Chapter 22

Avery was in.

Mason wasn’t totally clear on how he felt about that.

The determination shining from her deep, dark eyes told him just how committed she was. She’d be well aware of the consequences.

Just not the consequences for him.

Now he was responsible for her safety and her career. He wanted to call this off in the worst way, but his team could handle the op. No doubt there.

He paused at the head of the table, hands braced on the polished wood as he surveyed his team. The energy in Bridger’s luxurious dining room was electric, a mix of anticipation and determination that set his nerves thrumming.

Combat energy.

He locked gazes with Avery.

She didn’t even flinch.

Something twisted in his gut—a mixture of admiration and worry that he didn’t care to examine too closely.

But there was one huge, open issue they needed to resolve before they dug into the details of the mission. “Once we do this, they’re going to know we hit them. There’ll be no more hiding this investigation.”

“You’re thinking they’ll close up shop and run?” Tai instantly saw where he was going.

“Bingo.”

Avery paled. Mason felt like he’d just punched her in the gut, but it had to be said.

“Of course,” she practically whispered. “I should have thought about that.”

From across the table, Kate waved her hands. “Wait. Wait. Wait. Who says they don’t already know about your investigation? I hate to bring it up, but either your immediate supervisor works for them, or he got clued in by someone who does.”

“A shockingly good point,” Fenn teased.

Kate shot him a burning look, which he ignored. As usual.

“The point is,” Fenn continued, “they haven’t disappeared yet. I say it’s worth the gamble.”

Kate rolled her eyes. “This from the man who’ll bet on anything. Literally anything.”

Fenn pressed a hand to his heart. “A man’s gotta have some fun.”

Kate snorted. “You’re a man with many problems. Lack of fun isn’t one of them.”

Clearly unfazed, Fenn winked at Avery. “Says the woman who can’t even spell the word.”

Fenn’s quick wit earned him a tiny smile from Avery. Mason couldn’t help but envy the man’s style. How come he couldn’t coax a smile out of her? All he ever got were wary looks. Or angry ones. Then again, the first time they met he did sort of kidnap her. Suddenly, he had the urge to make it up to her.

But now wasn’t the time. “It’s your call,” he said.

The smile faded. She stared down at her hands for a long moment, her thick curls obscuring her features. When she looked up again, fire burned in her eyes. “Let’s do this.”

He clapped his hands together. “Okay. Looks like we have a mission to plan. Let’s run through the deets.”

Paige raised her hand, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Speaking of deets, I have a surprise for you guys.”

Mason raised an eyebrow. “What kind of surprise?”

She grinned, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small, sleek device. “Meet Phantom. It’s a little something I’ve been working on. It’s untested, but it’s designed to help us bypass things like Rain Bay’s security systems.”

Fenn leaned forward in his chair. “You’re telling me that tiny thing can get us past their state-of-the-art security?”

“Uh, yeah.” Paige’s grin widened. “Not only that, but it’ll make us practically invisible.”

The team leaned in, intrigued, as Paige launched into an explanation of the Phantom’s features—an EMP generator, ultrasonic emitter, wireless signal jammer, IR mask, and universal keycard, all miniaturized and combined into a single, easy-to-use device.

“Hold on,” Tai said, his brow furrowed. “How do we know this thing won’t fry our own equipment?”

Paige’s mouth dropped open. “Give me some credit. Phantom is designed to target specific frequencies and wavelengths. Your adorable little drones will be perfectly safe.”

Mason let out a low whistle. “Impressive.”

Avery nodded, her eyes wide with excitement. “This could be a game-changer.”

“Exactly,” Paige said, her cheeks flushed with pride.

The team erupted into excited chatter, ideas flying back and forth as they incorporated Paige’s invention into their plans. Mason felt a surge of pride as he watched them work, their minds sharp and focused. Coolest found family. Ever.

“What about the security guards?” Avery asked. “There are four of them. We can’t expect to avoid them entirely.”

A valid point. One that had been weighing on his mind as well.

Paige grinned hard. “Guys, I got you covered.”

One eye on Avery, Mason folded his arms across his chest and waited for Paige to dazzle them all one more time.

