Page 83 of Final Sins

With a final glance at Alex, Jason strode forward to meet the incoming chopper. The night wasn’t over yet.

45

The gentle HighSierra sun filtered through the curtains the next morning, coaxing Alex from her fitful slumber. She blinked groggily at the bedside clock: 9:03 a.m. Normally, she’d have been up hours ago, but they hadn’t even touched down in Redemption Creek until after three a.m.

With a groan, she dragged herself out of bed, her muscles protesting every movement. The few hours of sleep had done little to ease the bone-deep exhaustion. Her malaise was more mental than physical, but that didn’t make it any less real.

The smell of coffee beckoned her out to the great room. Both teams were already gathered, looking as worn and shell-shocked as she felt.

Jason nursed a steaming mug at the kitchen island, his usual sharp gaze dulled by fatigue. Tai sat cross-legged on the floor, his eyes closed in what appeared to be meditation, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed his calm exterior.

Liv and Mac sat across from each other on one of the couches, looking calm as usual, if maybe a touch more subdued.

Alex’s gaze lingered on Gravy, slumped in an armchair. His usual carefree demeanor was replaced by a haunted look, his eyes fixed on some distant point only he could see.

Gabriel stood by the window, staring out at the sunbaked landscape. The morning light cast shadows across his face, accentuating the new lines of worry etched there.

“Gabe,” Alex said softly, approaching him. “I’m proud of you. The way you handled things last night ... you were incredible.”

Her cousin turned, offering a wan smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thanks.” There was a numbness to his expression that Alex recognized all too well.

She understood his state of mind perfectly. The violence they’d witnessed was a far cry from the losses they’d experienced before. Losing their parents had been traumatic, but watching a man die—being an active participant in such intense conflict—that was a different kind of trauma altogether, one she’d had to handle during her time in the CIA. But Gabe had never faced it before.

Beside her, Gravy whistled low. “Home sweet heavily fortified home.”

Alex couldn’t help but smile, even as her stomach tightened with anticipation of the debriefing to come. Relief at being back warred with the weight of what they’d uncovered.

Bridger strode towards them, his usual stoic demeanor tinged with an undercurrent of excitement. “Welcome back. Glad to see you all in one piece.”

“Mostly,” Cody quipped, rubbing his bruised jaw.

Bridger’s lips twitched. “I feel you. Jane’s C-section is scheduled for tomorrow. Looks like I’ll be trading one kind of sleep deprivation for another.”

Alex felt a pang in her chest. New life. New beginnings. While they grappled with the darkness they’d uncovered, the juxtaposition was almost poetic.

The sound of footsteps drew her attention to the doorway. A slender, silver-haired woman entered the room, her presence immediately commanding attention. Despite her age, whichAlex estimated to be in her late sixties or early seventies, the woman moved with the grace and poise of someone much younger. Her slim-fitting tech tee and cargo pants and perfectly coiffed hair spoke of meticulous attention to detail.

Alex found herself instinctively standing straighter as the woman studied the room. There was an aura of quiet authority about her that was impossible to ignore.

Bridger stepped forward, a hint of respect in his voice as he addressed the group. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Pegasus. She’s here to assist with the debriefing and help coordinate our next steps.”

The woman—Pegasus—nodded in acknowledgment. Her gaze settled on Alex, and a small smile played at the corners of her mouth. “Ms. Mendoza. I’ve heard a great deal about you. I look forward to hearing your report.”

“Likewise, ma’am,” Alex replied, a mix of respect and wariness coloring her tone. According to the Redemption Creek team, the woman was a legend in their world. Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that the evil cabal’s fate now rested in her elegant, manicured hands.

As Pegasus glided farther into the room to greet the others, Alex caught Bridger’s eye. He gave her a subtle nod, as if to say, “Yes, she’s as formidable as you think.” Alex squared her shoulders, steeling herself for what promised to be an intense debriefing.

While Pegasus conferred in the kitchen with Bridger and Tai, Gabe stretched, his joints popping audibly. “As impressive as this place is, I can’t wait to get back to LA. It’s too quiet out here. I miss the city buzz.”

Liv nodded emphatically. “Agreed. And where am I supposed to find a decent Krav Maga dojo out here in the boonies?”

Alex blinked, momentarily thrown. “Krav Maga? Since when?”

Liv shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eye. “A girl’s gotta have hobbies.”

Mac, however, seemed lost in thought. “I don’t know. I could see myself out here. Maybe get a ranch. Some cows ...”

Gabe snorted. “You? Mr. Tech-Wizard with pet cows? I’d pay to see that.”

---