan before I came back. Honestly, I'm just glad I made it out and got to finish what I started." Then