Page 30 of The Sniper

“How do you feel?” he asked, his voice softer now.

“Like I can breathe again,” she admitted, the words surprising even herself.

“Good,” he said, his lips curving into a faint smile. “Because we’re not done yet.”

He reached for his kit, which had been conveniently put in the room. When she found out who’d done it, she’d have to remember to thank him. The violet wand hummed softly as he turned it on. Reyna’s breath caught as the faint, crackling sound of electricity filled the air. Daniels stepped closer, his movements deliberate as he ran his fingers down her arm.

“This is about trust,” he said, his tone serious. “If you want me to stop, say the word.”

“I won’t,” she said, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her chest.

Daniels nodded, holding her gaze as he brought the wand closer. The first touch was light, a faint buzz against her skin that sent a shiver racing down her spine. He moved it slowly, tracing the patterns of the rope with precision, the sensation a mix of heat and sparks that left her breathless.

“Good girl,” he murmured, the words low and intimate.

Reyna’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t look away. She held his gaze, letting herself sink into the moment, into him. For the first time in days, she felt like she wasn’t fighting to hold herself together. She was just... being.

Daniels continued his work, the wand dancing over her skin in a pattern that was both deliberate and teasing. He watched her closely, his gaze dark and unreadable, and she realized with a start that this wasn’t just about her. It was about him, too. About the trust they were building, the connection they were discovering.

When he finally set the wand aside, she felt like she’d been stripped bare, not physically, but emotionally. Daniels stepped closer, his hands brushing against her arms as he began untying the ropes. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as he worked, and when the last knot came undone, he pulled her into his arms without hesitation. She leaned into him, her cheek resting against his chest as his arms wrapped around her. For the first time in days, she felt like she wasn’t drowning.

When they finally pulled apart, the moment lingered between them, heavy and unspoken. Daniels reached for the stack of files on the nearby table, his expression hardening as he flipped through the pages.

“We need to talk about the killer,” he said, his voice all business now. “I think we’ve been looking at this the wrong way.”

Reyna straightened, her focus sharpening. “What do you mean?”

Daniels held up a file, the photo of a man staring back at them. “The motive isn’t just revenge against Cerberus. It’s personal. Every target has a connection to a specific mission. Something we did years ago.”

Reyna frowned, the pieces started to click into place. “The operation in Berlin. We dismantled that trafficking ring, but we didn’t get everyone.”

Daniels nodded. “And the ones who got away have been waiting for their moment. This isn’t just about Cerberus. It’s about sending a message. Making us pay for what we did.”

Reyna’s stomach churned, but she pushed the emotion aside. “Who’s the next target?”

Daniels hesitated, then handed her the file. Reyna’s breath caught as she stared at the photo. It was Caro standing with a man who seemed somewhat familiar.

“We need to move,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her. “If they’re targeting her, we don’t have much time.”

Daniels nodded, “We need a plan. Let’s go.”

As they left the room, the weight of the moment settled over them, heavy and undeniable. They were running out of time, and the killer was always one step ahead. But as Reyna glanced at Daniels, his jaw set with determination, she felt a flicker of hope.

They weren’t just fighting for their team. They were fighting for each other.

And they weren’t going to stop until the killer was caught.

Reyna stood in the dimly lit Cerberus conference room, the silence as oppressive as that of an impending storm. Her hands rested on the edge of the long conference table, her knuckles white from the force of her grip. Spread out before her were dossiers, surveillance photos, and detailed mission reports. Every file represented someone she trusted—someone who might have betrayed her.

Her stomach twisted as she stared at the list of names. These weren’t just colleagues. They were her family, her team. People she’d fought beside, bled with. And now, one of them had turned on her. The thought threatened to crack her calm veneer, but she refused to let it show.

“Reyna.” Daniels’ deep voice cut through the room as he stepped in, the door clicking shut behind him. His gaze moved over her, assessing as always, like he could see past the mask she so carefully wore.

She didn’t look up. “If you’re here to tell me to take a breath, don’t. I don’t have time to fall apart right now.”

“I wasn’t planning to,” he said simply, crossing the room to stand beside her. His proximity was comforting, even if she wouldn’t admit it.

She straightened and turned to him, arms crossed over her chest. “Do you know how many people I’ve vouched for? How many times I’ve told myself Cerberus was untouchable?” Her voice cracked slightly, and she hated herself for it. “I didn’t think it was possible for someone else…”

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