Page 71 of Final Sins

“Look,” he said finally, his voice softer, “your tech is incredible. But out here, we need both. Your brains and our brawn.”

A reluctant smile tugged at Alex’s lips. “Did you just admit we’re smarter than you?”

“Don’t push it, brainiac.”

As their eyes met, Alex felt a jolt of connection that both thrilled and terrified her. She quickly looked away, busying herself with the camera again.

Don’t go there.

Attachments in this line of work were a liability, a weakness that could be exploited. And yet, as Jason’s warmth lingered beside her, she couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like to let those walls down, just a little.

She kept one eye on Gabriel, who still looked like he might melt into a puddle at any moment, while barking orders to her team through the comms. And if her gaze happened to linger on Jason’s muscular forearms as he secured a tripwire ... well, that was purely professional interest.

The shrill ring of Gabriel’s phone cut through the humid air like a knife. Blocked number. Her heart leapt into her throat. Showtime.

She snatched the phone, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. “Gabriel Reyes’ office.”

“Cut the act, Alexandra.” General Munsinger’s gravelly voice sent a chill down her spine. “Put your cousin on the phone.”

Alex’s grip tightened on the device. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. If you have a message, I’d be happy to relay it.”

“Listen here, you little?—”

“No, you listen,” Alex cut him off, her voice sharp. “Miramar. Tomorrow. 2100 hours. You’ll get further instructions there.”

“I give the orders here, Girlie.” The man practically yelled.

Alex took a moment to formulate a perfect response, but Gabe, his face contorted with anger, had other plans.

He grabbed the device out of her hand, his words tumbling out in a frenzied rush. “I’ve been attacked. Trust no one. Mitscher Field, 2100 hours. Take it or leave it. I’ve got other clients who’ll deliver.”

A tense silence followed, broken only by the incessant buzzing of insects. Then, a grudging agreement from the other end of the line.

Gravy’s cheerful “Hey, old man!” came a beat too late, the call already disconnected.

Alex whirled on her cousin, ready to chew him out for his impulsive action, but the fight had already drained from his face.

“I’m sorry, Alex,” he mumbled, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair. “I shouldn’t have grabbed the phone like that. I just ... lost it for a second there.”

Her fury melted away, replaced by a mix of concern and understanding. She placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling the tension coiled beneath his skin.

“It’s okay. We’re all on edge here. This isn’t exactly a walk in the park ... well, technically it is, but you know what I mean.”

He managed a weak chuckle at her attempt at humor.

Gravy appeared beside them, clapping her cousin on the back with enough force to make him stumble. “Dude. This is some bad stuff going down. It’s gonna play with your head.”

Gabriel nodded, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. “Thanks, guys. I just hope I didn’t mess anything up.”

Alex squeezed his shoulder.“Actually, I think you helped.”

“No doubt.” Gravy’s expression grew solemn. “Dad’s got serious warrior energy. He respects pushback.”

Much as she appreciated Gravy’s attempt to make her cousin feel better, she gritted her teeth. She’d had it up to her eyeballs with “warrior energy.”

She turned to Paige and Cody, hope and dread warring in her chest. “Tell me you got something.”

Their grim expressions said it all. Paige shook her head, frustration evident in every line of her body. “Nada. It’s like he was calling from a black hole.”

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