Page 11 of The Sniper

“I think he’s involved,” Daniels said. “Whether he pulled the trigger—or swung the knife—remains to be seen.”

Reyna ran a hand through her hair. “This doesn’t add up. Veda was careful. She wouldn’t meet someone like him without a damn good reason.”

“And that’s what we’re going to figure out,” Daniels said, his voice firm. He stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers. “But you need to focus, Reyna. Let me take the lead on this.”

Her eyebrows shot up, a flash of defiance sparking in her eyes. “Take the lead? This isn’t your case, Daniels.”

“It damn well is. You’re only involved because I’ve allowed it. I’ve gone to bat for you with my superiors. You’re only here because I insisted. And I insisted because someone left a message in blood tying this to your team,” he countered, his tone hardening. “You can either fight me every step of the way, or you can trust me to do what I do best. Cerberus has no official standing; the Bureau does. The mayor and the Police Commissioner both signed the case over to us. They believe there are bigger implications.”

Her jaw tightened, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she crossed her arms, her fingers digging into her sleeves as she stared him down. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

“And yet here we are,” he said, taking another step closer. He was close enough now that he could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, the way her breath hitched ever so slightly. She was stubborn, fiery, and more than a little reckless, but in moments like this, when they seemed to teeter on something more, he could see the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide.

“Do you trust me?” he asked, his voice dropping.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but after a long moment, she nodded. “Yes.”

“Good,” Daniels said, his voice softening. “Then let me do my job.”

Reyna’s gaze lingered on his, something unspoken passing between them. Slowly, she unfolded her arms, her hands falling to her sides. The shift in her posture was subtle, but it was enough to send a jolt through Daniels’ chest. She was yielding—not fully, not completely—but enough to remind him of the dynamic they had once danced around, the one that still lingered in the shadows between them.

He stepped back, giving her space, but his chest felt tight as he watched her turn back to the photos. The truth he’d been avoiding for years was staring him in the face now, and there was no denying it. Working with Reyna wasn’t just stirring up old feelings—it was tearing through the walls he’d built around himself. She was chaos, fire, and defiance, but she was also trust, vulnerability, and strength. And that terrified him.

“Orion,” Reyna said suddenly, breaking the silence. She tapped the photo again, her voice steady but intense. “We need to dig into that alias. Mythological names like that don’t just get pulled out of thin air.”

Daniels nodded, grateful for the distraction. “I’ll have the team cross-reference it with known associates and online activity. If there’s a connection, we’ll find it.”

Reyna turned to him, her expression hard but determined. “Then let’s find it fast. Whoever this guy is, he’s not done.”

Daniels watched her for a moment, the fire in her eyes a stark contrast to the cold reality of the case. He didn’t doubt her resolve, but he had a feeling that they were stepping into something bigger than either of them realized.

“We will,” he said, his voice low. “But you need to let me protect you, Reyna.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off before she could.

“Not because I think you can’t handle yourself,” he said, his tone firm but calm. “But because I know what it feels like to lose someone I care about.”

Her breath caught, and for a moment, she just stared at him, the friction between them thick and heavy. Finally, she nodded, the fight in her posture softening just enough to make his chest ache.

“Then don’t let me down,” she said quietly.

Daniels didn’t answer. He couldn’t. Instead, he turned back to the files, his mind racing. They had a new lead, a new piece of the puzzle, Orion, but he also knew he needed to find out her intel about the Obsidian Cartel.

CHAPTER FIVE

REYNA

The glow from the light of the Velvet Glove’s sign bathed the alley in an eerie light as Reyna adjusted the hem of her tight black spandex dress. The sleek fabric clung to her body, the long dark wig and colored contacts creating a necessary disguise to blend in with the club’s high-end clientele. She took a deep breath and strode toward the entrance, her heels clicking against the ground in a steady rhythm. The night was crisp, the air electric, and every nerve in her body was alive with the knowledge that she was walking straight into a den of secrets and lies.

The bouncer at the door, a massive man with arms the size of tree trunks, barely glanced at her as she handed over her ID. His expression was stone cold, but he stepped aside to let her in without a word. Reyna slid past him, her senses immediately assaulted by the throbbing bass of the music and the sultry hum of conversation mingled with the occasional crack of leather on skin. The club was alive in a way that felt both intoxicating and suffocating.

Inside, the Velvet Glove was a maze of shadowy corners, plush seating, and ambient red lighting that left much of the activity shrouded in mystery. The scents of leather, sex, andcandle wax lingered in the air, a heady mix that clung to her senses. Reyna’s eyes scanned the room, cataloging exits, faces, and potential threats in a matter of seconds. She wasn’t here to play. She was here to gather intel.

A server, a tall woman wearing little more than a leather corset and thigh-high boots, approached with a practiced smile. “Welcome to the Velvet Glove. Are you here to watch or… participate?”

Reyna forced a coy smile, the kind she’d seen a hundred women use when they wanted to appear interested but not too eager. “Just observing tonight.”

The server nodded, her expression unreadable. “Let me know if you need anything. Enjoy the show.”

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