Page 25 of Shadowed Sins: Nitro

I slip through, and his hand extends to help me up. I don't need it. Take it anyway. His fingers close around mine, rough and warm and steadying.

Let go. Let go before you do something stupid.

We stand there, hands clasped, both breathing hard.

"So," he says, fingers drumming against my palm. "See you tomorrow?"

"This was a one-time—"

"Bullshit." His thumb traces my wrist, finding my racing pulse. "You need intel on Lynch. I need someone who moves like you do. We both want—" He stops, jaw clenching.

"What? What do we both want?"

His eyes drop to my mouth. "Things that'll get us killed."

Yes. God, yes.

Truth burns between us, undeniable.

I pull my hand free. "There's another event tomorrow. Private gathering."

"The warehouse on Pier 47." He grins at my surprise. "Told you. Watching the same targets."

He's been tracking them as long as I have. Who the fuck is he?

"Fine. Tomorrow. But—"

"Business. I know." He backs away, still watching me. "Though, for the record? That thing you did in the air? That was fucking beautiful."

Heat floods my cheeks.

When's the last time I blushed? When's the last time anyone made me—

"Go."

"Going. Definitely going. Just... yeah, going." He turns, walks backward, nearly trips over a parking barrier. "Shit. Smooth, Jax. Real smooth."

I watch him disappear into shadows, spinning his keys in increasingly complex patterns. The nervous energy radiates off him even from distance.

I want to chase him down. Pin him against a wall. Make him shut up with my mouth.

????. This is going to be a problem.

I head for my bike, forcing my breathing steady. Mission successful. Intelligence gathered. Evidence documented.

No, he's going to be useful. That's all. Just another tool.

So why do my hands shake?

Because you want him. Because for the first time in thirteen years, you want someone to survive.

My phone buzzes as I reach the Ducati.

Unknown Number:You're playing dangerous games with dangerous people, little swan. Did you think I wouldn't notice? - A

My eyes scan the empty lot, searching shadows.Is Jax working for him? Was tonight a test? A trap?

No. The surprise on Jax's face was real. The synchronization between us, unplanned. The way his control shattered when we were pressed together—that can't be faked.