Page 31 of The Sniper

“Someone else?”

She nodded. “We had a mole. We smoked him out, but now… how many more could there be? This is my team…”

“I get it; the informant might not be Cerberus. It could be someone in the Club, or someone at the Bureau for that matter,” Daniels finished, his tone low but firm. “Reyna, this isn’t on you.”

Her laugh was humorless, sharp. “Isn’t it? I’m supposed to know these people to be able to count on them. I hope to hell it is a leak in the Bureau, but my gut tells me someone inside Cerberus is working with the same psycho that’s targeting us.”

“You couldn’t have known,” he said, his gaze steady. “No one could’ve.”

Reyna shook her head, pacing away from him. “That’s the thing, though. I should’ve known. I should’ve seen it.”

Daniels caught her arm gently, stopping her mid-stride. His touch was firm, steadying. “You’re not a psychic; nor are you omnipotent. You’re human just like the rest of us. Even the best operatives miss things.”

She stiffened under his grip but didn’t pull away. For a moment, they stood there, his eyes locked onto hers, the air between them heavy with something unspoken.

“I don’t want your comfort,” she said, but her voice lacked its usual sharpness.

“It’s not comfort; it’s a reality check,” he replied. His thumb brushed against her arm, a small gesture that made her chest tighten.

Before she could respond, the intercom crackled to life, Caro’s voice cutting through. “Reyna, we’ve got a situation in the interrogation room. You’re going to want to see this.”

Reyna jerked away, her instincts snapping into place. “What now?”

Daniels followed her as she strode out of the conference room, her steps quick and purposeful. The corridors of the Cerberus facility were lined with sleek, minimalist finishes, but right now, it felt like the walls were closing in.

When they entered the interrogation room, Reyna froze. Mitch sat at the table, his usually laid-back demeanor replaced with something she could only describe as haunted. Across from him sat Julius Fowler, his expression unreadable.

Reyna’s pulse spiked. Julius had been an operative with Cerberus years ago—a damn good one—before he’d gone rogue and disappeared. Seeing him here, looking so calm, so self-assured, sent a bolt of anger surging through her.

“Julius,” she said, her voice cold. “I should’ve guessed.”

He looked up at her, a faint flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Reyna. It’s been a while.”

Daniels stepped forward, his presence filling the room like a dark storm cloud. “What the hell is he doing here?”

“I brought myself in,” Julius said, leaning back in his chair. “Figured it was only a matter of time before you came looking for me.”

“Cut the crap,” Reyna snapped, slamming her hands on the table. “You’ve been gone for years, and now, suddenly, you show up in the middle of this shitstorm? Start talking.”

Julius’s gaze flicked to Daniels, then back to Reyna. “I didn’t betray Cerberus. But I think I know who did. And I think I know why.”

Reyna’s breath caught, but she didn’t let it show. “Then start talking, Julius, because I’m this close to throwing you in a dark hole and never letting you see the sun again.”

He chuckled, low and bitter. “Still the firecracker, huh? Fine. But you’re not going to like what I have to say.”

“Try me.”

Julius leaned forward, his expression darkening. “Your mole isn’t just working for the killer. They’re working to dismantle Cerberus from the inside out. Veda wasn’t just a random target. She had dirt on people—important people. People who would do anything to keep their secrets buried.”

Reyna’s stomach churned, but she kept her face neutral. “What kind of dirt?”

“Blackmail,” Julius said simply. “Veda wasn’t just a Domme. She was a collector. And she had leverage on more than a few high-profile players in the scene, some of whom have ties to Cerberus. When she got too close to exposing the wrong person, she became expendable.”

Reyna felt the room tilt slightly, but she planted her feet, forcing herself to stay steady. “Who?”

Julius hesitated, his gaze shifting to Daniels. “You might want to ask your FBI boy here. I’m guessing he knows more than he’s letting on.”

Reyna’s eyes snapped to Daniels, who didn’t flinch under the accusation. “He’s not the problem,” she said sharply. “You are.”

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