Page 84 of Shadowed Sins: Nitro

"She's maintaining appropriate professional distance." The words don't taste bitter anymore. They taste like opportunity.

"And you're dealing with that by creating the most comprehensive protection protocol I've ever seen."

"I'm ensuring mission success and asset security."

"You're protecting her."

The observation settles like certainty in my chest.

"You assigned me reconnaissance and crowd management," I answer, but there's something calculating in my satisfaction now.

"I assigned you intelligence gathering. You assigned yourself something much more comprehensive."

I gesture at the equipment spread across the workbench: enhanced communication gear, GPS tracking with real-time medical monitoring, emergency beacons that will alert me the instant her heart rate spikes.

"Advanced safety protocols. Real-time health monitoring. Redundant emergency response."

"For everyone?"

"For the most valuable asset on the team."

Cole's quiet for a moment. When he speaks, there's resignation in his tone. "So she won't let you care for her emotionally—"

"So I'll care for her professionally." The words come out with quiet confidence. Another map spreads across the desk, and I mark sight lines from the convention center. "Mission parameters give me every justification I need."

"That's..." He pauses. "Actually brilliant. Completely transparent. But brilliant."

The scratch marks burn as I reach for another map.

My phone buzzes. Unknown number:"Your friend from the desert sends regards. Looking forward to Saturday's races."

Viktor. The Grand Prix is Saturday.

I forward it to Kade immediately. His response is instant:"Mission timeline confirmed. You and Mira primary. Three days prep."

My phone rings. Kade again.

"Nitro." His voice carries that careful tone. "Cole just briefed me on your... situation with Mira."

"Which situation?"

"The one where half the team heard you two destroying furniture last night. For hours."

Shit.

"Kade—"

"Viktor's our best lead to Roman. I need to know if personal complications will affect intelligence gathering."

"They won't—"

"Asher's medical telemetry shows neither of you slept enough. She's moving like she's injured. You look like you got mauled."

The medical monitors. Of course.

"Can you work with her or not?"

"Yes."