Page 26 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost (Nightfall Syndicate #2)

The mysterious figure disappears inside, the door closing behind him. The energy in our vehicle shifts, an almost tangible current between us as we recognize the significance of what we're witnessing.

I stare at the entrance where our unknown visitor vanished, already running through possible strategies in my head. Vanessa's typing reaches a crescendo beside me, her body nearly vibrating with excitement.

"Holy shit. Holy. Shit." Her words come out in a rushed whisper. "I finally got through their last firewall. I'm in their personnel database."

The energy in her voice pulls my attention from the building. Her eyes are wide, pupils dilated with the thrill of discovery.

"Tatiana Ivanov. Russian national, former model, immigrated fifteen years ago." Her fingers fly across the keyboard, screens flipping rapidly. "And look, monthly payments from Paradise Elite coded as 'talent acquisition'."

Cole immediately leans back, his posture still perfect as he pulls up financial records on his tablet. His expression doesn't change, but his eyes narrow slightly, his tell when he's found something significant.

"Financial patterns match known trafficking operations in Eastern Europe." His voice is measured and calm despite the breakthrough. This could be our first solid lead on who else might have been working with Markus Steele.

My heart rate kicks up a notch. Pieces falling into place. Patterns emerging. I've spent enough time studying criminal operations to recognize standard human trafficking financial shells. The rush of a solid lead courses through me.

Jax suddenly straightens in the driver's seat, his normal restless energy condensing into focused alertness.

"Company at three o'clock. Looking pretty interested in this vehicle."

My head snaps up. Security guard approaching, hand resting near his hip. Not a threat level that requires lethal force, but a complication we don't need.

Cole smoothly activates the vehicle's cover credentials on the displays while I shift my position, moving between the window and Vanessa without conscious thought. My body blocks her from view, shielding her screens.

"Just procedure," I murmur when she gives me a questioning look. But it's not. The urge to protect her goes beyond operational necessity, beyond the mission parameters.

Jax rolls down his window, his posture instantly relaxing into casual friendliness.

"Hey man, electrical contractors. Building management called us about surveillance system upgrades." His easy charm betrays none of the deadly skills I know he possesses.

I track the guard's movements, calculating how quickly I could neutralize him if needed. My hand drifts toward my weapon, muscles coiled and ready.

Vanessa's thigh presses against mine as she leans forward. The contact sends heat radiating up my leg, momentarily distracting me from tactical assessment.

The guard scrutinizes our falsified credentials while Jax maintains effortless small talk about the weather and local sports. Cole monitors every micro-expression on the guard's face, ready to signal if he detects suspicion.

When the guard finally nods and walks away, the tension breaks. Jax's grin is wolf-like in the rearview mirror.

"Time to disappear before he thinks twice."

Cole gives a single nod. "We've gained enough intelligence for this operation."

Jax pulls the vehicle to a smooth stop outside my house. Rain continues to fall, the sharp tapping on the roof surprisingly soothing after the day's tension.

"Nice work today, Echo." Jax gives Vanessa a genuine smile.

My eyes catch his in the rearview. There's respect there, not just for me, but for her. Something shifts in my chest.

Cole turns slightly in his seat, posture perfect even after hours of surveillance. "Your technical approach was exemplary. Most efficient first field operation I've witnessed."

From Cole, those words count as glowing approval. Vanessa's cheeks flush, and my heart hammers faster against my ribs.

I unlock the door and help Vanessa out of the vehicle. Rain dampens her hair, making it cling to her neck. I resist the urge to brush it away.

As we step toward the house, Jax calls out through the lowered window. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, which leaves pretty much everything on the table!"

I pivot, fixing him with a glare that's frozen lesser men. Jax just laughs, the sound carrying as he pulls away.

"Is he always like that?" Vanessa asks, raindrops trailing down her cheek.

"Always."

The day's success buzzes beneath my skin, bringing every nerve ending to life. Her chest rises and falls with quick breaths, faster than usual. Her fingers tap against her thigh. Not the usual pattern, but something more restless.

The door closes behind us with a solid click. The sound awakens something raw inside me. No interruptions this time. No laptop alarms. No missions. Just us.

Before she can remove her jacket, I've backed her against the wall. Hard. The impact draws a sharp gasp from her lips as my hands frame her face.

