Page 46 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost (Nightfall Syndicate #1)

thirty-six

Alina

" W e've made progress tracking the connections from Roman's initial investigation," Kade begins, his voice steady and focused.

I'm supposed to still be furious with him, not fantasizing about another round.

Kade stands at the front of the room, his muscular frame casting a long shadow across the polished conference table. When our eyes meet, a spark of heat passes between us, and I quickly look away.

Stop it, Alina. Professional face on.

"Cole, what have you found?" I straighten as Kade's commanding voice ripples through my body, making my nerve endings tingle from my neck all the way down to my tailbone.

Fuck's sake, get it together.

Cole, all business as usual, pulls up a series of complex diagrams on the main screen, his fingers moving with practiced precision across his tablet.

"I've identified several shell companies linked to the financial transactions Roman was tracking.

They all seem to funnel back to a central holding company.

" Cole pauses, adjusting his glasses. "The pattern suggests deliberate obfuscation—someone's going to great lengths to hide these money trails. "

I lean forward, focusing on the data rather than the way Kade's jaw clenches when he's concentrating. The flash drive burns a hole in my pocket. I pull it out and slide it across the table toward Cole.

"I don't know who the man I met really was, but the information…it looks legit. He provided this before Steele's men showed up. It contains shipping manifests from Apex Solutions—they're moving far more than semiconductors." My voice comes out steadier than I feel.

"Jenny's notes matched license plates on these vans to a shell company owned by Markus Steele—the same man whose name appeared in financial transfers to the judge who dismissed charges against the Harbor Patrol officer who discovered bodies at Pier 42."

Kade's gaze locks onto mine, his eyes burning with intensity. "You didn't mention this earlier."

Because we were busy with our mouths and hands all over each other , I think, warmth flooding my face.

"I was a little preoccupied with not getting killed," I reply with forced calm. I only managed to look at these files after we arrived at headquarters this morning. It's not like I've had any opportunity to examine them properly and brief you before now.

Jax snickers, earning a sharp look from Kade.

"Have we been able to trace any of these back to specific individuals beyond Steele?" I ask, redirecting the conversation.

Kade's expression softens slightly. "Not yet, but we're getting closer."

"Jax has been running surveillance on some potential leads related to Steele," Cole adds.

Jax, lounging in his chair with characteristic casual grace, straightens and pulls up a series of grainy surveillance photos.

"We've identified three locations Steele frequents regularly. Two appear to be legitimate businesses, but the third..."

He pauses, zooming in on a nondescript warehouse, his usual playful demeanor vanishing. "This one's interesting. Heavy security, irregular hours of operation, and—" he flicks to another image, "delivery vans matching the descriptions from your flash drive."

Jenny died for this information , I think, a familiar hollow ache spreading through my chest. I'm so close to the truth she was chasing.

"We need to get eyes inside that warehouse," I say, my instincts kicking into high gear. "If we could document what's happening in there—"

Kade cuts me off, his tone sharp. "Absolutely not. We're not risking exposure for the sake of documentation."

And there' s the controlling asshole again.

My blood pressure spikes.

"So you can stalk me for weeks, but heaven forbid I suggest doing actual intelligence gathering?" The words slip out before I can stop them.

The room falls silent. Asher and Cole exchange glances. Jax suddenly finds his coffee fascinating.

I feel my frustration rising. "But if we don't gather concrete evidence, how can we hope to bring these people to justice?"

"Our priority is dismantling the operation, not building a court case," Kade counters, a muscle pulsing in his jaw.

I want to scream at him and kiss him at the same time.

Asher clears his throat, breaking the tension.

"What if we try something different?" His calm, measured voice cuts through the charged atmosphere.

"We could watch from a distance for a couple days, see what patterns emerge. Then we hit Fisherman's Wharf—blend in with the tourists, get a closer look without raising suspicion."

His suggestion makes sense. It gives us time to gather information safely while setting up our next move. I nod, already planning how we'll approach this new angle.

"That could work. I have contacts at some of the restaurants there who might notice unusual activity."

I can see Kade considering this, his jaw tightening as he weighs the options. His protective instincts war with tactical necessity. The air feels heavy with expectation as we wait for him to make up his mind.

