Page 29 of The Sniper

“Someone on the inside tipped them off,” Daniels said, his voice like steel.

Reyna’s mouth tightened, and he could see the wheels turning in her head, the same thought crossing her mind that had just slammed into his. That either Cerberus, Club Southside, or the Bureau wasn’t safe.

“We need to move,” he said, pocketing his phone. “Get back to Cerberus. Now.”

Reyna nodded, her usual bravado muted by the weight of what they’d just uncovered. She fell into step beside him as they made their way back to the SUV, her silence more telling than any argument she could’ve made.

As Daniels slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine, he cast a quick glance at her. She was staring out the window, her hands resting in her lap but clenched tight enough that her knuckles were pale.

“We’ll figure this out,” he said, his voice steady.

Her gaze flicked to him, something raw and unguarded flashing in her eyes before she nodded. “We have to.”

Daniels didn’t respond. He tightened his grip on the wheel, his jaw set as he drove into the night. The killer had made their move, and now it was his turn. Whoever was behind this had made a mistake—because Daniels wasn’t just fighting for the case anymore.

He was fighting for Reyna. For their friends. And he wouldn’t stop until he brought the entire operation crashing down.

Behind them, the flames of the warehouse flickered one last time before fading into the darkness, leaving only the chilling message on the wall as a reminder: the real game was only just beginning.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

REYNA

Reyna paced the length of the room, the click of her boots sharp against the hardwood floor. The private chamber inside Club Southside was quiet, cloaked in a kind of intimacy that felt foreign to her in the moment. It was her idea to be here, yet now that she stood in the soft amber glow of the overhead light, her mind raced with second thoughts. She was out of her element, grappling with a betrayal that had cracked her foundation and a case spiraling out of control.

“Reyna.” Daniels’ voice cut through her spiraling thoughts, low and commanding.

She turned, finding him leaning against the door frame, his dark eyes steady. He’d shed his usual tailored jacket, standing in just his crisp shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms. The casualness of his posture didn’t hide the strength simmering beneath it, or the way his gaze seemed to strip her down to her barest truths.

“You’re wound too tight,” he said simply, pushing off the wall. “You need to let go, or you’re going to break.”

She crossed her arms, the defensive posture automatic. “Let go? Now? Daniels, in case you haven’t noticed, someone’s out there systematically targeting my team. We’re on a clock, and...”

“Exactly,” he interrupted, his tone unyielding. “And you’re no good to anyone like this.”

Her jaw clenched, but she didn’t argue. He was right, as much as it galled her to admit it. The knot in her chest had been building for days, a suffocating mass of anger, betrayal, and fear. She’d spent years perfecting the art of keeping herself together, but now, the seams were fraying.

Daniels stepped closer, his voice softening. “You trust me, don’t you?”

The question hit her like a jolt, unexpected and loaded. Trust had always been a precarious thing between them, a line they danced around but never fully crossed. Yet here he was, asking for it outright, and for some reason, she couldn’t deny him.

“I do,” she said quietly, the admission feeling heavier than it should.

“Good,” he said, his voice steady. “Then let me help you.”

Reyna’s breath hitched as he stepped behind her, the heat of his presence brushing against her back. His hands rested lightly on her shoulders, his touch firm but careful, like he was testing her boundaries. “Breathe,” he murmured, his tone low and soothing. “In through your nose, out through your mouth.”

She obeyed, her breaths shaky at first but gradually evening out under his guidance. His hands moved to her arms, sliding down until his fingers encircled her wrists. He brought them forward, crossing them in front of her body.

“Let me take the lead,” he said, his voice a quiet command.

The words sent a ripple through her, a mix of fear and relief that left her raw. She nodded, her pulse quickening as she surrendered control, something she rarely allowed herself to do. Daniels carefully removed all of her clothing save her bra and panties. He guided her to the center of the room, his movements deliberate and unhurried. He reached for the silk ropes on the nearby table, his hands deft as he began weaving them aroundher wrists. The cool, smooth cord slid across her skin, and with each loop, she felt the knot in her chest loosen, replaced by a strange, calming weightlessness.

“You’re safe,” he said softly. “I’ve got you.”

She closed her eyes, letting the words settle over her. For the first time in days, the storm inside her quieted. The betrayal, the uncertainty, the fear—it all faded into the background as she focused on the rhythm of his touch and the steady cadence of his voice.

Daniels worked quickly, the ropes binding her wrists and arms with precision, creating a harness that crisscrossed her torso. He stepped back to admire his work, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before meeting her eyes.

---