"Good work today." My voice comes out rougher than intended.

Vanessa grips my tactical shirt, bunching the material. Her pupils dilate, leaving only a thin ring of brown.

"God, Asher, watching you work today was so fucking hot. The way you just... take control, how still and deadly you get, and I kept thinking about what it would be like if you looked at me like that, like you wanted to—"

I crush my mouth to hers, swallowing her rambling. One hand slides into her damp hair while the other pins her hip against the wall. No escape.

She melts into the kiss, soft and yielding, but her hands are still moving, still restless. Still thinking too much.

"Mine," I growl against her throat, biting down hard enough to leave a mark.

Her breath hitches, but she doesn't pull away. "Possessive much? Though I have to admit, the whole alpha thing you've got going is really working for me, especially the way you just take what you want without asking, and—"

"Too many words." I grip her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. "Strip. Now."

Her mouth opens, probably to launch into another analysis, but something in my expression stops her. Good.

"Here? What if someone—"

"Now."

The single word cuts through her protest. Her hands tremble as she removes her jacket, then her shirt. The blush spreads across her skin as I stare. Her nipples harden under my gaze.

"Everything."

She hesitates, that brilliant mind of hers still trying to process, to control. I step closer, backing her harder against the wall.

"Problem?"

"No, I just... this is different than I thought and I'm not sure—"

I silence her with two fingers pressed to her lips. "What did I say about too many words?"

Her eyes flutter closed at the contact.

There .

"Better." I remove my fingers, replacing them with my thumb, pressing into her lower lip. "Keep going."

She strips off her pants and underwear with more confidence now, that hyperactive energy settling into something else. Something focused entirely on me.

When she's naked, I step back. Pink-flushed skin, dark curls at the apex of her thighs, nipples tight with arousal. Perfect .

"Turn around. Hands on the wall."

She obeys immediately, pressing her palms flat against the surface. The position arches her back, displays her ass perfectly.

"Spread your legs."

She widens her stance, and I can see how wet she already is. The sight makes my cock throb against my pants.

"We need to establish rules." I step closer, my clothed body pressing against her naked back. "I don't do vanilla, little bunny. When I fuck someone, I own them completely."

She shivers at my words. "What does that mean?"

"It means you do what I tell you. When I tell you. How I tell you." My hand trails down her spine. "It means I decide when you come, how you come, if you come."

"And if I don't want—"

"Red stops everything. Yellow slows down. Green continues." I lean in close to her ear. "Understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

A pause. "Yes, sir?"

"Good girl." I reward her with a gentle bite to her shoulder. "We'll work on that."

I step back, leaving her pressed against the wall while I strip efficiently. When I turn back to her, she's peeking over her shoulder, eyes wide as she takes in my naked body.

"Did I tell you to look?"

She snaps her head forward. "No, sir."

"Better." I move behind her again, my cock pressing against her ass. "Color?"

"Green."

I grip her hips, positioning her how I want. "On your knees on the couch. Now."

She moves quickly, settling on the cushions on her hands and knees. I follow, positioning myself behind her.

"Head down. Ass up."

She lowers her chest to the cushion, the position making her completely vulnerable to me. I run my hands over her ass, squeezing, then deliver a sharp slap that echoes through the room.

She gasps. "Fuck!"

Another slap, harder this time. "Language."

"Sorry, I just—" Another slap cuts her off. This one hard enough to leave a handprint.

"You just what?" I soothe the sting with my palm.

"I like it," she whispers.

"Louder."

"I like it when you spank me."

I land three more blows in quick succession, each harder than the last. Her ass blooms pink under my hands, and I can see how wet she's getting.

"Count the next five."

The first slap lands hard across both cheeks. "One!"

Each subsequent blow gets progressively harder. By five, she's trembling, tears leaking from her eyes, but her voice never wavers.

"Good girl." I drag my fingers through her wetness, making her gasp. "So wet from being spanked. Such a dirty little slut."

She whimpers at the degrading words but pushes back against my touch.

I position my cock at her entrance, dragging the head through her folds. "Tell me what you want."

"I want you inside me."

"Not good enough." I press just the tip in and stop.

"Please fuck me."

"Better, but still not right." I pull out completely. "Tell me exactly what you want me to do to your pussy."

Her face flames red. "I... I can't say that."