Page 34 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost (Nightfall Syndicate #2)

twenty-two

Vanessa

I fidget in my chair inside the surveillance van, my fingers flying across multiple keyboards. We're parked between delivery trucks in a business lot next door to Vertex Models—close enough to watch, but not suspicious enough to draw attention.

Rain taps against the metal roof, creating a cozy cocoon despite the tension running through my body. Three screens glow in front of me while I adjust my earpiece connecting me to Cole at headquarters.

Asher sits beside me, his presence both calming and electrifying. He watches the modeling agency entrance through a special viewing port, his body completely still in a way mine never is.

"My system matches faces against DMV records." I point to faces being automatically highlighted on the screen. "It flags anyone on our watch list or who shows up repeatedly."

My knee bounces under the desk as I continue, words tumbling out. "I've set it up to predict movement patterns too, which should help us—"

"Movement at the east entrance." Cole's voice interrupts through our earpieces. "Two black SUVs approaching."

I instantly shift, fingers already adjusting camera angles. "Got it."

The center screen splits into four parts, showing different views of the east entrance. Two sleek black SUVs with dark windows pull up, and workers unload equipment.

"Let me zoom in." My fingers dance across the keyboard. "That looks like event equipment. Tables, stands, lighting stuff."

Asher moves closer, lifting special binoculars while I continue digital surveillance. His shoulder brushes mine in the tight space, sending a spark through my skin.

"That's the Winchester Charity Gala setup." I quickly pull up permit information. "Wait, isn't your team handling security for that?"

Asher's jaw tightens slightly. "Kade mentioned a request from Margaret Winchester's office."

"Well, that complicates things." I brush a strand of hair from my face, focusing on raindrops creating blurry halos around the people moving equipment.

"Change your settings," Asher instructs, his voice calm despite the problem. "Pay closer attention to employees entering and leaving."

I nod, making changes while monitoring multiple data streams simultaneously. The familiar rush of solving a complex problem floods my system.

"Asher, look at this feed." I suddenly point to the bottom right corner. "Those aren't just event workers. That woman in the gray coat just came from the modeling agency and is telling the setup crew what to do."

I zoom in on her, running facial recognition while tracking her movements. "She's visited both places three times in the past hour."

Asher moves closer, his thigh pressing firmly against mine in the tight space. His body radiates heat and that distinctive peppermint and sandalwood scent that momentarily derails my thoughts.

"She's coordinating something," his voice is low and close to my ear.

My throat tightens as I drag my attention back to the monitors. "Blade, are you seeing this?"

"I'm checking her background now," Cole responds.

The drumming of rain intensifies, sealing us in our private world. I'm acutely aware of Asher's closeness, his steady breathing, the way his body shifts with each tiny movement.

My fingers dance across the keyboards, pulling up building plans and layering them with event setup details from the permit office.

"You're amazing with technology," Asher murmurs close to my ear as I work with multiple systems simultaneously.

His breath against my neck sends a shudder through me that has nothing to do with the van's temperature. Heat rises to my cheeks.

"Just doing my job," I respond, voice slightly higher than normal.

Asher's hand moves to my knee, stopping its constant bounce with gentle pressure. The touch sends a hot current rushing through my body, freezing my hands in mid-air above the keys.

"Blade, we're going offline for ten minutes," Asher announces suddenly.

Before Cole can protest, Asher disconnects our comms link with a quick tap.

My heart rate doubles as I suddenly remember the small black box Asher gave me yesterday. My cheeks burned when I discovered the sleek, discreet vibrator inside.

The one he'd instructed me to wear today during our surveillance operation. The one currently pressed against my clit, waiting to be activated.

"What are you—" I begin, turning toward him.

"I've noticed how you respond when you work with tech," he cuts me off, his voice dropping to that commanding tone that instantly quiets the chaos in my head. "Your pupils get bigger. Your breathing changes. The equipment turns you on."

My cheeks burn at his directness. I shouldn't admit it, but the truth is obvious from how I lean toward screens, the rush I get from controlling complex systems.

When I don't deny it, his expression transforms into something hungry and deeply interested.

