Page 52 of Final Sins

Looking at him, surrounded by the warmth and strength of his chosen family, Alex felt a shift inside her. She had no doubtnow that they could take down Seven-Five. This team, with their mix of skills and unwavering loyalty, was a force to be reckoned with.

But as she bid Jason goodnight and closed the door to her temporary room, Alex realized something else. This mission might not leave her with physical scars, but what about her heart?

She was in danger of caring far more than she’d ever intended, about this place, these people, and especially one former Delta Force Major.

27

Jason woke at dawn,his body clock stubbornly adhering to years of military routine. He dressed quickly, throwing on workout clothes and a hoodie, then fixed himself a cup of coffee in the small kitchen of his private cabin and headed straight for the barn. The gym was quiet, the early morning light filtering through the high windows. He breathed in the familiar scent of leather and sweat, relishing the moment of peace before the day began.

Settling onto a weight bench, Jason set his coffee aside and reached for a pair of dumbbells. He was just about to start his first set when the door creaked open. Alex shuffled in, her hair a messy halo around her face. She paused, blinking as she took in the impressive array of equipment.

Jason watched her curiously, dumbbells forgotten in his hands. He’d never seen her like this—sleep-rumpled and unguarded. It was oddly endearing.

“Wow, you guys don’t mess around,” Alex said, running her hand along a sleek rowing machine.

Jason shrugged, setting the weights down. “Can’t afford to in our line of work.”

He observed silently as Alex moved around the gym, her initial grogginess giving way to growing interest. She nodded appreciatively, moving to inspect a rack of free weights. “Nice. Very nice.”

Her gaze landed on a pair of boxing gloves hanging nearby. She picked them up, testing their weight. “These yours?”

“Yep,” Jason replied, standing up from the bench. “You box?”

Alex’s expression shifted, a hint of vulnerability flickering across her features. “Not really. I mean, I’ve thrown a few punches, but nothing formal.” She hesitated, then added softly, “Actually, I was wondering if ... maybe you could show me a few moves?”

Jason blinked, surprised by the request. Alex didn’t seem the type to ask for help easily. The fact that she was asking him, trusting him to teach her, felt significant somehow.

“Of course,” he said, trying to keep his tone casual. “I’d be happy to show you some basics.”

“Thanks. I figure in our line of work, it can’t hurt to know a bit more about hand-to-hand combat.”

It took guts to admit a weakness, especially for someone as fiercely independent as Alex.

“Alright,” he said, stepping onto the mat. “Let’s start with your stance. It’s the foundation for everything else.”

He demonstrated, then watched as Alex mirrored his position. “Good. Now, let’s work on a basic jab.”

For the next hour, Jason guided Alex through various punches and defensive moves. He was impressed by her focus and determination. She absorbed each lesson quickly, adapting her technique with each repetition.

“You’re a natural,” he commented as she executed a perfect cross-punch.

Alex grinned, a bead of sweat trickling down her temple. “I’ve got a good teacher.”

The compliment warmed him more than he cared to admit. There was something satisfying about sharing his knowledge, about watching Alex grow more confident with each new skill.

By the time they collapsed onto a bench, both were breathing hard.

“Thanks, Army. This was really helpful.”

He nodded, feeling a strange mix of pride and humility. “Anytime, Mendoza. Anything for the team.”

Alex’s smile was softer than he’d ever seen it. “Right. Team.”

For a moment, they sat in companionable silence, the air between them charged with a new understanding.

Then Alex’s eyes lit up with a familiar mischievous glint. “My turn to teach. Grab that tablet.”

Jason complied, curiosity piqued. “What, gonna show me how to Google better?”

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