Page 138 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
I let out a low chuckle despite myself. Jax's dumb jokes always ease the tension, even if no one wants to admit it. We need that right now.
In the vehicle, Alina sits beside me, close enough that I can feel the heat from her thigh against mine. The subtle vanilla scent of her shampoo cuts through the smell of gun oil and leather. My hand finds her knee, squeezing once in silent communication.
The drive to our insertion point is tense but focused. As we near the airstrip, Asher's voice crackles over the comms.
"Drone's up, Ghost. I've got eyes on the target."
"What do you see?"
There's a pause, and I can almost hear Asher's frown. "Not much activity... wait. Three vehicles just pulled up to the main hangar. Looks like they're unloading something."
My gut tightens. "Blade, any chatter?"
"Nothing concrete, but I'm picking up some encrypted bursts. They're definitely communicating about something."
I exchange a glance with Alina. Her expression mirrors my own unease. Before I can stop myself, my hand finds the back of her neck, fingers threading into her hair at the base of her skull. A reminder.Mine to protect. Mine to command.
"Alright, team. We stick to the plan, but stay alert. Something doesn't feel right."
I push down the nagging worry in my gut as we get closer to our assigned spots. Something about this feels off, like we're about to step right into Steele's web. But we've invested too much. Whatever dirty tricks that bastard has up his sleeve, my team will handle it. We always do.
When I signal to hold position, Alina presses close to my side. The heat of her body against mine creates a momentary distraction I can't afford but crave nonetheless. Her scent hits my senses, and I have to force myself to focus on the mission instead of burying my face in her neck.
"Movement detected, northeast corner," Asher's voice crackles through the comm. "Two... no, three figures. They're trying to stay hidden."
My mind races through possible scenarios. This isn't right. We should be observing an empty airfield, not stumbling into an occupied zone.
"Everyone, high alert," I order, my voice low and controlled. "Nitro, status?"
"Boss, I'm picking up some weird interference," Jax responds, frustration evident in his tone. "Someone's trying to jam our comms. I can counter it, but it'll take a minute."
Damn it.This is feeling less like recon and more like walking into a hornets' nest with each passing second.
"Chaos, be ready with those diversion packages. We might need a quick exit strategy."
"Roger that, Ghost," Xander's reply is steady, professional. "I've got three options prepped. Just say the word."
I catch Alina's eye. To her credit, she looks focused, not panicked. Her training's kicking in.Good.The fiercelook of determination in those green eyes makes my chest tighten with something beyond pride.
"Stay sharp," I mutter to her, leaning in close enough that my lips brush her ear. "This might get messy fast." I resist the urge to bite her earlobe, to mark her even now, with danger circling us.
She nods, her hand instinctively checking her sidearm. I push down a surge of possessiveness. She's part of the team now. I need to trust her abilities, even as every instinct screams to keep her behind me.
Suddenly, the air splits with the sharp crack of gunfire. A figure steps out from behind a hangar, illuminated by the harsh glow of floodlights that burst to life.
"Well, well," a smooth voice carries across the tarmac. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show, Ghost."
Steele. The bastard knew we were coming.
"Team, engage!" I shout, diving for cover as bullets whiz past. My arm instinctively wraps around Alina's waist, pulling her with me behind a concrete barrier. "Frost, find me a clear shot on Steele!"
The night explodes into fucking mayhem. Muzzle flashes light up the darkness as my team springs into action. Frost's rifle cracks out precise shots from his elevated position, providing crucial cover fire.
To my left, I see Chaos deploying smoke grenades, creating a protective screen for our movement. The acrid smell fills my nostrils as I sprint to a better vantage point.
"Nitro, get those vehicles in position for a quick evac!" I order, squeezing off two shots at a hostile trying to flank us.
"On it, boss!" Jax's voice is strained but determined. I hear engines roaring to life over the gunfire.