"Show me," he commands, pulling a small remote control from his pocket, sleek and black with subtle buttons.

My pussy throbs with heat as I suddenly understand. "Is that—"

"This connects to what I gave you," Asher confirms, twirling the small remote between his fingers. "I want to watch you work while I control your pleasure."

My breath catches. We're on surveillance, watching potential human traffickers. Anyone could call in. Cole might reconnect at any moment.

My fingers clutch the desk edge as pure need rushes through my body at the thought of Asher controlling me while I stay locked into my technical work. The urge burns hot and urgent, making me squeeze my thighs together against the growing wetness.

"Yes," I whisper, barely audible above the rain.

Asher's pupils dilate, the only sign of his satisfaction. "Continue monitoring. Find out what that woman in gray is coordinating."

I turn back to my screens, acutely aware of Asher beside me and the remote in his hand. The charity gala details expand across my monitors as my fingers move over the keyboard.

"The Winchester Foundation Annual Fundraiser," I read aloud, voice steadier than I feel. "Scheduled for tomorrow evening. They always begin setup a day early for security purposes."

A sudden vibration starts between my legs, directly against my clit. I yelp, grabbing the desk edge as liquid warmth rushes between my legs.

"Continue," Asher instructs, his voice deceptively casual.

I swallow hard and force my eyes back to the screen, my professional training battling the sensation building between my legs.

"For security purposes," I manage. My hands return to typing with forced concentration. "The setup today blocks certain angles of the street, which..."

Another pulse, stronger this time, makes me inhale sharply. "...which could provide cover for activities at the modeling agency."

Asher adjusts the remote settings without looking at it, his eyes fixed on my face. "Show me the camera angles that will be blocked."

My fingers tremble as I pull up a street map, marking security camera positions and their lines of sight. Red highlights appear where the charity event structures will block visibility.

"They're using the event as cover," I explain through carefully controlled breaths. The vibrations intensify against my clit, making my inner walls clench.

Yet somehow my brain clicks into high gear—everything on screen looks sharper, clearer, as if the pleasure connects directly to my pattern recognition.

Asher studies the screen. "Reconnect with Cole. Tell him what we've found."

My eyes widen in panic. "But you're—"

"Yes," he confirms, his expression leaving no room for argument. "And you'll stay calm."

With trembling fingers, I reconnect to headquarters, terrified Cole might hear the faint buzz or my ragged breathing.

"Blade, we've found a security issue," I begin, proud of how normal my voice sounds despite the relentless vibration against my clit. "The Winchester Gala setup will create big blind spots around Vertex Models."

I highlight key points on my screen, which Cole can see at headquarters. Asher increases the intensity with a subtle movement of his thumb across the remote. Wetness pools between my thighs as I dig my nails into my palm to stay composed.

"The woman in gray has been positioning structures that effectively block these three camera angles," I continue, voice only slightly strained.

"That can't be coincidence," Cole responds, seemingly unaware of my situation. "The timing matches what we think is a major movement operation."

Asher's finger moves again, changing the pattern to something more rhythmic, more insistent. I bite my lip hard enough to taste copper.

"I think..." I pause, pulling my jumbled thoughts together while my clit thrums against the vibrating toy. "I think Tatiana is using the Winchester charity event as a cover for moving personnel between locations."

"Good work. Keep watching and report any new movements. I'll tell Ghost."

The connection goes quiet as Cole focuses on his tasks. Asher's eyes never leave my face, measuring my reactions with calculated precision.

"You're handling this well," he murmurs, adjusting the remote again. The pulsations increase, making my inner walls clamp down desperately on nothing.

Through sheer willpower, I maintain focus on the surveillance feeds, tracking movements between buildings, finding patterns in the event setup.

"Asher," I whisper, my voice strained as pressure builds in my lower belly. "I need—"

"Not yet," he interrupts, commanding but gentle. "Keep working. Show me how good you are with your technology while I use mine."

The sensations grow stronger with each button Asher presses. My thighs clench as wetness seeps through my underwear. I bite my lip to stay quiet, terrified someone might hear.

