Page 155 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost
"We make the best team." I start the engine, noting how her reaction affects me. No judgment. No fear. Just appreciation for what I am instead of horror at what I do.
The conference room door stands open when we arrive back at the compound. Kade sits at his usual position, manila folder closed on the table surface. Alina occupies the seat beside him, sharp green eyes tracking our entry with predatory interest.
"Report." Kade's voice carries professional neutrality, but I catch the slight tension in his massive frame. Waiting for evidence that I've proven his assessment correct.
"Williams eliminated at 1632 hours. No complications, no witnesses, no recoverable evidence." I set my pack beside the table, mission parameters fulfilled with mathematical precision. "Assignment completed ahead of schedule."
"Clean work?" Kade prompts.
"Flawless work." I meet his eyes directly. "Because I had technical support that turned a routine elimination into a masterpiece of operational planning."
Vanessa shifts beside me, confidence radiating from her posture despite the oversized sweatshirt and evidence of earlier tears.
"Ms. Reyes provided real-time digital security, camera system manipulation, and forensic countermeasures that eliminated every trace of operational presence." I continue. "What should have been standard contract work became textbook perfection because she was there."
Kade's expression shifts slightly. Assessment replacing skepticism in those commanding blue eyes.
"You're saying she improved mission effectiveness."
"I'm saying she made me better." The admission comes out without hesitation. "Sharper, more focused, more lethal than I've been in months. The tactical advantage of partnership outweighed the risk by orders of magnitude."
Alina's laugh breaks through the professional atmosphere like sunlight through storm clouds.
"It's about time." She grins at Vanessa with sisterly affection that makes everything click into place. "Though I have to say, watching him pace around here for the last few hours wondering if he'd completely screwed up was pretty entertaining."
Heat floods Kade's neck. "I wasn't pacing."
"The point is," Alina continues, settling back in her chair like she's enjoying this far too much, "Vanessa called me crying about three hours ago because the man she loves finally heard her say 'I love you' and responded with complete silence."
My stomach drops. "You talked to her?"
"Of course we talked," Alina's green eyes sparkle with mischief. "She needed someone to remind her that you're emotionally constipated, not heartless. Though I have to admit, I was starting to wonder if I'd overestimated your capacity for basic human feelings."
"Alina." Kade's warning tone carries enough authority to level buildings.
"What? He finally told her he loves her back. About damn time." She turns to Vanessa with satisfaction written across her features. "How does it feel to be with someone who finally pulled his head out of his tactical manual long enough to express actual emotion?"
Vanessa's cheeks flush pink, but she doesn't backing down. "Pretty good. Especially since he proved that loving someone makes him more effective, not less."
The truth hangs in the conference room air like victory confirmed by mathematics.
Kade closes the folder with decisive finality. "Assignment parameters met with exceptional results. Ms. Reyes' operational status restored to full team integration."
Vanessa clears her throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Actually, while I appreciate being welcomed back, and I'm absolutely willing to help with field operations when needed—the adrenaline rush was incredible—I'd prefer to collaborate with Cole on the legitimate CPG side of things."
She glances between Kade and me with that brilliant smile. "Much easier to explain to my Filipino parents that I work for a respectable security consulting firm than... well, whatever we'd call the shadow operations."
"Plus," Vanessa adds with a grin, "I can always moonlight for the exciting stuff when you need someone to make Asher's eliminations look like accidents instead of assassinations."
Relief floods through my chest like decompression after deep water diving.
"However," Kade continues, and ice returns to my veins. "Future displays of insubordination will result in immediate dismissal regardless of mission success rates."
"Understood." I meet his gaze directly. "But I reserve the right to protect what matters most to operational effectiveness."
A slight smile cracks his professional facade. "Dismissed. Both of you. Try not to let newfound emotional honesty compromise tomorrow's briefing schedule."
Vanessa's hand finds mine as we head toward the door, fingers interlacing with precision that feels like coming home.
