Page 6

Chapter 5

Seanna

The organization’s headquarters aren’t far from the DEA offices, but stepping inside feels like entering an entirely different universe—one governed by secrecy, shadows, and blunt, unapologetic purpose. Nestled discreetly within an industrial park, hidden behind layers of security and strategic obscurity, the nondescript building fades seamlessly into the background. Exactly how my family prefers it. No bullshit, no fanfare, just ruthless efficiency.

I park swiftly and stride inside, exchanging only the barest nods with guards who know better than to question or delay me. The hallways here hum quietly, sterile and cool, the air punctuated only by the steady drone of ventilation and the faint buzz of hidden machinery. This isn’t some flashy government office; it’s a nerve center for vigilantes who gave up waiting on a broken justice system years ago.

My parents founded this place right around the time I was born, fed up with the corruption and incompetence poisoning every branch of law enforcement. They built it for one reason alone—to hunt down predators that the system fails to touch. The ones hiding behind badges, wealth, or political connections. Over the years, the organization has grown into an intricate web, recruiting operatives at all levels. Some joined already embedded in well-placed positions, jaded and ready to fight from within. Others—like me and my sister—were brought in young, trained carefully, then strategically placed where we’d do the most damage.

I head straight to the back, toward Uncle Max’s personal sanctum. One of the largest rooms in the building, it’s been transformed into a digital war room—a fucking fortress of screens, wires, and data streaming ceaselessly from every corner of the globe.

Max’s domain is unique to him. Opening the door, I’m bathed in the neon glow of monitors stacked in precise tiers from floor to ceiling. Every screen displays a different torrent of information—video feeds, satellite imagery, databases, encrypted communications scrolling endlessly. More computing power sits crammed in here than NASA would probably use for a damn Mars mission, powered meticulously by generators, solar panels, and backup batteries carefully arranged so no one outside suspects a thing. Data servers take up an entire wall, lights blinking all over the place.

“Good evening, Seanna,” Max greets without turning, his gravelly voice laced with dry amusement. He makes a quick adjustment on one keyboard before swiveling in his chair, meeting my gaze over thin-rimmed glasses. “Took your sweet ass time.”

I smirk, folding my arms as I lean casually against the doorframe. “Hello to you too, Uncle Max. Still obsessively stalking my whereabouts?”

“Unnecessary,” he shoots back, dry as dust, spinning briefly to type something into a terminal. “Your Dad let me know you'd be coming tonight.”

“How considerate of him,” I deadpan, stepping further into the room and scanning the screens. My gaze locks onto familiar faces flashing on the largest monitor—Reyes’s known associates, surveillance stills, financial flows, everything my DEA unit has scraped together and then some.

“You’ve been busy,” I comment quietly, eyes narrowing. “Find anything worth my time?”

Max raises an eyebrow. “Define 'worth your time.'”

“Something that helps me get my hands around Reyes’s throat,” I answer bluntly, moving closer. “We’re stuck chasing Diego’s breadcrumbs. I need a breakthrough.”

Max nods thoughtfully, tapping a finger on the desk before pulling up a fresh wave of images. “I’ve been probing Reyes’s operations for vulnerabilities. Your informant, Diego—he gave you Sebastián Cruz, Valeria Mendoza, and Rafael Navarro?”

“Yeah,” I confirm, watching closely as profiles fill the screen. “Mid-tier, careful assholes keeping their hands mostly clean. Right now, it feels like spinning wheels.”

“That’s intentional,” Max mutters, contemplative. “Reyes built layers of disposable assets between himself and exposure. But you’re right—family might be his weak point.”

My pulse quickens slightly, interest sparking. “You have something solid?”

“Possibly,” he says slowly, adjusting his glasses. “Still verifying, but some names keep resurfacing. He’s wiped nearly every digital trace, but not perfectly.”

“Names?” I prompt impatiently, taking another step closer.

“His wife’s name might be Elena,” Max reveals, tone cautious. “Still verifying that. His children are even tougher to pin down—but I have one name that keeps popping up. Kingston, I believe it’s his eldest son.”

I test the name silently, tasting the weight of it. Kingston Reyes. A new player on this deadly chessboard, someone Javier would have been carefully grooming from birth. My mind churns with possibilities, threats, and strategic moves.

