Page 37 of The Fixer

“We’re heading south,” he said, his voice gentler now. “The chopper will take us to the next location. King assures me we’ll be safe there.”

She nodded, her gaze steady despite the rigidity of her jaw. “And then what?”

“Then we regroup. Figure out our next move,” Jake replied. His hand brushed hers on the console, a brief touch that sent a jolt through him. “One step at a time.”

For a moment, their eyes met, and Jake felt everything that had been left unspoken between them. The danger, the fear, the pull he felt every time he looked at her—it was all there, unsaid but undeniable. He wanted to tell her that he’d do whatever it took to keep her safe, that the world could burn as long as she was okay. But the words felt too big, too real, and now wasn’t the time.

Reyna cleared her throat loudly from the backseat, and the moment shattered. “Hate to interrupt you two staring longingly at each other…”

“We weren’t staring longingly…” barked Jake.

“Jake, Reyna is just teasing you.”

When had she become the voice of reason? Isn’t that my job? Get a grip!

“You two are so much fun to watch,” said Reyna. But we need to get a move on.”

Jake nodded, his focus snapping back to the task at hand. “Lyndsey, take the next right. We’ll hit the coordinates in twenty minutes if we keep this pace.”

Up ahead, the open field stretched out before them, a patch of green surrounded by dense woods. The whirring of helicopter blades cut through the air as the chopper descended, its dark silhouette sharp against the bright sky. Jake’s anxiety eased slightly as he recognized the pilot.

“It’s Wyatt,” Reyna said, grinning. “I didn’t know he was in the States. He usually works out of the London office. I haven’t seen him in years. Guess King wanted to send the best.”

“Let’s hope so,” Jake muttered, opening the SUV door and scanning the perimeter as they exited.

Wyatt stepped out of the chopper, his aviator sunglasses reflecting the sunlight. His grin was wide, but his stance was all business. “Sands, Reyna. Long time. Ready to fly?”

“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Jake said. He turned to Lyndsey, placing a hand on the small of her back to guide her toward the helicopter. “Stay close.”

The warmth of his touch might have sent a shiver through her, but Lyndsey didn’t show it, keeping her focus on the chopper. The blades kicked up a whirlwind of dirt and grass as they approached, and Jake’s hand didn’t leave her back until she was safely inside.

Reyna climbed in after them, slapping Wyatt on the shoulder as she passed. “Good to see you, Wyatt. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Jake settled into the seat beside Lyndsey, his Glock resting on his thigh as the helicopter lifted off. The ground fell away, the trees shrinking into a sea of green below. For the first time in hours, Jake allowed himself a moment to breathe.

“You okay?” he asked, glancing at Lyndsey.

She nodded, her hand resting on the seatbelt across her lap. “I think so. Just… trying to process everything.”

Jake’s gaze softened. “We’re almost there. One step at a time, remember?”

Her lips curved into a faint smile, and Jake felt that familiar pull again—the connection that had been growing between them since this whole ordeal began. He didn’t know where it would lead, but it was enough for now.

As the chopper flew south, Jake realized they were headed toward Chicago. The sense of urgency and danger lingered, but so did something else—a quiet awareness that they would face whatever came next surrounded by one of the best teams ever assembled.

The helicopter touched down on the rooftop landing pad of Cerberus Headquarters in Chicago. Jake watched Lyndsey as the rotors slowed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her eyes were narrowed with suspicion, and he could practically feel her discomfort radiating off her in waves. She hadn’t said much during the flight, but the closer they got to Chicago, the tighter the line of her mouth. He could see she wasn’t thrilled about their destination.

Jake turned to her as the blades stilled. “This is the safest place we’ve got right now.”

“That’s what you said about the last safe house,” she shot back, her voice sharp. “And the one before that. I just don’t know that a place of business, one of which is a club is the safest.”

Both Jake and Reyna laughed out loud.

“This one actually is,” Jake replied evenly, his tone calm but firm. “The safe rooms above the club are practically a fortress. King made sure of that.”

Lyndsey glared at him, her hands on her hips as she stepped out of the chopper. “You mean the BDSM club,” she said pointedly. “That’s what you’re talking about, right?”

Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair as he followed her. “It’s more than a club. It’s a secure facility.”

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