Page 107 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
"The source?" I ask.
"No sign of him leaving the café," Asher confirms. "And look at this."
He pulls up footage showing Alina entering the café, then focuses on a man in the corner. The timestamp shows him arriving thirty minutes earlier, repeatedly checking his watch.
"That's not Simon," Cole says, running facial recognition. "Simon Cohen is 64, retired tech executive. This guy's maybe 35."
"They set her up," I realize, fury building in my chest. "Used her source's name to lure her."
"I might have something," Xander calls out suddenly. "The van disappeared, but look at traffic patterns outside the tunnel system."
He highlights several intersections where traffic inexplicably slows despite green lights.
"Someone's manipulating the signals," Cole realizes. "Creating a path."
"Can you follow it?" I demand.
Cole's fingers fly across the keyboard. "The pattern points north—toward Sonoma Valley. They're taking Highway 101 and then likely cutting west."
"I've got more," Jax adds. "Three gas stations along that route reported network outages in the last hour. Just long enough to disable their cameras."
"They're taking back roads," I conclude. "Heading for wine country."
"Pulling up property records." Asher's fingers fly across the keys. "Looking for anything connected to Steele or his known associates."
The pieces click together. "Steele," I mutter. "This is his play."
Damian, who's been silent until now, speaks up. "Four properties match our parameters. All remote, all with good access routes."
I study the map, calculating distances and approach vectors. "We hit all four simultaneously."
"We don't have enough manpower," Remy cautions.
"Then we start with the most likely," I decide, pointing to a secluded vineyard property. "This one. Highest security, most recent purchase. Ten miles from the main road."
The team moves with practiced efficiency, gathering weapons and tactical gear. Jax heads for the X7, our heavily armored command vehicle.
"Comms check," I order, sliding my earpiece into place. "Everyone stays connected. If this is wrong, we pivot immediately to the next location."
As we prepare to move out, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the glass wall—my expression cold andfocused. The Ghost is fully present now, calculations replacing emotions.
Part of me wonders if Alina would recognize me like this. Another part hopes she never has to.
"Wheels up in three," I announce, striding toward the garage where my motorcycle waits. "Whoever took her just made the biggest mistake of their lives."
Jax falls into step beside me. "We'll get her back, Boss."
I check my sidearm one final time, voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "Yes. We will."
The team moves out in perfect formation—three motorcycles and the X7 command vehicle—a lethal response force with one mission: bring Alina home.
And God help anyone who gets in our way.
We pull up a safe distance from the cabin, and I cut the engine on my bike. The team follows suit, their bikes going silent in the cool night air. Only Jax remains in his vehicle, ready for a quick getaway if needed.
I scan the area, taking in the dense forest surrounding us. The scent of pine and damp earth fills my nostrils. In the distance, I can make out the faint outline of the cabin, a dark silhouette against the starry sky.
"Alright, listen up," I say, keeping my voice low. "Frost, you're with me. We'll take out the sentries. Blade, cover the rear. Saint, be ready with medical support if needed. Nitro, stay with the vehicles and be prepared for a quick exit."
