Page 136 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
Back at headquarters, I guide Alina to my private office rather than the medical bay.
"Remy can—" she starts.
"I'll do it." My tone leaves no room for argument.
I retrieve the first aid kit from my desk drawer and motion for her to sit. With careful precision, I clean the wound, my fingers skimming her skin more than strictly necessary. The intimacy of the moment hangs betweenus—my hands on her bare arm, her breath catching when I lean close to examine the injury.
"You could have died today," I say quietly, my thumb tracing the edge of the white gauze I just wrapped around her arm.
Her eyes lock with mine, rebellious as ever. She groans, shifting on the chair. "It's just a flesh wound, Ghost. Barely worth the bandage."
"This time. And last time," I counter, my voice dropping lower as I cradle her face, my callused thumb dragging across her soft bottom lip. My chest tightens at how close it had been. "And I plan on making damn sure you stay breathing. No matter what it takes."
A knock at the door interrupts the charged moment. Cole enters without waiting for a response, his eyes taking in our closeness before tactfully focusing on his tablet.
"I've got something," he announces. "Naomi's been making regular transfers to an offshore account. It's well-hidden, but there's a pattern."
I reluctantly step away from Alina. "Good. Keep digging."
We follow Cole back to the command center, where Jax spreads out a map, tracing shipping routes with his finger. "Check this out, Kade. These routes don't make sense for legitimate cargo. They're taking way too many detours."
"Perfect hiding spots for human cargo," I mutter, my jaw clenching. I feel Alina beside me, her arm brushing mine as she leans in to study the map.
As the team discusses potential next steps, I notice Alina absentmindedly tracing the marks I left on her collarbone last night. Our eyes meet across the table, andthe room suddenly feels too warm. The memory of her beneath me, surrendering completely, flashes vividly in my mind.
Cole clears his throat pointedly, and I realize I've missed something he said. Alina's knowing smirk tells me she's fully aware of where my thoughts wandered.
"We need to move fast." I force my focus back to the mission. "Steele's one step ahead, and those kids are counting on us."
Alina's hand finds my arm. "We need a plan."
I take a deep breath, her touch grounding me. She's right, of course. My protective instincts are in overdrive, clouded by the lingering rage at seeing her blood.
"You're right. Let's break this down." I lead her to the strategy table, pulling up a holographic map of the city. "We know Steele's operation is spread out, but there has to be a central hub. Somewhere he feels safe."
As the team gathers to study the data, I pull Alina aside, backing her against the wall of a nearby corridor.
"You're staying here for the raid," I state, voice brooking no argument.
Her eyes flash dangerously. "Like hell I am."
I move closer, one hand braced beside her head, my body effectively caging her. "You're already injured."
"It's a scratch and you know it."
"I won't risk you again." My other hand slides to her throat, not squeezing, just resting there—a reminder of who's in control despite our professional setting.
Instead of backing down, she leans into my touch, her defiance sending heat straight to my cock. "And I won't sit here while you risk yourself. We're partners in this, remember?"
The word 'partners' hits differently now, loaded with meanings beyond our mission. I drop my forehead to hers, conflict warring inside me. The need to keep her safe battles with the knowledge that she's earned her place on this mission.
"Fine," I finally concede, my voice rough. "But you stay at my side. You don't leave my sight. Not for a second."
Her smile is victorious, though she doesn't realize she's just agreed to exactly what I wanted—keeping her where I can protect her.
"Kade!" Cole's voice calls from the command center.
"I've got something! An old warehouse on the outskirts of town. It used to belong to Steele's grandfather's company. On paper, it's been abandoned for years, but satellite imagery shows recent activity and a maintained airstrip."
