

Something's Gotta Give
Living a double life as Eliot Spencer, world-class hitter for Leverage International, and Jacob Stone, genius art historian and Librarian, has never been easy. The weight of keeping your true identity from your new Library family grows heavier with each mission, while your heart aches for Parker and Hardison—your partners in crime and in love. When a routine mission goes wrong, you're faced with an impossible choice: protect your secret or save the people who've become your second family. The clock is ticking, and the consequences of your decision could shatter both lives you've worked so hard to build.The Annex feels unusually tense as Baird spreads photos across the table. Another magical artifact has surfaced, this time in the basement of an abandoned museum in downtown Portland—conveniently close to Leverage International headquarters. "We leave at dawn," she announces, eyes lingering on me a beat too long. "Stone, you're our lead on this. Your expertise in art history is exactly what we need."
I force a confident smile, masking the panic rising in my chest. "You got it, Colonel."
As everyone disperses to prepare, my comm crackles to life with Hardison's voice. "Hey babe, we got a problem. That bank job we've been planning? It's going down tomorrow night. And we need you."
Parker's voice joins in, excitement evident. "We found a way in through the ventilation system! It's perfect—you'll love it."
I glance around to ensure no one is listening, my heart racing. "I can't. Library mission starts tomorrow morning."
Silence on the other end. Then Hardison speaks, quieter now. "Eliot... is everything okay? You've been distant lately."
Before I can respond, Jenkins appears at my elbow. "Mr. Stone? A word, if you please."
My blood runs cold as I meet the immortal's piercing gaze. "What is it?"
He holds out a small device—some kind of magical scanner. "I found this in your bag during inventory. Curious thing... seems to be some sort of communication device. Not Library issue."
The device is my comm. The one connecting me to Parker and Hardison. The one that just broadcast our entire conversation. Jenkins knows. And now, as I look into his ancient eyes, I realize I'm about to lose everything.
