Page 66 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost
"Better than in. I'm invisible. Their system thinks I'm an administrative refresh cycle." Pride colors her voice as she turns her laptop toward me. "See? Complete access to their security feeds, door controls, everything."
Cole nods appreciatively from the front passenger seat, his tablet displaying a detailed schematic of the building.
"Excellent work. I've mapped all potential exit vectors and contingencies." He zooms in on the southwest corner. "Primary extraction route secured."
"Financial transactions confirmed," Cole states with precision, swiping to a new screen. "Vertex Models shows quarterly payments to Paradise Elite coded as 'consultant fees.' Six figures each transfer."
"Fucking knew it." I lean closer to the screen, my shoulder brushing against Vanessa's. The contact sends a surge through my body that I refuse to acknowledge.
A delivery truck pulls up to the building's loading dock, and Vanessa literally bounces in her seat, pointing at her screen.
"There, see how they're checking ID twice but only logging it once?" Her entire body vibrates with excitement that reminds me of a predator spotting prey.
I exchange a meaningful glance with Cole, who gives a single, deliberate nod. His strategic mind is already calculating what this means.
"Dual verification system," he confirms. "One official, one off-books."
Jax interrupts from behind the wheel, his body suddenly alert like a hunting dog. "Southeast entrance has movement. Two security guards just changed shifts without overlap. There's your access window."
Without missing a beat, Cole begins recalculating on his tablet. "Adjusting approach vectors now. That gives us a seven-minute window if their pattern holds."
I shift closer to Vanessa, drawn to her intelligence and energy like a moth to flame. The respect I have for her isn't just professional anymore, and that understanding melts through my hard-built defenses.
"Good catch. All of you." The words come out gruffer than intended.
Vanessa's eyes lock with mine for a heartbeat, something unspoken passing between us. Her entire world narrows into a single thread of intensity, making her movements quick but calculated.
The usual scattered energy transforms into something laser-focused, each motion deliberate as her fingers dance across the keyboard. I've never seen anyone work systems like she does, breaking them down, finding patterns others miss.
Jax suddenly straightens in his seat, his body tensing. "Hold up. Vehicle approaching the private entrance."
I lean forward, muscles tensing as the sleek vehicle appears around the corner. My senses sharpen, body coiling with predatory focus.
"Black Bentley, diplomatic plates, tinted windows. Definitely not your average modeling client," Jax announces, his fingers already tapping coordinates into his navigation system. His eyes dart between the vehicle and potential escape routes.
Cole magnifies the thermal imaging display. "Single occupant besides driver."
I reach for my binoculars and twist the knobs until the image clears. Through the lens, a man emerges from the vehicle, elegant yet dangerous looking. His face partially obscured by what appears to be a designer mask. Something cold settles in my gut.
"Target acquired. Male, approximately six foot, tailored suit, moves like had military training." My voice stays level despite the adrenaline coursing through me.
Cole's gaze narrows as he studies the figure's movement pattern. "His positioning suggests awareness of surveillance vectors."
Beside me, Vanessa's body radiates heat as she leans closer to her screen. Her typing intensifies, the clicking almost musical in its rhythm.
"I'm trying to access the exterior camera feed, but this fucker is..." She pauses, frustration evident in the sharp exhale through her teeth. "Look at this. He moves where the cameras can't see him."
Her coconut scent fills my nostrils, making it harder to concentrate. I shift slightly, creating space while keeping my eyes locked on the target.
"Running partial facial recognition... nothing. He knows exactly where the cameras are." The thrill in her tone mirrors the tingle of awareness crawling up my back. This is no ordinary visitor.
Jax whistles low, a sound of professional appreciation. "Whoever he is, he's a professional."
His fingers stop drumming, body completely still, the surest sign he's fully engaged.
I catch Cole's eye, the silent communication between us perfected over years of operations. He gives a single nod. "Worth pursuing."
My mind calculates variables, weighing risk against potential intelligence. The decision crystallizes in an instant.
