Page 25 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
"And how do you plan to do that without getting yourself killed in the process?"
She opens her mouth to respond, then closes it again. For the first time since I've met her, Alina looks uncertain.
"I... I don't know," she admits quietly. "But I can't just walk away from this. Not now that I know what's really going on."
I lean forward, holding her gaze. "Fine. I'll let you work with me. For now. At least then I can make sure you're safe."
Alina's eyes widen in surprise. "You'd do that? Why?"
Good question.I'm not entirely sure of the answer myself. But she didn't back down from me, and I can be pretty damn scary. Something tells me I can trust her, despite my better judgment.
"Because," I reply slowly, "I have a feeling we both want the same thing here. To find the truth and stop these bastards before anyone else gets hurt."
As Alina gathers the dishes, her movements are deliberate and efficient. There's a newfound ease between us, the tension from earlier dissipating like mist in the morning sun.
"You don't have to do that." I take a plate from her hand.
Our fingers connect, sending a spark surging through me. Alina jerks her hand away, her cheeks flushing pink.
"It's fine," she mutters. "Least I can do after you saved my life and fed me."
I nod, stepping back to give her space. "Upstairs, first door on the right is an empty bedroom. Clean towels in the bathroom. Get some rest."
The door crashes open before she can respond. My body tenses instantly, hand reaching for my weapon until I recognize the intruder.
Shit.
Jax "Nitro" Ryder strolls in, his usual cocky grin plastered across his face. "Honey, I'm home! What'd I miss?"
His eyes land on Alina, and his grin widens. He lets out a low whistle. "Well, hello there. Now I see why Frost was so worried."
"Shut the fuck up, Nitro," I growl, moving to stand between him and Alina.
Jax raises his hands in mock surrender. "Easy, boss. Just making an observation."
He glances at the kitchen, spotting the remains of dinner. "Cooking for your lady already? Damn, Ghost, never pegged you as domestic." He winks at Alina. "He doesn't even make breakfast for the team."
"She's not my lady," I snap, even as my body unconsciously shifts to block his view of her.
Jax raises his eyebrows. "Could've fooled me with all that tension in the air."
I shoot him a glare that would make lesser men tremble. Jax, unfortunately, is immune.
"Alina was just heading upstairs to rest."
She nods, looking relieved. "Right. It was... interesting meeting you, Nitro."
Alina pauses on the stairs, her eyes darting between Jax and me. "Let me guess, you're not telling me your real name either?"
Jax grins, zipping his lips with his fingers before sprawling out on the couch like he owns the place.
I shake my head. "Don't mind Nitro. He's just here for extra security tonight."
Alina nods, her expression full of exhaustion and wariness as she disappears upstairs. I listen to her footsteps, tracking her movement until I hear a door close.
As soon as she's gone, Jax turns to me with a shit-eating grin. "So, boss, want to tell me why we've got a civilian in our safe house?"
I don't answer immediately. Instead, I move to the windows, checking the locks and scanning the street outside. Everything looks clear, but I can't shake the feeling of unease crawling up my spine.
