Page 11 of All The Darkest Truths (Second Sons Duet #2)

“Give me a cup of coffee and an hour, I can have a bird’s eye view of the entire block,” Alex offers, shoving from his seat and padding into the kitchen towards the coffee maker. “We won’t be going in blind.”

“Make the coffee strong,” I tell Alex, already running through potential scenarios in my head. “We've got three hours to scope the place and position ourselves. I don't like this change in location.”

“You think Ricky's compromised?” Talon asks, sliding another knife into a sheath.

“It’s not out of the realm of possibilities. His information game may have caught up with him, and he’s hiding out.”

"What about Vesper?" He glances toward the hallway.

“What about her?”

“Is she coming with us?” Talon clarifies. “If she stays behind, one of us will need to stay here with her. It might be the safer option.”

“She's not going to like being treated like a child who needs a babysitter either,” I point out, though the idea of leaving her behind in relative safety appeals to me.

Z's expression darkens. “I'm not letting her out of my sight.”

“That's not your decision to make,” Alex says quietly, the coffee maker gurgling behind him. His tone is mild, but there's steel beneath it.

I shoot Alex a warning look. The last thing we need is another alpha standoff before walking into this meeting.

“How about we ask her what she wants?” Talon suggests, ever the diplomat. “Novel concept, I know.”

“Ask me what?” Vesper's voice cuts through the tension as she appears in the doorway. She's changed into black jeans and a fitted dark blue top, practical and understated. Still utterly fucking breathtaking.

All of our attentions snap to her. I can't help but notice how she commands attention without even trying. A queen amongst wolves.

“Whether you're coming with us tonight,” I answer, watching her reaction carefully.

Her eyebrow arches slightly. “And why wouldn't I be going?”

“It’s not safe,” Z argues.

“Middle ground, remember?” she replies back to him.

“Fine,” he relents with a huff. “But you’re staying back with the rest of us.”

I share a glance with Talon, unsure what exactly "middle ground" means between those two, but I'm relieved Z isn't digging in his heels. Progress.

Alex appears at Vesper's side, offering her a steaming mug. “Black, two sugars.” Their fingers brush as she takes it, and something passes between them—a look I can't quite decipher.

“Thanks,” she says, accepting the cup with a grateful smile. Their fingers brush during the exchange, and I note how Alex watches her for a beat longer than necessary.

Interesting.

I clear my throat. “We need to talk about logistics. I think it's best if I arrive separately, but I want the rest of you in position by the time I get there.”

Alex shows his phone to Talon.

“There’s rooftop access at the building across the street. I can cover you from there," Talon states. “Do you have any drones we can use, Alex?”

"Do I have drones? What kind of question is that?” Alex's voice drips with mock offense as he takes a long sip of coffee. “I've got three in my room, including the new Phantom that can hover for four hours on a single charge.”

“Alex on surveillance, Talon on the roof. Z, I want you to hang back.”

“And me?” Vesper asks, her tone sharp as she looks at me over the rim of her mug, challenge written across her face.

“With Z,” I reply, holding up a hand before she can protest. “Not because I don’t think you can handle yourself, but because I need someone, I trust implicitly to keep watch on my brother. He won’t pull something reckless if you’re there.”

Z snorts but doesn’t argue. Vesper’s expression tightens, clearly sensing the deflection, but after a beat, she nods.

“Fine. But I’m not sitting in a car six blocks away.”

“Wouldn’t dream of asking you to,” I assure her, even though the idea had briefly crossed my mind. “You’ll be close enough to hear everything.”

Alex returns to his room and reappears minutes later with a sleek black case. He sets it on the table and flips it open, revealing a drone and an array of compact gear.

“This beauty has thermal imaging and can pick up conversations from fifty yards,” he says as he assembles the parts. “We’ll have full coverage on that building before you even get there.”

“Comms?” I ask Alex.

“Here.” Alex reaches for a small black case in the drone box and passes it to me. “Barely detectable unless someone is specifically looking for it. Just tap once to activate, twice to mute.”

I slip it into my ear, adjusting it until it feels secure.

“Alright, let's move out in thirty,” I announce, checking my watch. “We need to be in position well before ten.”

We disperse without further discussion, each of us focused on our assigned role. Talon begins packing up the weapons while Alex continues calibrating his drone. Z heads toward his room, presumably to gear up, though he casts a lingering look toward Vesper before he turns away.

I make my way to my bedroom to change. Dark jeans, a black t-shirt, and a jacket that will conceal my weapon without looking obvious. As I'm pulling the shirt over my head, I hear my door open and close.

Vesper stands just inside my door, her arms crossed over her chest. She's changed into a dark hoodie, her blonde hair tucked into a bun at the nape of her neck. Her expression is carefully controlled, but I can see the worry under her skin.

“You're staring,” I say, pulling my shirt down.

“And you're not telling me everything,” she counters, taking a step closer. “What aren't you saying about this meeting with Ricky?”

“It's just...unusual. Ricky's particular about his routines. Same bar, same booth, same drink order. This change of venue feels off.”

“You think it's a trap?”

“I think we need to be prepared for anything,” I answer, grabbing my jacket from the hook. “Which is why I need you with Z. He's still raw after Mario, and if things go sideways…”

“You need someone to keep him from going nuclear and to protect me,” she finishes, closing the distance between us. Her fingers brush against my arm, sending electricity through my skin. “I get it. But I don't like that you are walking in there alone.”

“I won't be alone. I'll have the whole team watching my back.” I cup her cheek, my thumb tracing the soft curve of her face. "Besides, Ricky's my informant. He trusts me.”

“And if he's been compromised?”

The question hangs between us, heavy with implications. I don't have a good answer, so I lean forward until my forehead rests against hers, breathing in her scent.

“Then I'll improvise.”

Vesper's hands come up to frame my face, her touch gentle yet insistent. “Oscar,” she says softly, using my full name instead of the nickname everyone else calls me by. “Promise me you'll be careful.”

I turn one to press a kiss to her palm. “Always am, solnishko.” She shakes her head, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw. “Just...come back to me, okay?”

“I promise.” I lean in to capture her lips with mine.

The kiss is gentle at first, a mere brushing of lips, but quickly deepens as Vesper's fingers thread through my hair, pulling me closer.

I back her against the door, one hand braced against the wood beside her head, the other cupping her waist. Her body melts into mine, familiar yet exhilarating, like coming home.

“Was that supposed to convince me you'll be careful?”

“No," I admit with a small smile. “That was just because I wanted to.”

She laughs softly, the sound warming something deep in my chest. “Good answer.”

A sharp knock on the door interrupts us. “Time to move out,” Z's voice calls through the wood, followed by retreating footsteps.

Vesper sighs, reluctantly stepping away from me. “Remember your promise, Oz.”

“Nothing will ever take me away from you, solnishko.”