Page 19 of The Fixer

“No,” Jake admitted. “But it’s safer than staying here.”

Jake hid the SUV in the dense foliage where it would be difficult to see. They reached the dock without incident, and Jake helped Lyndsey into the boat. The small vessel was unassuming but fast, its engine already primed for a quickgetaway. Jake cast off the ropes and slid into the driver’s seat, starting the motor with a low growl.

“Stay low,” he ordered, glancing back at her as he guided the boat away from the dock.

Lyndsey did as he said. The tension in her body was palpable, but she kept her eyes on him. He couldn’t help but admire her—even as frightened as she was, it seemed to him that she had placed her trust in him and was managing to hold it together.

The boat skimmed across the water, skirting along the shoreline and avoiding open water where they would be easier to spot. It had taken more time, but Jake hadn’t wanted to risk taking a plane. The rhythmic slap of waves against the hull masked any distant sounds of pursuit. Jake’s eyes scanned the horizon, his every sense on high alert. After what felt like an eternity, the faint outline of the cabin came into view, its dark silhouette barely discernible against the tree line.

They docked at the secluded inlet near the cabin, where Jake had stashed the SUV earlier. He tied off the boat and helped Lyndsey onto the shore, his hand lingering on her arm a moment longer than necessary. He’d listened to his friends share stories about getting involved with their charges, how it heightened not just their awareness but also their desire and instinct to protect them.

“Almost there,” he said, his voice softer now.

Lyndsey nodded, her gaze steady despite the flicker of fear in her eyes. “You think they’ll come after us here?”

“They’ll have to find us first,” Jake replied, leading her to the vehicle. “And this location has always been secure.” He opened the passenger door, waiting until she was safely inside before circling to the driver’s seat.

The drive to the cabin was uneventful, but there was still some residual concern from their earlier encounter. Jake couldn’t help being concerned about seeing Victor Lang’s nameconnected with Lyndsey’s project. Jake’s grip on the wheel was firm, his eyes darting to the rearview mirror every few seconds. Lyndsey sat quietly beside him, her hands folded in her lap, her mind clearly racing.

When they reached the cabin, Jake parked the SUV in the shed, securing the door before leading Lyndsey inside. After ensuring the cabin had been undisturbed and was secure, he locked every window and door, resetting the motion detectors and perimeter alarms with practiced efficiency.

Lyndsey stood in the center of the living room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “Do you think they’ll figure out where we are?”

“Not tonight,” Jake said, moving to stand in front of her. “But we need to be ready.”

Her eyes searched his face, her fear mingling with something else—something unspoken but undeniable. “Jake... thank you. For getting me out of there.”

His eyes softened, lifting some of the danger inherent in the situation. “It’s my job,” he said, but his voice held a warmth that hadn’t been there before.

Lyndsey reached out, her fingers brushing his arm. “It’s more than that, isn’t it?”

Jake’s breath hitched, the intensity of her gaze cutting through his usual stoicism. He stepped closer, his voice low. “Lyndsey, I need you to trust me. Not just with your safety, but with everything. Can you do that?”

She nodded, her pulse quickening. “I already do.”

The room seemed to shrink, the air almost suffocated by stress. Jake’s hand lingered near hers, his body a barrier against the chaos outside. For a brief, fleeting moment, the danger felt distant, overshadowed by the undeniable pull between them.

But the moment passed, and Jake stepped back, his jaw tightening. “Go to bed, Lyndsey.”

“I’m not sleepy.”

“Then curl up on the couch. We’ll go over the intel in the morning.”

Jake stepped away, feeling Lyndsey’s gaze linger on him. He could sense the depth of her emotions, even if she didn’t voice them. Relief, fear, something deeper—he couldn’t untangle it all. The danger wasn’t over, not by a long shot, but one thing was becoming clear: Lyndsey trusted him with her life. That truth settled heavily on him, stirring something unfamiliar. Protecting her wasn’t just a job anymore—it was personal. And maybe that scared him more than the enemies closing in.

The cabin was dimly lit, the flicker of the fireplace casting long shadows across the room. Jake sat in the armchair closest to the door, his Glock resting on the side table within easy reach. Across from him, Lyndsey curled up on the sofa, a blanket draped over her lap. The strain from their escape still lingered, but the adrenaline was beginning to ebb.

Lyndsey broke the silence first, her voice soft but insistent. “Jake, you knew the name in the notes section of that access log. Who is he?”

Jake leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His eyes locked onto hers, and he considered softening the blow. But Lyndsey wasn’t the type to shy away from the truth. “Victor Lang.”

Her brows furrowed. “I’ve heard of him. Isn’t he some kind of tech mogul?”

“He’s a lot more than that,” Jake said grimly. “Lang built his fortune on legitimate enterprises, but he’s got deep ties to the underworld. Weapons trafficking, information brokering, black-market tech deals—you name it. If it’s illegal and profitable, Lang’s probably involved.”

Lyndsey’s grip on the blanket tightened. “And you think he’s after my research?”

“I don’t think,” Jake said, his voice firm. “I know. Lang’s name came up in a recent mission I worked.”

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