"Target approaching loading dock," I whisper, my voice breaking slightly as Asher increases the intensity.

Is the comm still on? Did I reconnect Cole's channel? What if Cole can hear the sounds my body is making? My thoughts scatter as hot waves of ecstasy radiate through my lower body.

"Focus, Echo." Asher's command is soft but firm. His fingertips brush my thigh as he presses the remote, turning the vibration to a pulsing rhythm that makes my breath catch.

I scan the camera feeds, clinging to my professional duties.

"Black sedan... approaching from..." I inhale sharply as vibrations intensify. "From the north entrance."

Heat continues pooling between my thighs as my hands tremble. The small van amplifies everything. Asher's closeness, his cologne, the sound of rain creating our private world.

"Get the license plate," he instructs, voice maddeningly calm while I'm dissolving beside him.

I capture the image and check the database, fingers trembling. My brain works overtime while my body burns with pleasure, each making the other stronger, like they're feeding off each other.

"Plate registered to..." I gasp. Asher pushes another button, shooting intense pleasure throughout my body. My legs shake as warmth spreads from between my thighs. "To a shell company linked to Vertex."

The vibrations change to a deeper, more intense pattern. My hips unconsciously rock forward, wanting more as the toy makes my clit throb and swell.

"Good work, little bunny." Asher's praise sends another flood of wetness between my legs.

"I need to..." My voice trails off as pleasure builds to an almost unbearable level.

"You need to what?" Asher watches with calculated precision, his control absolute.

I can't answer. My eyes stay fixed on the monitors while my body spirals toward release. The rain pounds harder, keeping rhythm with my hammering heart.

"Three people exiting the vehicle," I manage, desperately holding onto professionalism despite the intense throbbing sensation of my clit.

"Carrying..." My voice breaks. "Carrying small cases."

"And you're tracking them?" Asher asks, moving the vibrator to its highest setting.

I nod frantically, unable to form words. My fingers continue working independently from my pleasure-flooded brain.

"Excellent multitasking," he observes dispassionately, but I catch the heat darkening his eyes.

The pressure builds until I can't hold back. My thighs clamp together as the first wave crashes through me. I press my lips together tightly, holding back sounds while my body responds to the constant vibrations. The toy keeps working my clit, making it hard to stay quiet.

Asher's hand covers mine on the keyboard, steadying me as I shudder through my orgasm. The feeling is overwhelming. Pleasure mixed with vulnerability and the strange clarity that comes with complete surrender.

"Keep breathing," he reminds me, his thumb circling soothingly over my knuckles.

I gasp for air, suddenly aware I'd been holding my breath. My pussy keeps throbbing with small waves of pleasure while my underwear gets soaked through.

The vibrations finally stop. I collapse back, breathing in short, quiet pants. On the monitors, the targets continue moving between buildings, completely unaware of what just happened in our surveillance van.

"You were perfect," Asher murmurs, his thumb still tracing circles on my hand. "Better than perfect."

My mind feels strangely clear, focused in a way it rarely is. Without the typical disarray of competing thoughts, I spot something I might have missed.

"Asher, look," my voice hoarse but excited. I point to a sequence of vehicle arrivals. "The timing between vehicles... it's exactly eight minutes apart. That's not random."

His eyes narrow, shifting seamlessly back to operational mode while maintaining physical contact with me.

"Scheduled transports."

"Exactly." I pull up the timing data, displaying it clearly. "They transport something worth enough to need exact timing."

Asher presses the comm link. "Blade, we have a pattern. Scheduled arrivals, eight-minute intervals. This isn't just setup for the charity event."

As Cole acknowledges and begins coordinating with the team, Asher's hand slides to my thigh, squeezing possessively. His touch radiates heat through my damp skin.

"Your mind is extraordinary," he murmurs, only for me. "Even more so when it's focused."

I blush, but don't look away from the monitors. "We should definitely use this sexy control technique again. Helps my brain more than any pill ever did."

His slight smile promises exactly that as we return our attention to the surveillance operation. My mind is unusually quiet and clear, focused entirely on the mission... and on Asher's hand still resting on my thigh.