Page 39 of Shadowed Sins: Nitro

They know about last night.

"She was in danger—"

"She IS danger," Cole corrects. "Whoever's hunting her found you both."

"The gambling's getting worse," Remy adds. "Your betting apps show increased activity. European soccer. Baseball. Anything with odds."

"The Bratva noticed," Asher says. "There's been chatter."

That gets my attention. "Bratva? Why would—"

"Your new friend has connections." Cole's jaw tightens. "Dangerous ones."

The door opens. Our server appears with water and bread. I drain half the glass before realizing my hand's shaking so badly that drops splatter across my shirt. The server's eyes widen slightly at my state—flushed, sweating, obviously hard.

"We'll need a few more minutes," Cole tells him.

The door closes. The silence stretches.

"It's been five days," Asher points out. "You've known her five days."

"Five days, seven hours, thirty-two minutes." It escapes before I can stop it. "Since she walked into that bar and I realized I'd been dead my whole life."

Remy actually stops mid-step. "Fuck."

"You think you're in love with her," Cole states flatly.

"Love?" I laugh, but it comes out broken. "Love's too small a word. She's under my skin. In my blood. I can taste her when I breathe. I can feel her when she's not even there. It's like—" My hands shake as I try to find words. "Like she reached inside and rewired me. Like I was broken and she's the only thing that makes me work now."

"That's addiction," Remy says quietly. "Not love."

"What's the difference?" The question comes out desperate. "Either way, I need her."

"You don't even know her real name," Asher points out.

"I know what matters. How she moves. How she thinks. How she looks at me like she's deciding whether to fuck me or kill me."

"She's dangerous," Cole states.

"So am I." My keys start spinning again, faster now. "That's what makes it perfect."

"This has to stop." Cole's using his team leader voice. "Whatever this is, it ends now."

"No."

The word hangs between us like a loaded gun.

"That wasn't a request." Cole's eyes narrow.

"And my answer isn't negotiable." I meet his eyes. "You want me to choose? Fine. But you won't like my answer."

"Choose," Cole says simply. "Her or the team."

My phone buzzes. I don't have to look to know it's her. I can feel it, like the charge in the air before lightning strikes.

Unknown number:Your guard dogs are barking loud enough to hear from the lobby. Should I come up? -M

She's here. She's in the fucking building.