Page 72 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
We're finally gaining traction.
twenty-one
Alina
Ipace in Roman's office, energy crackling through my body. Kade leans against the desk, arms crossed over his broad chest, those ice-blue eyes tracking my movement.
"I need to get intoThe Bay Heraldarchives," my voice firm and decisive. "Jenny kept physical backups of her investigation files there. I can photograph them with the secure phone you gave me."
Kade's jaw tightens. "No."
I stop pacing and plant my feet. "Excuse me?"
"It's too risky. We don't know who might be watchingThe Herald."
I narrow my eyes. "This is my family's newspaper, Kade. I practically grew up in those archives. If anyone can get in and out without raising suspicion, it's me."
"And if someone's waiting for you?" He pushes off the desk, closing the distance between us. His massive frameforces me to tilt my head back. "You're not going, Alina. That's final."
Heat flushes through me—partly anger, partly something else. "You don't get to make that decision for me."
"Actually, I do." His voice drops lower, a controlled rumble. "As long as you're part of this team, your safety is my responsibility."
I step closer instead of backing away, refusing to be intimidated. "And my investigative skills are why you need me in the first place. You want information on Jenny's case? This is how you get it."
Kade runs a hand through his dark hair. "Dammit, Alina. You're impossible, you know that?"
A smile tugs at my lips. "So I've been told. Repeatedly."
His exhale is slow and measured. "What exactly are these files? Give me a compelling reason why they're worth the risk."
"Jenny was meticulous. She kept detailed notes on everything—shipping manifests, company records, interviews with dock workers. If there's a connection between those coordinates and her investigation, it'll be in her physical files." I hold his gaze. "The kind of files she'd never trust to digital storage."
Kade studies me, calculation behind his eyes. "And you're certain these files are there?"
"Yes. In a locked cabinet that only our family can access."
After several moments of silence, he nods once. "Fine. We'll do this, but on my terms. I escort you personally."
"And how exactly do you plan to explain your presence to my family?"
"I'll be your new bodyguard. Given recent events, it's not a stretch."
I tap my finger against my hip, considering. "We'll need a cover story for why I suddenly need protection."
"We'll say you received threats after your last article." His massive shoulders shrug slightly. "Close enough to reality."
"Fine," I agree, savoring the small victory. "But once we're inside, you follow my lead. I know how to access what we need without drawing attention."
Kade steps closer, until barely an inch separates us. "Let me be clear. If I say we leave, we leave. No arguments, no delays, no stubborn journalist bullshit. Understood?"
I tilt my chin up, refusing to back down despite our size difference. "Crystal clear, Commander."
His eyes narrow at my tone, and for a second I think he might argue. Instead, his mouth curves into a dangerous half-smile.
"We leave at six tomorrow morning. In and out in thirty minutes max."
"I only need fifteen."
