Page 110 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
"It's nothing," I cut her off. "I've had worse. The vest took it. Are you hurt anywhere?"
As Alina shakes her head, I become aware of the eerie silence that's fallen over the room. The fight lasted only minutes, but it feels like hours have passed.
The sudden burst of light and deafening bang assault my senses. Thick smoke rapidly fills the space, obscuring everything.
Without hesitation, I throw myself over Alina, shielding her body with mine. My ears ring painfully as the acrid smoke burns my lungs.
Through the chaos, I hear the distinct sound of a hidden panel sliding open. By the time my vision clears enough to see, Steele is gone.
Fuck, he wasn't unconscious like I thought.
"He had an escape hatch," Asher reports, his clipped tone betraying frustration as he kneels by a nearly invisible seam in the floor. "Pressure-triggered."
I slam my fist against the wall. "Blade, find where it leads. Now."
"On it." Cole's measured voice comes through moments later. "Ghost, tunnel exits fifty yards south. Professional design. Made to look like an old root cellar from outside."
Jax's energetic voice crackles through the comms. "I've got tire tracks by the exit! Looks like someone was waiting—recent marks, still fresh."
"Perimeter?" I demand, still not taking my eyes off Alina.
"Clear on east side," Asher responds with typical efficiency, already moving to secure the escape tunnel.
"South access road has fresh tire tracks," Jax reports, his words coming rapid-fire through the comms. "Driving pattern suggests multiple vehicles, moving fast. Could catch them if we roll now."
Cole's strategic assessment follows. "Based on the escape configuration and response time, this was meticulously planned. They likely have countermeasures in place. Recommend we secure all intelligence before pursuit."
"Medical check first," Remy interrupts, his accented voice firm as he approaches Alina. "She needs assessment before we move."
I nod, making the call. "Secure everything. We'll track Steele—but Alina's safety comes first."
Xander's voice booms through the comms, a hint of excitement breaking through. "Ghost, got something you'll want to see. Looks like our friend left in a hurry—dropped some interesting tech. Want me to examine it?"
"Not here," I order, knowing Chaos's definition of 'examine' typically involves creative disassembly. "Bag it for HQ."
I turn my attention back to Alina, gently guiding her to a seat as Saint begins checking her for injuries.
My hand lingers on her shoulder, a silent promise that Steele won't get away with this. Not for long.
thirty-three
Alina
"Ineed to get out of here," I mutter, pushing open the cabin door.
My legs feel like jelly as I stumble outside. The crisp night breeze slaps my cheeks, so different from the stale air in that cramped room where those bastards kept me locked up. My pulse pounds in my ears, my body still buzzing from the rush of escaping.
"Alina, wait—" Saint calls from behind me, his medical bag still in hand. "I need to check you for—"
"Later," I cut him off, gulping in the fresh air. "I just need to breathe."
The door slams open again, and Kade stalks out, his face carved from stone. The thunderous expression he wears makes my whole body tremble. I've seen him angry before, but this—this is different. This is barely controlled fury.
Shit. This can't be good.
I hear the rustle of leaves in the breeze and smell the earthy scent of damp soil and pine needles. The sounds of nature feel jarring against the tension crackling between us.
His shoulders remain rigid, his eyes locked on me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.