“What else do we have on Kingston?”

“Not much,” Max admits, obvious frustration crossing his features. “His digital footprint is virtually nonexistent. Encrypted conversations suggest he’s intimately involved in operations, yet careful enough to remain completely invisible.”

A slow, predatory smile curves my lips. “Age?”

“Late twenties, maybe early thirties,” Max estimates. “Hard to confirm exactly. Tread carefully—if he's half as dangerous as Javier, he’s lethal.”

“Good,” I murmur unapologetically. “Dangerous beats boring every damn time.”

Max shakes his head slightly, but amusement tugs at the corners of his mouth. “You inherited your parents’ twisted definition of fun.”

“It runs in the family,” I fire back smoothly. “Keep digging. I want every detail you can rip out about Kingston. If he’s Javier’s heir, he's exactly the opening we need.”

Max turns immediately back to his screens, fingers flying with renewed intensity. “Already on it. I’ll update you the second I have more.”

“Thanks, Uncle Max.” I hesitate briefly, remembering Mom’s earlier conversation. “Do you know anything about Hydessa’s upcoming mission? Mom mentioned it.”

Max pauses briefly, glancing up. “I do. She’s heading undercover tomorrow. Not my place to spill specifics—you know the rules—but it’ll be good for her. She needs this.”

I nod slowly, satisfied. “Just wanted to confirm someone’s watching her back.”

“Always,” Max assures me quietly. “She'll be fine.”

With a final nod, I accept the gentle dismissal. “I'll see you soon, Max.”

“Stay safe, Seanna.”

I step back into the hall, closing Max’s door behind me with a quiet click. The muted echo of my boots on polished concrete keeps me company as I head toward the exit, but my pace slows when I notice unexpected noise spilling from the training room. Usually, operatives stagger their schedules to keep suspicion at bay, yet tonight the mats buzz with restless energy.

Pausing in the doorway, I lean casually against the frame, crossing my arms and absorbing the scene. In the center, Bodhi and Thorn are locked in fierce, unyielding combat—two alpha males equally as broad, powerful, and brimming with ego, neither willing to surrender an inch. Fresh-faced recruits surround them, wide-eyed, laughing, and heckling the spectacle unfolding in front of them.

Bodhi moves with dangerous grace, ducking smoothly beneath Thorn’s heavy strike. Thorn mirrors him, solid muscles rippling beneath a thin sheen of sweat, matching Bodhi’s cocky grin with a calculating smirk. The raw, competitive energy between them fills the room, barely restrained beneath their playful facade.

Bodhi’s eyes flicker toward me, his grin wolfish and teasing. “Look sharp,” he calls out suddenly, his eyes sliding toward me. “Boss’s kid is watching. Can’t let Seanna report back that we’re slacking.”

Oh, perfect—someone to take my frustration out on.

Thorn straightens slightly, offering an equally cocky grin. “She’s just jealous she missed all the fun.”

I roll my eyes dramatically, stepping forward from the doorway. “You two enjoying your little show for your fan club?”

“Always,” Bodhi drawls lazily, eyes glittering with amusement and challenge. “Think you could handle a round, princess?”

Thorn chuckles darkly, arms folded confidently across his chest. “Careful, Bodhi. She bites.”

“Only if you beg nicely,” I reply, arching an eyebrow, lips curving into a slow, wicked smile.

The recruits erupt in amused cheers and whistles, encouraging the challenge. Thorn gestures arrogantly toward the mats. “Prove it, sweetheart. Unless you’re worried about ruining up your pretty little outfit.”

“Cute,” I retort smoothly, slipping my leather jacket off my shoulders and tossing it aside without hesitation. “The only thing I’m concerned about ruining here is your fragile male egos.”

Laughter roars through the room as I step onto the mats, rolling my shoulders slowly, adrenaline already pumping like liquid fire. They both regard me with matching cocky grins, clearly confident that I’m no real threat. Let them underestimate me—it’ll make victory all the sweeter.

Bodhi steps forward first, theatrically cracking his knuckles, eyes gleaming mischievously. “Alright, princess, let’s see if you’re more than just talk.”

“Funny,” I reply sweetly, adopting a fighter’s stance. “I was about to say the same to you.”

