Page 127 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
His hand slides up my arm to curl around the nape of my neck, his grip firm but not painful. "Your idealism is going to get you killed one day."
"My idealism is what makes this worth doing," I counter, not backing down despite his intimidating closeness.
Damian appears at the end of the alley, his impassive gaze taking in the carnage. Kade's eyes never leave mine as he steps back, his fingers trailing down my arm in a deliberate caress.
"We'll finish this discussion later." His voice dropping to a register that sends heat racing through my body.
"And tonight, little hellcat, you'll learn exactly what happens when you disobey direct orders in the field."
thirty-seven
Kade
The elevator doors close behind us with a soft hiss. I watch Alina lean against the wall, her fingers absently tracing the purple bruises circling her wrists.
The sight of those marks makes something dark and possessive twist inside me.
The medical check was my idea. I don't trust Alina to admit if she's hurt beyond the visible injuries. Remy would have checked her mental state too—standard procedure after an operative's first kill.
First kill.The thought tightens something in my chest. She shouldn't be in that position. Shouldn't need to pull that trigger. If I'd been more vigilant—
"You're grinding your teeth again." Alina interrupts my thoughts.
I force my jaw to relax. "Just thinking."
When the elevator doors open to B4, I stride into the command center with Alina following behind. Asher and Jax are huddled over a tablet, but straighten immediately when they see us.
"Well?" I keep my voice low, controlled.
Jax's mouth quirks into that characteristic half-smile of his. "All good. Package delivered, complete with bow."
His eyes flick to Alina, then back to me. "Left it right where you specified."
"And Cole?" I direct this at Asher, whose face remains impassive as always.
"Said he'd handle it personally. Apparently, he already had an in." Asher's dark eyes flicker to Alina briefly. "Mentioned something about having better luck than you would."
A muscle in my jaw twitches. "That so."
"What can I say?" Jax rocks back on his heels, grinning. "Some of us have natural charm."
"And some of us are naturally full of shit," Asher mutters, earning a laugh from Jax and Alina.
Alina glances between them, clearly sensing the subtext.
"How's Remy?" I ask, trying to change the subject.
All three of us look at her.
"Clean bill of health," she says, showing me the gash on her forearm, raw and pink around the edges. "Though the doc wasn't exactly happy about this."
The sight of the bandage stokes the anger I've been keeping under tight control since the alley. Not at her—never at her—but at myself for letting her get into that situation in the first place.
Jax suddenly slaps Asher's shoulder. "Gotta check on that thing. You know, the thing."
Asher raises an eyebrow. "Right. The thing."
They move toward the exit with synchronized efficiency. As they pass Alina, Jax winks while Asher gives a slight nod.
