Page 54 of Shadowed Sins: Nitro

Sasha finishes his wine, movement deliberate and calm.

"Your team is impressive, but Alexei's been studying them for weeks. He knows their patterns, their weaknesses."

Heat flashes through me at the thought of Alexei watching Jax. Planning to hurt him.

That's where his game becomes mine.

"He's counting on you running. Disappearing again like you did at sixteen."

I stand slowly, smoothing my dress. I let my real smile show—the one that promises death.

"Then he's about to be very disappointed."

The earpiece carries Jax's sharp intake of breath. He caught something in my tone that promises violence.

Good. Let them both know what they're dealing with.

"The information's valuable, Sasha. Thanks for the warning."

"My employers will be interested in the outcome. Good hunting."

The kitchen exit opens into the alley. My heels catch on wet asphalt.When did it rain?Suddenly Jax is there, hand on my lower back, steadying me.

"Don't touch me," I gasp, but I'm already leaning into him.

"You're shaking."

"Adrenaline." Lie. It's withdrawal. From him.

His hand slides lower, fingertips grazing the spot where my dress dips low. "The intel—"

"Drive us somewhere. Anywhere. Just—" I can't finish. Can't admit I need his presence more than air.

Four days of avoiding each other after the parking garage. We lasted four days. Now I'm climbing into his Mercedes, knowing this is a mistake, knowing I'll do it anyway.

"Target acquired. Package secure."

Jax's voice cuts through the comm chatter. His eyes scan me from head to toe, searching for damage.

"Talk to me. What did Kozlov give you?"

We slide into the car, and I hand him the envelope. His fingers brush mine as he takes it, and that simple contact grounds me more than it should.

"Photos of Alexei in Los Angeles. Recent ones."

Jax flips through them, his expression darkening with each image. The city lights blur past the windows as we navigate through traffic.

"He's been watching me hunt for seven years. Every contract, every kill. It was all part of his plan."

"Damn."

His hand finds mine in the dark car, fingers interlacing. The warmth spreads up my arm.

"This mission just became exponentially more dangerous for everyone."

Especially for you.

"How dangerous?"