"Damian could pose as a supplier," Cole suggests, typing rapidly. "Get closer to their operation. "

Jax stretches his long legs under the table. "I could do a drive-by, map the entry points, security cameras." He grins, a flash of white teeth against his tan skin. "Been wanting to test the new mods on the Corvette anyway."

After a tense moment, Kade nods reluctantly. "Fine. We'll set up remote surveillance. But no one—" his eyes lock onto mine, "and I mean no one, goes near that warehouse without my explicit approval. Understood?"

I bite back a retort, knowing I've won a small victory. Part of me hates how his commanding tone sends heat pooling low in my belly.

"Crystal clear, sir ," I respond, the honorific dripping with sarcasm.

Jax coughs to hide a laugh. Asher's lips twitch in an almost-smile.

The meeting wraps up quickly after that, with assignments handed out to each team member. As we file out of the room, Kade's hand catches my elbow, his touch sending an inconvenient jolt of desire through me.

"A word?" His voice is low, meant only for me.

Yes, please. No, absolutely not. God, I'm a mess.

"I'm busy," I say, pulling free from his grasp. "Detective Wilson's statement needs reviewing, and I've got two years of Jenny's notes to cross-reference."

Something flashes in his eyes—hurt, frustration, desire—before his professional mask slips back into place.

"This isn't over, Alina," he murmurs, the promise in his voice making my traitorous heart skip.

"It never is with you," I whisper back, walking away with my dignity intact but my resolve crumbling.

Two days later, I'm crouched behind a dumpster in an alley off Fisherman's Wharf, my eyes trained on the bustling street beyond. The smell of rotting fish and salt air fills my nostrils, but I force myself to focus on the task at hand.

Kade's voice in my earpiece cuts through my thoughts. "What do you see, little hellcat?"

I take a deep breath, channeling all my training into this moment. "Two men at the corner of Jefferson and Taylor. One's on his phone, the other's scanning the crowd. Body language suggests they're waiting for someone."

"Good," Kade murmurs. "What else?"

I narrow my eyes, picking up on subtle details. "The one on the phone keeps checking his watch. He's nervous. The other one has his hand inside his jacket—definitely concealing a weapon."

Jax's voice chimes in, excited energy evident even through comms. "Not bad, rookie. You're picking this up faster than I expected."

I allow myself a small smile, even as I keep my gaze locked on our targets. "Thanks. I had good teachers."

"Don't get cocky," Asher growls, but I detect a hint of approval in his tone. Typical Frost—grudging respect wrapped in perpetual caution.

"I'll get cocky if I want to," I mutter under my breath, adjusting my position. "I've earned it."

Kade's low chuckle tells me he heard. "Focus, Alina."

Suddenly, a black SUV pulls up to the curb. I tense, my hand instinctively moving to the hidden camera at my belt. "Vehicle approaching. Tinted windows, no plates visible."

"I see it," Kade confirms. "Stay put and keep observing. Do not engage."

A man in a crisp suit exits the SUV, greeting our original targets. They exchange a brief conversation before all three climb into the vehicle.

"They're on the move," I report, my heart racing with adrenaline and frustration. "I'm going to follow—"

"Negative," Kade cuts me off. "Maintain position."

I bite back a sharp retort. After two more days of intensive training, I'm sick of being treated like a glass figurine. Before I can argue, Kade's voice softens. "Good work, Alina."

As I process Kade's words of approval, a flicker of movement catches my eye. My instincts kick in before I can fully register what's happening.

"Down!" I yell into my comm, dropping to the ground as a bullet whizzes past where my head had been moments ago.

Gunshots shatter the silence. Our peaceful side street explodes into violent mayhem. Bullets whiz past as I spot bright flashes coming from all around us.

Kade materializes beside me and takes out two attackers with lightning-fast shots before I can even blink. His face transforms into something primal, cold, lethal focus with a possessive fury lurking beneath.

My heart pounds in my chest, but I force myself to not get distracted.

Use your training , I remind myself.

I spot a figure moving behind a nearby dumpster and shout, "Nine o'clock, Ghost!"

He pivots instantly, neutralizing the threat with brutal efficiency. The assailant crumples, his body folding in on itself and hitting the ground .

My stomach twists, a sickening blend of horror and exhilaration coursing through me. I can't tear my eyes away.