Page 120 of Hunt Me
Erik’s expression doesn’t change. “They might try regardless. Sentinel doesn’t negotiate. They eliminate threats.”
“Then they’ll learn what happens when you threaten the Ivanov family.” Alexi’s arms tighten fractionally around me.
I push to standing, Alexi’s hands sliding reluctantly from my waist. The loss of contact feels wrong, but I need space to think clearly.
The tactical board dominates the far wall—a digital display showing network topologies, communication nodes, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. I approach it, pulling up Sentinel’s known command structure.
“They’re operating on the assumption we’ll defend.” My fingers fly across the interface, highlighting key communication hubs. “But defense isn’t our only option.”
Behind me, I feel Alexi’s attention like heat against my skin. Not looking. Can’t afford the distraction.
“We infiltrate their command network,” I continue, mapping out signal pathways. “Plant false intelligence about our location, our capabilities, our next moves.”
Dmitri shifts forward. “False intelligence, how?”
“Spoofed communications mimicking their encryption protocols.” I pull up samples of Sentinel’s message architecture. “We seed contradictory orders—Alpha team gets coordinates sending them forty miles north. Beta team receives intel that we’ve evacuated the compound. Charlie team interceptscommunications suggesting a federal raid on their Virginia headquarters.”
The plan crystallizes as I speak, neural pathways firing faster than conscious thought. This is what I do best: recognizing the invisible architecture of digital warfare, finding the pressure points where minimal force creates maximum chaos.
“They’ll spend seventy-two hours chasing ghosts while we strengthen our actual position.” I highlight three insertion points in their network. “By the time they realize the deception, we’ll have Kendall’s agreement and leverage over half their command structure.”
My fingers trace signal paths across the display. “The beauty is they’ll assume internal compromise. Sentinel will turn on itself, questioning which operatives are compromised, which orders are legitimate.”
I turn from the board to gauge reactions.
Alexi’s eyes lock onto mine immediately. The intensity there steals my breath—not just desire, though that burns hot enough. Pride. Possession. Something deeper that makes my chest constrict.
The room dissolves. Just him and me and the electric current arcing between us.
His lips quirk slightly. That half-smile that means he’s picturing exactly what he wants to do to me later. Heat floods my face, spreading downward.
Nikolai clears his throat sharply.
Reality snaps back and I notice Dmitri’s raised eyebrow.
“Right.” Nikolai’s voice cuts through the charged atmosphere. “We have less than twelve hours before the first file drop. Dmitri, coordinate with our media contacts. Erik, I need updated threat assessments every two hours.”
Dmitri rises, gathering his tablet. “The Times or Post for initial release?”
“Both. Simultaneously.” Nikolai moves toward the door. “Maximum impact, minimum reaction time for damage control.”
Erik follows, already pulling his phone. His murmured Russian filters back—tactical updates to perimeter teams.
The door clicks shut behind them.
Silence descends like a physical weight.
I keep my focus on the tactical display, mapping insertion points with fingers that suddenly feel unsteady. The code architecture needs refinement before deployment. Three vulnerabilities in the spoofing algorithm require patches.
Footsteps approach from behind. Measured. Deliberate.
My pulse kicks higher. I don’t turn around.
“Keep working,detka.” Alexi’s voice comes from directly behind me now. Close enough that his breath disturbs my hair. “Show me how you’ll dismantle their entire command structure.”
His hand settles on my hip. The touch burns through denim.
I pull up the encryption protocols, trying to ignore the flood of awareness. “The primary insertion vector targets their satellite relay system. Once we’re inside?—”
