Page 73 of Lost Hope

Now she understood why people got addicted to this life.

Across the aisle, Ronan sat rigid, staring straight ahead, jaw clenched. He hadn’t said two words to her since they’d boarded. The warmth from their earlier moments in the van had vanished, replaced by this ... wall. She’d seen him shift moods before, but this was different. Colder. Almost angry.

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to breathe deeply. It wasn’t her job to figure him out. She’d learned that lesson the hard way with her father—some people just ran hot and cold. Trying to navigate their emotional weather patterns only left you exhausted and confused.

The mission was successful. They had the data. No one got hurt. That’s what mattered.

Still ... she couldn’t help remembering how his hand had felt on hers in the van, the way his eyes had softened when she’d made it back safely. For a moment there, she’d thought ...

Stop it, she told herself firmly. Focus on the win. On how good it felt to contribute, to use her skills in a whole new way. To prove she belonged on this team, whether Ronan Quinn approved or not.

Rays of sunlight caught the wing, flashing golden. She bowed her head, letting the familiar words of gratitude flow through her mind.Thank You for watching over us. For keeping us safe. For giving me the strength and clarity to do what needed to be done.

The plane banked slightly, beginning its descent to Hope Landing. She straightened, squaring her shoulders. She was an NCIS agent who’d just completed her first successful covert operation. She’d scaled a building, outsmarted security, and retrieved crucial evidence.

If Ronan Quinn wanted to sulk about it, that was his problem.

But even as she thought it, she caught him watching her reflection in his window. For just a second, his expression was unguarded—something raw and afraid in his eyes that made her breath catch. Then he noticed her looking and the wall slammed back into place.

She turned back to her own window, puzzled and slightly unsettled. There was more going on here than just his usual mercurial moods. But that was a mystery for another day. She had a mission debrief to focus on, and the lingering sweet taste of victory to savor.

Star’s voice crackled over the plane’s comm system, startling her. “Hope Landing One, this is Base. Got something you need to hear.”

Ronan straightened in his seat, all business now. “Go ahead, Base.”

“I played a hunch, and it worked.” Star sounded smug. “We’ve got McClelland on tape admitting to the connection with Pantone.”

“She’s brilliant,” Zara said. “I don’t think it took her five minutes to digitize an AI Pantone voice that would fool any voice-activated security. Not that McClelland even questioned who he was actually talking to.”

Austin grinned at them from the co-pilot seat. “This, I gotta hear.”

“Coming right up,” Star announced.

The recording filled the cabin, crisp and clear. “The collection rate isn’t fast enough.” The fake Pantone’s voice was sharp. “We were supposed to deliver way more IDs by now. The buyer is getting impatient. You know that’s not good.”

“You try running a medical facility and keeping this quiet,” McClellan snapped. “These protocols take time.”

“Time we don’t have. Double the intake. I don’t care how you do it.”

“And risk exposure? Your employer?—”

“Sentinel isn’t involved in this conversation. Just do your job, Doctor.”

Maya watched Ronan’s expression tighten at the mention of Sentinel.

Ethan clapped loudly. “Rock, on woman! Outstanding work.”

“What do you think? Pretty good, huh?” Star prompted. “We used AI voice synthesis based on his press conferencesand public appearances. McClellan bought it completely. His responses confirm Pantone’s running this operation.”

“But not whether he’s acting alone or on Sentinel’s orders,” Jack added from the cockpit.

Maya watched the team process this. Christian and Kenji exchanged looks. Even Ethan stopped typing.

“We need to take this to the admiral,” Christian said finally, breaking the silence. “He’ll want to be read in before we make another move. Let him decide how to proceed.”

“Agreed,” Jack called back. “We’re wheels down in ten. Maya, great work today.”

Maya nodded, but her attention was on Ronan. The setting sun caught his profile, highlighting the tension in his jaw. Whatever was eating at him went deeper than just her ledge-walking stunt. She’d bet her badge on it.

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