Page 104 of Shadowed Sins: Nitro

Her pupils dilate slightly. "Your brain craves complex problem-solving when gambling urges hit. Channel that energy into infiltration planning. I'll provide external stability while you coordinate intelligence gathering."

The offer hangs between us, more intimate than the touch. She's offering to be my anchor.

But the way she's looking at me—lips parted, the flutter visible in her throat—suggests it's more than professional necessity.

"You'd do that? Keep me grounded during the operation?" My voice comes out rough. "Even after yesterday, after I said I'd tear down your walls and you walked away?"

Something flickers across her features. Recognition that we're talking about more than mission support.

"Roman's rescue requires your coordination skills functioning at full capacity." Her hand moves from my shoulderto cup my jaw, thumb brushing my cheekbone. The touch is too tender for tactical necessity. "Personal motivation aligns with operational necessity."

Translation: she cares enough to help, but needs the tactical excuse.

I understand because I do the same thing.

"Thank you." The words don't feel adequate. "For seeing me spiraling and not walking away."

"I walked away yesterday," she says quietly, regret clear in her voice. "I won't make that mistake again. Not when Roman needs both of us functional."

Both of us functional.Like she needs this as much as I do.

The phone stays silent on the table, forgotten for the first time since entering the briefing room.

Twenty minutes later, I walk back into the conference room with steady hands. Mira's still beside me, her presence changing everything.

"Racing event infiltration parameters locked." I pull up the coordination timeline, brain clicking into familiar rhythm. "Three access points, synchronized timing, backup protocols for every variable we identified."

Cole nods approvingly. "Much more concentrated than earlier."

Because Mira gave me something to anchor to.

"Psychological triggers managed through external support structure." I meet his eyes directly. "Partnership coordination provides stability during complex operations."

Kade raises an eyebrow. "Partnership dynamics affecting operational capacity?"

"Enhanced coordination." As I speak, Mira's hand finds my lower back, hidden from view but the touch grounds me instantly. "She reads psychological patterns and redirects compulsive energy into mission planning."

Asher crosses his arms, but there's approval in his expression. "Whatever works. You've been useless for three days."

"Show us the infiltration sequence." Kade moves closer to display.

I activate the timeline, confidence building as Mira's thumb traces small circles against my back. The touch shouldn't be affecting me this much, but my cock is half-hard just from her proximity.

"Gideon's racing event creates multiple intelligence-gathering opportunities." My voice stays steady despite the heat spreading through me. "Primary infiltration through competitor staging provides access to restricted zones."

The data makes perfect sense now. Not overwhelming variables but puzzle pieces.

"Backup extraction routes account for increased security presence, crowd control variables, weather contingencies." I pull up contingency plans. "Every scenario has response protocol."

Cole studies the coordination matrix. "This level of detailed planning is comprehensive."

Because Mira helped channel anxiety into productive analysis.

"External support structure allowed maximum analytical efficiency." I catch Mira's slight smile at the clinical phrasing.

Vanessa looks between us, understanding dawning. "The partnership dynamics are clearly beneficial. To the mission," she adds with a knowing look.

Remy leans against the doorframe. "Long as it keeps him functional."