Page 32 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost (Nightfall Syndicate #1)

twenty-six

Kade

I stride into the Command Center, my boots echoing on the polished floor. Alina's touch lingers on my skin, memories from last night threatening to crack my careful control.

The team gathers around the mission planning zone, their faces illuminated by the glow of multiple screens. I keep my eyes fixed on the displays, avoiding Alina's gaze.

"What do we have?" My voice comes out rougher than intended.

Asher steps forward, gesturing to a map on the main screen. "Three primary shipping routes that align with Roman's notes." He zooms in on a section of the Pacific. "I've been staring at these financial patterns so long I'm starting to dream in spreadsheet format."

I nod, studying the intricate web of lines while trying to ignore Alina's scent as she moves closer to the display. My mind keeps drifting to her body against mine, the vulnerability I'd shown her in the darkness. Weakness I can't afford.

"Financial records show large transfers to shell companies along these routes," Cole adds, his voice grounding me as he pulls up a series of charts. "The pattern suggests systematic money laundering."

Alina leans forward, her body angled toward Cole rather than me. "Those shell companies match patterns I've seen in tech firms hiding illegal activities." She turns toward me, eyes flashing with determination. "We need to move on this now. Every day we wait, more people get hurt."

"We need more intel," I counter, jaw tightening. "Rushing in gets people killed."

Cole clears his throat. "The data suggests—"

"The data suggests we're dealing with human trafficking," Alina interrupts. "We already know children are involved. How much more evidence do we need before we act?"

Her challenge grates against my nerves, already raw from last night's vulnerability. "We move when I say we move."

"While you're being cautious, people are suffering." She steps closer, defiance rolling off her in waves.

Jax swivels in his chair, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Speaking of moving... I noticed you were running pretty late this morning, boss. Would've called to check on you, but figured you were... occupied."

I shoot him a warning glance.

"Focus on the mission, Nitro," I order .

"Always do." Jax turns back to his screen. "And speaking of focusing, these shipping routes all converge at specific intervals. Almost like a well-choreographed dance of criminal activity."

"We have enough to start planning an intervention," Alina insists, ignoring Jax's comment. "My source at the port says—"

"Your source?" I scoff, frustration building. "The same brilliant judgment that had you meeting an unknown contact for dinner without backup?"

The words slip out before I can stop them. I immediately see my mistake.

Alina freezes. "What are you talking about?"

The room goes silent. Asher suddenly becomes very interested in his tablet. Cole types with unnecessary focus.

"Nothing," I mutter, turning back to the display.

"No." Alina steps in front of me, blocking my view. "How did you know about my dinner? I never told you about meeting David."

I say nothing, which is confirmation enough.

Her eyes widen with realization. "You were watching me that night." Her voice drops to a dangerous whisper. "After the warehouse—you were following me."

Jax whistles low. "Oh shit."

"You were stalking me?" Alina's voice rises.

"Did you—" She stops, connecting the dots. "Did you get David to leave? That emergency client call... that was you?"

My silence condemns me.

"Ghost works in mysterious ways," Jax offers unhelpfully. "Especially when he's—"

"Finish that sentence and you'll be running drills until next year," I snap.

Asher clears his throat. "If we could return to the matter of international human trafficking, rather than Ghost's questionable surveillance techniques? Though I must say, the latter is marginally more entertaining."

"You've been manipulating everything from the start." Alina's voice trembles with anger. "You saving me wasn't a coincidence either, was it?"

"We have a mission," I growl, struggling to maintain control.

"Answer me!" she demands.

The team stills, uncomfortably silent. Cole studies his screen with sudden intensity. Asher examines the ceiling as if it holds tactical information.

"I was investigating Roman's disappearance," I finally admit. "Your research into Apex Solutions crossed paths with our investigation."

"So you decided to what—insert yourself into my life? Get me to trust you? Was that part of your mission too?" Her voice cracks slightly.

"That's not how it was," I say, but the words sound hollow even to me.

Jax shifts uncomfortably. "Maybe we should give you two some pri—"

"Ship logs," Cole interrupts, his voice deliberately neutral. "Large transfers of personnel listed as 'equipment' on manifests match the financial patterns from the shell companies."

Alina's eyes remain locked on mine, betrayal radiating from her entire body .

"You manipulated me from the beginning," she says quietly. "Was last night part of your strategy too?"

The accusation hits like a physical blow.

"Alina—" I start, my voice unusually soft.

She shakes her head.

"I need some space." She turns abruptly, heading toward the exit.

"Where are you going?" I demand, instinctively stepping forward to stop her.

"Roman's office," she says without turning around. "To do actual investigative work instead of being played."

The door slams behind her, leaving heavy silence.

After a long moment, Asher speaks. "Well, that went about as well as trying to defuse a bomb with a sledgehammer."

He looks at me pointedly. "Perhaps not your most strategic operation, Ghost."

I glare at him, then at Jax. "Not another word." I turn to Cole. "Send me everything you have on those manifests and financial records."

"Already done," Cole responds quietly.

I stride toward the door, torn between following Alina and giving her the space she deserves. The mission demands focus, but all I can think about is the look of betrayal in her eyes.

"Continue the investigation," I order over my shoulder. "I need to fix this."

"Good luck with that," Asher mutters. "You might need more than tactical training for this particular extraction."

I pause at the doorway, my hand tightening on the frame. Everything was supposed to be controlled, calculated. Now it's all spiraling, and the worst part is I don't regret watching over her that night at the restaurant.

I'd do it again.