Page 36 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost (Nightfall Syndicate #1)

"Then why haven't you been answering our calls?" Dad presses, pacing the kitchen floor. "Your mother's been calling hospitals, for God's sake! I was about to file a missing person's report!"

My stomach twists with guilt. "Look, I can't go into details, but I promise I'm being careful."

Grandma leans forward, her voice low but eyes twinkling. "Careful, schmareful. That man downstairs has muscles on his muscles. You keeping him all to yourself, or can Grandma have his number?"

"Grandma!" I exclaim, feeling heat rise to my cheeks .

Mom wrings her hands, tears forming in her eyes. "Alina, please. We deserve to know what's happening. After what happened to Jenny... I can't sleep thinking you might be—"

"Don't even say it," Dad interrupts, his voice breaking. "I can't... we can't lose you too."

The raw fear in his voice cuts through me. I reach across the table for his hand. "Dad, Mom, I promise, I'm as safe as I can be. The team I'm working with... they're professionals. They know how to handle situations like this."

"Situations like what?" Mom asks, her voice rising in panic. "What aren't you telling us?"

I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. "There's... a connection to Jenny's case. I can't say more, but it's important. I have to see this through."

A heavy silence falls over the room. Mom wipes her eyes, Dad's jaw clenches, and Grandma studies me with a mixture of pride and concern.

Grandma Sophia leans forward, her eyes sharp. "This team you're working with, are they trustworthy?"

I take a sip of water, buying time. "They're... experienced. Professional."

"That's not what I asked," she presses.

Dad pushes his chair back, pacing near the kitchen counter. "Your grandmother's right, Alina. We need more than vague assurances."

His shoulders tighten as he moves across the room. My eyes trace the rigid lines of his back, drinking in every detail of his tense posture.

"Dad, I know it's frustrating. But I can't share details. "

Mom joins Dad by the counter, her hand on his arm. "We're just worried, sweetheart. After what happened to Jenny..." Her voice cracks. "I keep having these terrible nightmares where we get a call that you've been—" She breaks off, unable to finish.

The name hangs in the air, heavy with unspoken grief. I close my eyes for a moment, memories of Jenny's laugh echoing in my mind.

"That's exactly why I have to do this," I say softly. "Jenny was onto something big. I owe it to her to finish what she started."

Grandma rises, moving to the window overlooking Washington Square. "You sound just like your father, you know. That same fire for justice."

She turns, winking at me. "And apparently the same taste in dangerous-looking men as your mother. Your father looked just as intimidating when he was younger. Before he went soft."

"I did not go soft," Dad protests, but there's a hint of a smile.

Mom doesn't smile. "It's not about justice, it's about keeping our daughter alive. Alina, please. Whatever this is, let the police handle it."

I stand, joining Grandma at the window. "It can be both, Mom. Jenny deserves justice, and I promise I'm being careful."

Mom crosses her arms, worry etched deep in the lines of her face. "But this team, these... professionals. How do you know they have your best interests at heart?"

If she only knew about Kade, about the kiss, about everything.. .

I push the thought away. "They've already saved my life once. I trust them."

Dad's face drains of color. "Saved your life? Jesus Christ, Alina, what the hell is going on?"

I wince. Crap, I said too much. "It was just a close call. Nothing serious."

"Nothing serious?" Mom practically shouts, her hands trembling. "Someone tried to hurt you? My God, Alina, I can't—I can't breathe—"

Dad guides her to a chair, his face ashen. "This isn't happening. This cannot be happening."

Grandma turns from the window, her gaze piercing but voice surprisingly gentle. "Let me guess. That handsome man downstairs isn't the only one keeping an eye on you, is he? There's someone else. Someone who's got you all twisted up inside."

Heat rises to my cheeks. "Grandma, it's not like that."

"Oh please," she scoffs. "I may be old, but I'm not blind. I know that look. Your grandfather gave me that same look, right before he followed me into a war zone."

Mom looks up, still shaking. "Alina, who are these people? What have you gotten yourself into?"

I move to the kitchen, needing space. "We're partners in this investigation. And I've... I've received training. I can protect myself now."