The recruits laugh louder as Bodhi feigns hurt. “Ouch. And here I thought we were friends.”

“We are,” I smirk playfully, eyes glittering with challenge. “I just like reminding you of your place.”

Thorn chuckles. “Better watch yourself, Bodhi. You might lose your dignity here.”

Bodhi lunges swiftly, aiming to catch my wrist. “Predictable,” I tease, sidestepping effortlessly and driving an elbow sharply into his ribs. “Maybe try something original?”

He pivots quickly, retaliating with a low kick I barely dodge. “Better,” I admit sarcastically, circling him, eyes locked in challenge.

He charges again, feinting high and attempting a quick sweep to my legs, but I leap back gracefully. I immediately return fire, striking swiftly with rapid jabs. He blocks expertly, grinning widely as he lands a glancing strike to my shoulder.

“Not bad,” he concedes, eyes gleaming. “I almost felt that.”

I smirk back, breath quickening slightly. “Then let me make sure it sticks this time.”

He lunges again, gripping my forearm firmly. “Gotcha,” he taunts.

“Think again,” I retort sharply, twisting free and spinning behind him to land a solid strike between his shoulders. Bodhi stumbles forward, quickly recovering and closing the gap, his powerful arms encircling my waist. I drive my knee upward sharply into his thigh, forcing him to loosen his grip.

“Careful, Bodhi,” I purr mockingly, “you’re starting to sweat.”

He growls playfully, tightening his hold again, nearly pinning me. I twist sharply, throwing us both off balance. We crash onto the mats, wrestling furiously, each maneuver calculated, intense. I finally gain leverage, pinning him down firmly.

“Yield,” I pant victoriously, eyes shining with triumph.

Bodhi laughs beneath me, surrendering graciously. “Fine, princess. You win this one.”

I stand gracefully, offering him a hand. “Better luck next time.”

“Next time,” he agrees with a smirk, accepting my help to pull him up.

Turning smoothly to Thorn, I flash a challenging smile. “Ready for round two?”

“Bring it,” Thorn responds confidently, ignoring Bodhi’s amused groan.

Thorn charges without hesitation, his power and precision impressive. “Eager, aren’t we?” I taunt, ducking swiftly beneath his strikes, retaliating with quick, focused blows. He blocks smoothly, retaliating immediately, the exchange fierce and rapid. He grips my wrist, pulling me close, his arrogant smile hovering inches from my face.

“Had enough yet?” he breathes smugly.

“Oh, honey,” I shoot back breathlessly, eyes flashing tauntingly, “I was just getting warmed up.”

He chuckles darkly, suddenly sweeping my legs from beneath me. We crash onto the mats, grappling fiercely. These are the moments I love, I wasn’t made for a desk job, my body always craves the action. I drive my knee into his ribs sharply, eliciting a satisfied growl from him before he flips me expertly onto my back. “You’re getting predictable,” he murmurs.

“Careful what you wish for,” I warn, twisting sharply to escape, delivering a swift kick that knocks him off-balance. He recovers instantly, tackling me forcefully, finally pinning me beneath him with an infuriatingly smug expression.

“How about now?” he asks softly, eyes bright with triumph.

I glare defiantly, dramatically sighing in defeat. “Fine, you win—this round.”

Thorn helps me gently to my feet, admiration clear in his gaze. “You fight damn well.”

“I know,” I reply confidently, raising my chin. “Don’t underestimate me again.”

“Never do, but the reminder is always damn fun,” he murmurs respectfully.

Bodhi claps loudly, commanding attention. “Alright, kids, show's over. Let’s wrap it up before Seanna bruises more than our egos.”

The recruits laugh and disperse back to their training. Bodhi tosses me my jacket effortlessly, eyes glinting with humor. “Impressive moves, princess. Consider me humbled.”

“Glad to meet your impossibly high standards,” I reply dryly, slipping into my jacket.

Thorn nods quietly from the sideline, appreciative and amused. “Next time we’ll see if that was beginner’s luck.”

“Anytime,” I promise, mock-saluting them both. “See you around, boys.”

Their laughter echoes behind me, leaving a rare warmth in my chest.

That was what I needed, the fight, to remember how good it feels to let the adrenaline take over for just a few minutes. To let it clear my head and fill me with fresh determination.