Paige held up her sleek device. “I’ve been working on a little something extra, just for this occasion.”

Mason watched, intrigued, as she tapped a button on the side of the box. A soft, pulsing hum filled the air, and he felt a tingle of anticipation run down his spine.

No—it was more than a tingle. It was a heavy wave of … energy.

“Ultrasonic frequency generator,” Paige explained. “It sends out pulses of low frequency sounds. Ultra-low frequency infrasound. They’ll disorient anyone within a 50-foot radius, making it harder for them to focus or coordinate their movements. It’ll be like being drunk. Very drunk.”

Graham scratched his chin. “What about us?”

Tai snapped his fingers. “Noise cancelling headphones.”

Paige pointed straight at him. “A point for the tall man. The headphones are over-ear. They won’t interfere with our comlinks.”

Tai whistled. “This isn’t your grandma’s mission.”

Mason’s eyebrows shot up, impressed by Paige’s ingenuity. He glanced at Avery and saw the same look of admiration on her face.

“That’s brilliant,” she said. “So we’ll have a window of opportunity to slip past the guards while they’re off-balance.”

Mason nodded, his expression serious. “Exactly. But we’ll still need to be careful.” He eyed Paige. “You think the effect’ll last long enough for us to get them tied up?”

The computer expert didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely.”

He turned to Tai. “I want you on overwatch.”

Tai nodded, his fingers already dancing over his keyboard. “Got it, boss. I’ll have eyes on the perimeter and the interior.”

Mason looked around the room, his gaze settling on each member of the team in turn. These were the people he trusted with his life, the ones who had his back no matter what. “We get in, get the evidence, and get out. No heroics, no unnecessary risks. Understood?”

A chorus of nods and murmurs of assent filled the room. Avery looked equally determined.

She reached out, taking his hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’ve got this,” she said, her voice steady and sure.

A rush of warmth zinged through him, almost as powerful as Paige’s Phantom.

But the excitement was short-lived. Paul slapped a hand down on the table, his eyes wide and determined. “I’m coming with,” he announced.

Mason stiffened. “Absolutely not.”

Avery shook her head. “Paul, it’s too dangerous. You’re a civilian.”

But Paul, being Paul, doubled down on that stubborn glare he perfected in the second grade. “I know that warehouse better than any of you. I can help.”

“Help?” Mason scoffed. “More like get yourself killed.”

“You don’t even know me. I’m not helpless,” Paul shot back, his chin jutting out defiantly. “I know the risks, and I’m willing to take them.”

Mason opened his mouth to argue, but to his surprise, Tai spoke up. “The kid’s got a point, Mace. His background knowledge could be invaluable.”

Graham nodded. “Agreed. We could use all the intel we can get.”

Mason looked to Avery for support, but she just shrugged helplessly. “They’re not wrong. Paul’s insights could give us a real edge.”

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Fine. But you’re staying outside as a lookout and getaway driver only. You can guide the team over the comlink. No arguments.”

Paul’s face lit up, and he nodded eagerly. “I hear you. That’s fair.”

As the team finalized their plans, Mason pulled Avery aside. “I don’t like putting Paul in harm’s way.”

She laid a hand on his arm, her touch sending another jolt of electricity through him. “I know. But he’s capable, Mason. More than you believe, I think.”

He held her gaze for a long moment, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation. But all he saw was determination and faith—in Paul, in the team, and in him.

“Okay,” he said finally, his voice rough. “But if anything happens to him …”

“It won’t,” she said firmly. “He’ll have you.”

Great. Nothing like a little added pressure.

He watched as the team filed out of the room, their voices echoing down the hallway as they made their final preparations. He sank into a chair, his head in his hands as he tried to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him.

He was about to lead his team, his brother, and a special agent––a beautiful, dedicated woman–– into the lion’s den. A fierce protectiveness bloomed in his chest, catching him by surprise.

He had feelings for Avery Ellis. Protectiveness. Yearning. Feelings that skirted suspiciously close to serious liking.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. They had a job to do, and he needed to stay focused. But as he stood to join the others, he couldn’t shake the feeling that everything in his life was about to change.