"Training?" Dad echoes, incredulous. "What kind of training?"

I think about the past three days—weapons handling with Asher, evasive driving with Jax, tactical assessment with Cole. "The kind that keeps people alive."

Mom starts crying in earnest now, silent tears streaming down her face. "My baby... my baby girl... "

Guilt crashes over me in waves. I grab my phone, making a decision. "I need to make a call. I'll be right back."

I step into my old bedroom, closing the door behind me, dialing Kade's number.

He answers on the first ring. "Everything okay?" His low tone causes a rush of sensation along my back, even though I'm still pissed off at him.

"No, everything is not okay," I hiss. "My parents are falling apart, and I'm tired of lying to them."

"Alina—"

"I'm staying here tonight," I cut him off. "Cole can head back. I want to be with my family."

A pause. "That's not the plan."

"I don't give a fuck about the plan, Kade." My voice trembles with emotion. "My mother is in tears thinking I'm going to end up dead in an alley somewhere. I need to be here."

Another pause, longer this time. "You've had three days of training. That doesn't make you—"

"If your security around my family is as good as you claim, then there shouldn't be a problem," I challenge. "Or was that just another lie?"

His sharp intake of breath tells me I've hit a nerve. "The security is solid. But you—"

"I need this, Kade," I say, softening my tone. "Please. Just one night."

I hear him exhale slowly. "You'll keep your phone on. All trackers active. And I want check-ins every two hours."

"Fine. Whatever." I roll my eyes even though he can't see me.

"I mean it, Alina. Miss one check-in, and I'm coming to get you, family dinner be damned. "

A little thrill runs through me at his authoritative tone, but I push it away. "Got it. I'll tell Cole he can head back."

"Alina." His voice drops lower. "Be safe."

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard. "I will. I promise."

After ending the call, I return to the kitchen. Mom has composed herself, though her eyes are still red-rimmed. Dad sits beside her, his arm around her shoulders. Grandma is stirring something on the stove, humming softly.

"I'm staying tonight," I announce. "Cole's heading back."

Mom looks up, hope lighting her face. "Really?"

I nod. "Really. I need to step outside and let Cole know."

Grandma winks at me. "Tell your muscle man I said goodbye. Such a wasted opportunity."

Despite everything, I laugh. "I'll be right back."

Outside, Cole waits by the car, alert as always. "Everything okay?"

"Change of plans. I'm staying here tonight," I explain. "Kade approved it."

Cole raises an eyebrow. "Did he now? That's... surprising."

"I can be very persuasive," I say with a shrug. "The security here is good?"

He nods. "Top of the line. Motion sensors, surveillance cameras, panic buttons. We've got a team monitoring 24/7."

Relief washes over me. "Good. That's... good."

Cole studies me for a moment. "You know he's just trying to protect you, right? In his own... intense way."

I cross my arms. "I don't need a lecture. "

"Not lecturing. Just observing." He opens the car door. "Check in with him, Alina. Every two hours, like I'm sure he told you. He might seem like he's made of stone, but when it comes to you..." He shakes his head. "Just don't torture the guy too much, okay?"

A stab of guilt hits my chest. "I'll check in. Promise."

For the first time in days, I feel something like peace. Whatever dangers tomorrow might bring, tonight I'm just a daughter coming home.

I take out my phone and send a quick text to Kade: I'm fine. Security looks good. Talk in two hours.

His response comes almost immediately: Two hours. Not a minute later.

Despite myself, I smile. Bossy as ever. But tonight, I'll let him have this small victory.

As I head back inside, my phone buzzes with another text.

Intel from Steele's files. Your contact Simon from Apex Tech reached out. Says he has proof about the shipments. Wants to meet tomorrow morning.

I freeze on the doorstep, staring at the screen. Simon was the whistleblower who'd first tipped Jenny off. If he's finally willing to talk...

Another text follows: Don't even think about it. Too dangerous. We'll handle it.

The café Simon suggested is just three blocks from here.

One quick meeting.

One flash drive of evidence.

I could be back before anyone realized.