Page 68 of Final Sins

“How you holding up?” Jason asked.

Ice clinked in Bridger’s glass as he sucked down half his lemonade. “I’m fine. It’s Jane I’m worried about.” He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture betraying his fatigue. “This pregnancy is killing me. Who knew a couple of peanut-sized humans could cause so much stress?”

Jason chuckled. “Yeah, because an instant seven-year-old son and a bunch of armed goons after your girl were a walk in the park.”

Bridger’s tired laugh joined Jason’s. “Point taken.”

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the distant sound of Kellen’s laughter.

Bridger cleared his throat. “So, how’s the mission shaping up?”

Jason straightened, his expression turning serious. “We’re setting the bait. Gabriel’s ‘leaking’ info about his holographic breakthrough. We’ll stage a demo, hope Seven-Five takes the bait. Paige and Cody are working with Mac and Liv, handling the cyber end, creating a legit digital trail that leads straight to Gabriel’s fake lab. Our team’ll handle security and extraction, so we’re good there. Then we’ll see how it goes.”

Bridger nodded, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of pride and longing. “Wish I could be there with you guys.”

Jason clapped him on the shoulder. “I know, brother. But we’ve got this. Your job is here, keeping Jane and those little ninjas safe.”

The corners of Bridger’s mouth twitched upward. “Little ninjas, huh? I like that.”

Jason grinned, glad to see some of the tension leave his brother-in-law’s face. Despite his reassurances to Bridger, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this mission was going to be anything but routine.

Bridger’s sharp intake of breath drew Jason’s attention. Following his gaze, Jason spotted a thin plume of smoke rising beyond the Sierra crest.

“Wildfire,” Bridger said, his voice tight.

Jason nodded grimly. “It’s that time of year. Depending on the wind, we might be smelling smoke soon.” He scanned the parched landscape stretching before them. “Fire will never get over the Sierra. No way it can climb above the treeline, but this valley’s a tinderbox waiting for a spark.”

“I don’t like it, Jason. Too many variables.”

No kidding. He cleared his throat, needing to bring up one last thing. “I told Graham and Mason to stay in town. Help you keep an eye on Jane and Kellen.”

It would mean foregoing sniper cover, but he’d rather Bridger have the extra help. Seven-Five could strike anywhere.

Bridger’s lack of protest spoke volumes. The gravity of the situation settled over them like a heavy blanket.

“We’ll keep the team safe,” Jason promised, his voice low and determined.

Bridger met his gaze, matching his intensity. “You better.”

They clasped hands, the gesture sealing their pact. “See you on the flip side, brother,” Jason said and made his way down the steps toward his truck.

Bridger called after him. “I gotta say, Alex isn’t like the others. She sees right through you.”

Jason’s steps faltered, but he kept moving. “Don’t know what you’re talking about,” he called over his shoulder, his tone deliberately light.

“Nice try.” Bridger’s knowing chuckle followed him to his truck.

As Jason drove away, the dust billowing behind him, he couldn’t shake Bridger’s words. Alex did see through him, and that terrified him more than any mission ever could.

The plume of smoke on the horizon caught his eye again, a reminder of the dangers ahead. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, steeling himself for whatever was to come.

Fighting Seven-Five would be like fighting a wildfire. Unpredictable. Clearly dangerous. And no matter the outcome, they were bound to get dirty.

36

Twenty-four hours later,the merciless sun beat down on the abandoned amusement park, its unforgiving rays baking the already parched earth to a crisp, dusty brown. The derelict Ferris wheel loomed overhead, its rusted skeleton creaking ominously in the oppressive heat. Faded, peeling paint clung desperately to dilapidated ticket booths, while tattered remnants of once-cheerful banners fluttered weakly in the stifling breeze.

The eerie silence of the deserted park was punctuated only by the incessant drone of cicadas, their grating chorus a discordant soundtrack to the team’s covert operation. Broken mirrors from a fallen fun house lay scattered across the cracked pavement, reflecting fractured images of the cloudless sky and adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

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