Page 124 of Shadowed Sins: Nitro

"You comfortable with that description?" His question carries weight beyond the simple words.

I stare at our joined hands. At Remy's knowing expression. At the team moving around us like this moment has significance they're pretending not to notice.

He watched me kill eight men and called it beautiful. Claimed me in front of everyone who matters.

"I should terrify you," I repeat, testing the words against his unwavering gaze.

"Terror and attraction aren't mutually exclusive." His thumb traces the sensitive skin between my fingers. "Especially when the terror comes from knowing you'd burn down the whole world to protect me."

I would. The realization hits with crystal clarity.

"Mission debrief in ten," Cole announces, moving through the kitchen toward the main briefing area. "Intelligence needs immediate analysis."

The team disperses toward their stations, but Jax doesn't release my hand. If anything, his grip tightens as Remy finishes the bandaging.

"There." Remy packs up his supplies efficiently. "Keep the arm immobilized for forty-eight hours minimum. No heavy lifting, no sudden movements."

"Define heavy lifting," Jax asks, his grin turning slightly wicked.

"Nothing that involves your girlfriend's unique skill set." Remy's dry response makes heat flood my face.

Girlfriend. The word settles into place with surprising comfort.

I help Jax to his feet, hyperaware of every point of contact between us. His skin burns against mine, and when he stumbles slightly from the medication, catching himself against my shoulder, the brief press of his body makes my breath catch.

The main briefing room hums with post-mission activity. Cole coordinates extraction routes while Asher monitors perimeter scans. Damian emerges from the weapons cache, checking inventory. Xander adjusts equipment settings between tactical displays.

Normal operational protocol. Nothing about tonight feels normal.

The displays pulse with intelligence from our warehouse raid. Financial flowcharts, shipping routes, transport schedules. Data that makes my stomach churn with recognition while exciting my analytical mind.

"Network spans twelve countries." I move toward the main display, seeking familiar analysis comfort. Jax follows, positioning close enough that his arm brushes mine when I point to connections mapped across continents. "These shipping manifests match operational patterns I tracked through Alexei's European network three years ago."

The casual contact sends electricity through me, but I force myself to focus.

Cole studies the financial structures, processing implications while adjusting display angles. "Your insight is connecting dots we've been missing for months. These aren't random criminal enterprises—they're coordinated cells."

My chest tightens with unexpected pride. Professional validation from someone whose judgment I've learned to value.

They're listening. Actually listening to my assessment instead of just using my access.

Kade's voice comes through the secure video link from San Francisco, his command presence filling the room despite the distance. "Your tactical assessment just connected three separate ongoing investigations. We want you as permanent tactical consultant. This partnership extends beyond your personal mission."

Partnership. They actually mean it.

"The transport routes follow racing circuits precisely." I trace the shipping lanes on the display, aware of Jax tracking my movement with drug-softened attention. "Gideon wasn't just providing cover—he was providing comprehensive logistics. Every major race weekend, containers move through these specific ports."

Remy moves from his medical station to examine the data over my shoulder, whistling low. "Seasonal trafficking synchronized with legitimate sporting events. Brilliant operational cover."

"And completely fucked up," Xander adds, his voice rumbling with controlled violence as he checks weapon diagnostics.

Asher's sharp eyes track connections between data points from his monitoring position. His rare contribution carries weight when it comes. "These financial transfers are funding more than trafficking operations. Weapons procurement, narcotics distribution, information brokering."

"Alexei built a criminal empire," I say, the words bitter on my tongue while I pull up additional files. "Gideon was just one operational node. There are others like him providing similar services in every major city."

Cole steps closer, including me fully in the strategic discussion rather than treating me as just another asset. "Your analytical capabilities complement our operational expertise. We've been fighting symptoms while you understand the disease."

From the video link, Kade's approval carries command authority. "We want you as permanent tactical consultant. This partnership extends beyond your personal mission parameters."