Page 48 of The Fixer

“He is,” Jake said, his voice firm. “You’ll find a lot of upstanding men and women play here. Club Southside allows them a safe place to explore their needs and sexuality without fear of blackmail or reprisal. We’ve been through a lot together. If anyone can help us, it’s him.”

Lyndsey hesitated, her gaze dropping to the glowing screen. “This feels big. Bigger than I ever imagined. And I can’t shake the feeling that I’m dragging everyone into danger because of my work.”

Jake knelt beside her, his eyes locking onto hers. “You’re not dragging us into anything. This is bigger than you, Lyndsey. Bigger than all of us. But that’s why we’re here. To make sure Lang doesn’t win.”

Her chest tightened at the intensity in his gaze, the impact of his words. “I just... I don’t want anyone to lose anyone because of me.”

“Don’t worry. They won’t win,” Jake said firmly. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

The sense of danger was closing in like a storm. Whatever was coming, she was sure it wasn’t over yet.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

JAKE

Jake paced the conference room, his phone pressed to his ear as he waited for Marcus to answer. The secure line buzzed faintly, a sound that had become synonymous with the tension of the last week. Finally, Marcus picked up, his voice clipped and wary.

“Jake. What now?”

“You know what,” Jake said, his tone sharp. “We need everything you’ve got on Lang. No more half-truths, no more dodging.”

“I’ve told you everything I can,” Marcus replied, though there was an edge of hesitation in his voice.

Jake’s jaw tightened as he shot a glance at Daniels and Reyna, both of whom were seated at the table, their expressions hard. Lyndsey stood near the corkboard, her arms crossed and her eyes locked on Jake.

“You’ve told us what you think will save your ass,” Jake snapped. “But if you want any shot at redemption, you’ll give us the full picture. Cerberus has resources, and with the FBI involved, it won’t be long before we find out everything you’re holding back.”

“I’m not holding anything...” Marcus began, but Jake cut him off.

“Bullshit,” Jake growled. “Lang’s operation is too clean for someone like you to have just stumbled into it. You know more than you’re saying, and you’re going to tell us. Now.”

The line went silent for a beat before Marcus exhaled heavily. “There’s a warehouse. Not one of the big ones you’ve already hit—this one’s off the books. Lang uses it for high-priority exchanges. The kind he doesn’t want traced.”

Daniels leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Location?”

Marcus hesitated, but when Jake didn’t budge, he relented. “Northwest Industrial Park. Unit 14. It’s not always active, but if Lang’s moving anything major, it’ll pass through there.”

Jake ended the call without a word, slamming the phone onto the table. He turned to Daniels. “Get your team ready. If Marcus is lying, I want him locked down.”

Daniels nodded, already reaching for his own phone. “I’ll coordinate with my team. We’ll need Lyndsey to confirm any materials we recover.”

Jake’s gaze flicked to Lyndsey, her posture stiff but her expression resolute. “You up for this?”

She met his eyes, a spark of determination flashing in her gaze. “Absolutely.”

The SUV rolled to a stop a block away from the warehouse. Jake sat in the passenger seat, his Glock resting in its holster on the back of his belt under his bulletproof vest as he scanned the area. The industrial park was eerily quiet, the only sounds the faint hum of distant machinery and the occasional rustle of wind through the chain-link fences.

“Surveillance team confirms activity,” Daniels said through the comms. “Three vehicles arrived in the last hour. No sign of Lang, but it’s his people.”

“Standard procedure,” Reyna murmured from the back seat, her rifle cradled in her arms. “Lang never shows his face unless he’s sure it’s safe.”

Jake glanced at Lyndsey, who sat beside Reyna. Her face was pale, but her hands were steady as they clutched her laptop. “Stay close to me,” Jake said, his voice low but firm. “Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

“I won’t,” she replied, her voice equally steady. “But I need to see whatever they’re moving. If it’s my work, I’ll know.”

Jake nodded, a mix of admiration and worry tightening his chest. She was brave—braver than anyone had a right to be in her position. But her courage also made her a target.

Daniels’ voice came through the comms again. “Go time. Teams, move in.”

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