Page 20 of Final Sins

Alex stared at the door they’d left through. “Gabe’s been following Liv around like a puppy ever since we started RAVEN. I’m not sure he’s ever going to get the message.”

“Maybe she’ll let him down easy.”

“Maybe.” Alex seemed to shake off her concerns and get back to work.

She turned to Gravy. “You’re an outdoor guy, right?”

Gravy puffed up his chest. “Yeah, I am.”

“You can run a kayak rental shop on a beach in Kauai, or a guide service in Alaska that specializes in Northern Lights tours. No pressure, but you’ve got to decide now.”

“Right now?” Jason interjected, aghast. “You’re talking about his future here.”

“We’re talking about saving his life,” Alex countered, then softened slightly. “Whichever choice you make, you’ll have to live with for a year. Maybe two. Then if you want something different, RAVEN will accommodate you.”

Gravy scratched his head. “Well, on one hand, beaches are awesome. Chicks in bikinis, you know? But then again, the Northern Lights are like, cosmic. And Alaska’s got bears. That’s pretty cool. But then again?—”

Mac’s sharp whistle cut through Gravy’s rambling. “Boss. We got activity on the upper decks.”

The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air like static electricity. Jason’s eyes locked with Alex’s, both of them poised for whatever came next.

Jason followed Alex to the bank of monitors, his eyes widening as he took in the sprawling mansion above them. Manicured lawns stretched out in every direction, dotted with ornate fountains and what looked like a private tennis court. A sleek sports car gleamed in the circular driveway.

“Wow,” he whistled low. “The disappearance business must be pretty lucrative.”

Alex ignored him, her focus locked on a lumbering phone company truck parked just beyond her neighbor’s driveway.

Mac’s short laugh broke the tension. “It’s not the business, dude, it’s the background.” He jerked a thick thumb at Alex. “Genuine trust fund baby through and through, this one.”

“At least I put my silver spoon to good use, you overgrown cabbage patch kid,” Alex shot back, her tone laced with affection.

Their banter died as two men exited the truck in crisp, blue uniforms.

“That’s weird,” she muttered.

Jason tore his gaze from the opulent grounds. “What’s weird?”

She tapped the closest screen. “This whole street has underground fiber optic lines. The phone company doesn’t service this area.”

Mac glared at the footage. “Nice try, jerks.”

Jason moved closer to Alex. The scent of her citrusy shampoo momentarily distracted him. He scrutinized the men’s uniforms. They looked legit at first glance, but ... He tapped thescreen. “Their shoes are all wrong. Running shoes, not steel-toed work boots.”

“They’re dressed for speed and stealth,” Alex agreed, her voice tightening. She pointed at one technician’s arm as he shifted a utility tote. “That’s interesting.”

The man’s sleeve rode up, revealing a tattoo—seven tally marks in a distinctive pattern. The hairs on the back of Jason’s neck stood up. They’d just run out of time.

“Seven-Five,” he breathed.

His body tensed, instincts kicking into high gear as he reached for a sidearm that wasn’t there. “How did they find us?”

“They haven’t. Not yet. But they’re close.” Alex activated an intercom. “Mac, stall them. Tell them you need to verify their work order. And get ready for lockdown procedures. Then contact Liv and Gabe. Tell them to stay on their toes and stay away until they hear differently.”

She turned to Jason, her eyes hard with determination. “Let’s get you a weapon.”

“Copy that.”

His heart raced, a mix of adrenaline and something else—excitement, maybe even anticipation. As they moved swiftly through the high-tech lair, he realized that despite the danger, there was nowhere else he’d rather be.

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