Page 50 of Final Sins

Jane’s laugh was warm and genuine. “Let’s just say I’m glad you’re here. Maybe now my idiot brother will stop trying to save the world single-handedly.”

The sincerity in Jane’s voice caught Alex off guard. She’d been prepared for suspicion, maybe even hostility. But this ... this felt like being welcomed home.

Bridger stepped forward, extending his hand. “Nice to finally put a face to the name, Alex.”

Once inside, they settled in the cozy living room. Jane eased herself onto the couch with a grateful sigh, while Bridger perched on the armrest next to her, leaving Alex and Jason the love seat across from them.

“So, Alex,” Jane began, her eyes twinkling, “has my brother been behaving himself?”

Before Alex could respond, the patter of small feet announced a new arrival. A young boy, no more than eight or nine, burst into the room.

“Uncle Jason!” he exclaimed, launching himself at Jason.

Jason caught him with practiced ease, ruffling the boy’s hair. “Hey, squirt! Alex, this is my nephew, Kellen.”

Kellen turned curious eyes to Alex. “Are you Uncle Jason’s girlfriend?”

Alex felt her face flush as Jason sputtered, “No, buddy, she’s my partner. We work together.”

Alex bit her lip, trying hard not to pay any attention to the sharp twinge of wishfulness that hit just below her ribs.

Jane caught Alex’s eye and smiled softly. “Speaking of work, Kellen, why don’t you tell Alex about that time Uncle Jason tried to help out at the hardware store?”

Jason groaned. “Oh, come on, not that story.”

Kellen’s face lit up. “It was so funny! Uncle Jason tried to organize all the nails and screws, but he mixed them all up instead. Grandpa was so mad!”

Bridger joined in, clearly enjoying Jason’s discomfort. “Didn’t he also try to rewire the store’s lighting and ended up shorting out half the block?”

Jason’s ears turned red. “In my defense, I was trying to help.”

“Help?” Jane snorted. “You caused more chaos in one afternoon than we’d had all year!”

Alex couldn’t help but laugh at the image of a young Jason, probably thinking he knew better than everyone else, wreaking havoc in the family store.

“I bet you were a handful as a kid,” she said, nudging Jason with her elbow.

“Oh, you have no idea,” Jane replied. “There was this one time he decided to ‘upgrade’ Dad’s truck ...”

As Jane launched into another embarrassing tale, Alex watched Jason’s face. Despite his obvious embarrassment, there was a warmth in his eyes, a contentment she’d never seen before. This was a side of him she never expected—the goofy uncle, the sometimes-hapless brother, so far removed from the skilled operative she knew.

As laughter filled the room, Alex felt a strange mix of emotions. There was joy at being included in this family moment, but also a twinge of something else. Envy? Longing? She pushed the feeling aside, focusing instead on the story Jane was telling.

For now, she’d enjoy this glimpse into Jason’s world, storing away these moments to examine later. They still had a mission to complete, after all. But as she caught Jason’s eye and saw his sheepish grin, she couldn’t help but feel that something had shifted between them, adding yet another layer to their complicated partnership.

A few minutes later, it became obvious that Jane was tiring quickly. Jason and Alex said quick goodbyes, and following a round of rib-cracking hugs, headed out for his headquarters.

Less than twenty minutes later, they’d climbed the other, steeper side of the valley. The electronic gates were already open. Jason gunned the engine, heading straight for a cluster of newly-painted buildings.

He bypassed the main house. “I’ll show you the barn, then we’ll head to the main house.”

The massive, converted barn loomed before them, its weathered wood exterior belying the cutting-edge technology she knew it housed.

“Welcome to the nerve center,” Jason said, a hint of pride in his voice.

They stepped inside, and Alex’s senses went into overdrive. The scent of polished wood mixed with the faint odor of gun oil. To her left, a state-of-the-art gym buzzed with activity. Through an open door, she glimpsed an armory that would make any special ops team drool.

“Impressive,” she murmured, trying to keep her voice neutral.

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