Page 29 of Shadowed Sins: Nitro

"You're not what I expected, Jax Ryder."

"What did you expect?"

"Someone smoother. More calculated." Her hand moves higher on my thigh, and I nearly jump out of my skin. "Less... genuine."

"Sorry to disappoint."

"I didn't say I was disappointed."

Her stare burns into me, making my clothes stick to sweat that wasn't there seconds ago. Those eyes dissect every word, every gesture, like she's choosing between torture and execution.

My phone buzzes. I ignore it.

It buzzes again. Then again. The emergency pattern.

"You should answer that," she says, but her hand's still on my thigh, fingers tracing circles that make thinking impossible.

Cole's name flashes on screen. Then Remy. Then Asher.

Then Kade.

Shit.

"Yeah?" I answer, not breaking eye contact with her.

"Safe house. Now." Kade's voice could freeze hell.

"I'm in the middle of—"

"Drop everything. Emergency briefing. This can't wait."

The line goes dead.

My keys stop spinning. "I have to go."

"Family emergency?" There's something knowing in her eyes.

"Something like that." I pull out my wallet, throw down enough cash to cover dinner twice over. "Can I—will you—"

"I'll be fine." She squeezes my thigh, then withdraws her hand. The loss of contact feels like losing a limb. "Go handle your emergency."

I stand, but can't make myself leave. Not yet.

"I'll call you."

"I know you will." She picks up her wine, takes a sip. "I'll be waiting."

The promise in those words follows me all the way to the parking lot.

The Rancho Palos Verdes safe house blazes with light despite the late hour. Every vehicle in our fleet crowds the circular drive.Whatever pulled everyone here, it's significant.

Cole opens the door before I knock. "About fucking time."

"I was in Beverly Hills. You know how that is—might as well have been on Mars."

He doesn't respond, just leads me through to the conference room. The massive screens show three feeds from San Francisco—Miguel in the medical lab, Vanessa at her computer, and Kade in Roman's old office with Alina perched on his lap like she's guarding him from the world.

Remy paces by the windows. Asher sits perfectly still, absorbed in data on his tablet.