Page 50 of Nails

Nobody said anything right away, the weight of her words settling over the group.She then continued.“What Secretary Boles was referring to was how the FBI almost got me killed on that op.Someone leaked my information through an unsecured channel.Whether it was sloppy work or something else, I still don’t know.Luckily, someone caught it and alerted HSI, allowing them to pull me out just in time.If they hadn’t, I don’t know if I’d be here.”

Aussie’s jaw tightened.“I was wondering why the FBI didn’t have a part in this.Is it because of that?”

Riley nodded and smiled.“Yep.Originally, the FBI had the case.Once they knew they needed someone to go inside the club, they contacted Russell.”She then glanced at Nails.“Remember that call I got when we were having lunch?”

Nails nodded.

“When I got to the office, an FBI agent was there.He wanted my help and swore up and down that another New York situation wouldn’t happen.As much as I wanted to believe him, I just couldn’t.So, I made a deal.I told them if they wanted my cooperation, that the FBI had to sit this one out and let HSI take over.”

The team listened intently, throwing in the occasional question like what the cover had been like, how she’d handled the pressure, but their faces told her more than their words.They weren’t just impressed.They respected her.And yeah, they were pissed at the FBI, too.

Bear finally broke the silence with a low whistle.“Damn.You’re tougher than you look, Blondie.”

She smirked.“Don’t let the hair fool you.”

Joker chuckled.“So, you basically bribed the FBI?”

“I wouldn’t say I bribed them.I mean, they had the option to say no.But if they said no, then they would’ve had to find another agent to do the job.”

“You’re savage,” Jay Bird told her.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” she teased.

The conversation drifted back to the game, but Riley caught a few lingering glances from the guys—curiosity, respect, maybe a little protectiveness.She wasn’t sure if she liked or hated that last part.She could definitely hold her own.But knowing she was about to walk into the pit of hell, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few highly trained special operatives watching her back.

By the time Riley and the team touched down in Hong Kong and made it through customs, it was pushing midnight.

As they piled into two SUVs and headed toward the city, Nails kept his eyes peeled, already switching his head from flight mode to mission mode.

The ride to the safehouse took them through winding streets and down into the industrial heart of the city.It might have been late, but the dock area was wide awake with trucks rolling through the streets and cranes loading and offloading containers from ships.

When they finally rolled into a gated lot, Nails climbed out and took in the building.On the outside, it was nothing more than a two-story brick warehouse tucked between a pair of shipping companies.

Inside was a whole different story.

Once they got past two secure keypad entrances.The place opened up into a massive loft-style space with exposed brick walls, high steel beams, and polished concrete floors.The main living area was set up with an entire wall of mounted TV screens—security feeds, maps, comms, and news channels already flickering to life.Couches and armchairs were scattered around in clusters, and there was a long dining table that looked like it had been built to withstand both meals and mission briefings.

Ten bedrooms lined the perimeter of the loft, each one with a solid door, a small desk, and a private bathroom.Industrial, sure, but modern—this place was clearly designed with operatives in mind.

Riley’s eyes widened as she stepped inside, taking in the sheer size of the space.“This is incredible.Whose place is this?”

“Tink’s company,” Nails said, dropping his duffel by the wall.

“Who’s Tink?”she asked, curiosity written all over her face.

“He’s a former teammate of Derek’s,” Nails told her.“He now owns one of the largest and most sought-after security companies.They’ve got multiple contracts with the government.This is one of his properties.It’s designed for people like us to work out of.”He hesitated, then added, “Tink’s also the one I gave your mom’s case file to.”

Her head snapped toward him, eyes searching his face.For a moment, she didn’t say anything, and he could see the bit of emotion she was trying to hold back.

“You did that for me?”

“Yeah.I told you I would.”He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.“If anyone can find answers, it’s him.”

She swallowed, her voice quiet.“Thank you, Nails.Really.”

He just nodded, but inside, he felt the weight of her gratitude settle in deep.

As the team started hauling their gear toward the rooms, Nails fell in step with her again.“Pick a room,” he told her, jerking his chin toward the hallway.