Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
LYNDSEY
Lyndsey waited while Jake and Reyna first cleared the cabin and then the surrounding area.
“I saw tracks on the other side of the woods,” said Jake. “They either left to get help, or they think we’ve abandoned the cabin. Either way, I’ve set additional perimeter alarms. We can bug out if we need to. I’ll take first watch.”
“Sounds good,” said Reyna. “I need to eat something while we go over what we got so you can send our notes along with the raw data to Cerberus. Then if you’re still up for first watch, I’ll hit the sack.”
Lyndsey sat at the cabin’s small wooden table, her laptop open and glowing faintly in the dim light of the room. Jake and Reyna hovered nearby, Reyna munching on a sandwich. Both she and Jake’s expressions were grim as the three of them sifted through the data gathered during the infiltration.
“Tell me you’ve got something useful,” Reyna said, leaning over Lyndsey’s shoulder. Her tone was lighter than the mood demanded, but it didn’t mask the urgency in her eyes.
Lyndsey nodded, her fingers flying over the keyboard. “There’s a lot here. Meeting transcripts, financial transactions, blueprints… it’s going to take time to comb through it all, but this...” she pointed to a highlighted section on the screen, “...this is big.”
Jake stepped closer, his presence grounding her as he scanned the screen. “Lang’s name,” he muttered, his tone laced with disdain. “No surprise there.”
“But it’s not just Lang,” Lyndsey said, her voice tight. “Look at these names—aren’t those the people you saw at the auction?”
“Shit,” snarled Jake. “Sergei Ivanov, Amal Rahimi, and a few others—these aren’t just individuals. They represent entire networks. Weapons, hostile nations, terrorist cells...”
Reyna let out a low whistle. “Quite the guest list. No wonder security was so tight.”
Lyndsey turned to face them, her eyes sharp. “This isn’t just about my research. It’s about power. Control. They’re building a coalition, pooling resources and expertise to create something... unstoppable.”
Jake’s jaw tightened, his gaze dark. “They’re not just bidding on your technology. They’re building alliances. If they succeed...”
“They could reshape the global balance,” Lyndsey finished, her voice trembling slightly. “And not in a good way.”
Reyna crossed her arms, pacing the small room. “This isn’t just a sale. It’s the start of something bigger. These aren’t the kind of people who sit in a room and play nice unless there’s a massive payoff.”
Jake nodded. “Lang’s the linchpin. He’s the one connecting all these players. If we can cut him out of the equation...”
“It’s not that simple,” Lyndsey interjected, her voice rising. “Lang might be the connection, but he’s not the only one who knows how to use my work. If he’s eliminated, someone else will step up. Someone just as ruthless, maybe even worse.”
Jake’s gaze softened as he looked at her. “Then we make sure no one has access to your research. We shut it down, permanently.”
Lyndsey’s stomach twisted at the thought. “You don’t understand. My research isn’t just a weapon. It’s a breakthrough in regenerative medicine. It could save lives—millions of them.”
Jake hunkered down next to her, his hand resting on the edge of the table. “And how many lives could it destroy if it someone is able to complete your work with less than honorable intentions?”
The question hung in the air, substantial and unanswerable. Lyndsey dropped her gaze to her hands, her fingers clenching into fists. “I didn’t create this to hurt people,” she whispered.
“I know,” Jake said softly. “But right now, it’s not about what you intended. It’s about what they intend to do with it.”
Reyna cleared her throat, breaking the moment. “Okay, so what’s the play? We can’t sit here analyzing data forever. Lang’s not exactly the type to let this slide.”
Lyndsey glanced up, her eyes blazing. “We find out who else is involved. If we can identify key players, we can disrupt the entire operation.”
Jake stood, his expression grim but resolute. “And we take them out before they can regroup.”
Reyna grinned, her tone tinged with dark humor. “Now we’re talking.”
Lyndsey’s gaze flicked between them, her pulse quickening. This was her work, her responsibility. But as she looked at Jake, she felt a flicker of something else—trust. Despite his gruff demeanor, he was unwavering in his dedication to keeping her safe. And that made her feel stronger, braver.
“I’ll start decrypting the rest of the files,” Lyndsey said, turning back to her laptop. “If we’re going to stop them, we need everything we can get.”
Jake nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder. The weight of it was reassuring, grounding. “We’ll stop them, Lyndsey. One way or another.”
Her breath hitched at the intensity in his voice, but she didn’t look away. “I hope you’re right.”
As the room fell into a focused silence, the only sounds the tapping of keys and the occasional rustle of paper, Lyndsey felt the enormity of what they were up against. They weren’t just fighting for her research. They were fighting for something much bigger. And as long as Jake was by her side, she believed they might actually have a chance.
The glow of the screen lit up Lyndsey’s face, her expression far from calm. Jake stood a few feet away, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on her. Reyna lounged in an armchair, spinning a knife between her fingers.
“This can’t be right,” Lyndsey murmured, her voice trembling. She scanned the lines of text filling the screen. “It’s lies. It has to be lies.”
Jake pushed off the wall, stepping closer. “What is it?”
She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. Her voice was barely above a whisper when she spoke. “I got most of what Cerberus will need, so I decided to just look at the dark web. There are rumors on there... that I’m not the real scientist behind the research. They’re saying I’m just a figurehead.”
Reyna sat up straight, her expression sharpening. “What? That’s ridiculous.”
Lyndsey’s breath hitched as she continued reading. “It gets worse. They’re claiming there are others—hidden investors, secret collaborators—who are the true owners of the technology. And...” Her voice broke as she scrolled further. “And Marcus... his name is all over this.”
“Marcus?” asked Reyna.
Jake’s jaw tightened, his hand resting on the back of the chair as he looked at the screen. “Marcus Vance. Lyndsey’s mentor and former romantic partner. What are they saying about him?”
“They’re painting him as the mastermind,” Lyndsey said, her voice shaking. “That he’s been funding the research from the shadows, pulling the strings. That everything I’ve done... it wasn’t mine to begin with.”
“That’s bull,” Reyna said, her tone sharp. “I’ve seen your work, Doc. Some of this has your fingerprints all over it.”
“But people will believe it,” Lyndsey said, her hands balling into fists. “The dark web isn’t just some conspiracy theorist hangout. It’s where information brokers, mercenaries, and black-market dealers get their intel. If this spreads, my reputation, my career—everything I’ve worked for—it’ll be destroyed.”
Jake knelt beside her, his presence grounding. “You know the truth. You built this from the ground up. No one can take that away from you.”
Lyndsey looked at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “But what if Marcus is involved? What if he’s been working against me this whole time?” Her voice cracked. “He was my mentor, Jake. He believed in me when no one else did.”
Jake’s jaw clenched, his voice low and firm. “If he’s turned on you, we’ll deal with it. But right now, you need to focus. This isn’t about your reputation—it’s about stopping them from using your research to hurt people.”
Lyndsey’s gaze dropped to her hands, her fingers trembling. “It’s not just about the research. It’s about who I am. If they convince the world I’m a fraud...” She trailed off, shaking her head. “I can’t let them win.”
Reyna stood, tossing the knife onto the coffee table with a clatter. “You won’t. We won’t let them. But you need to keep your head in the game, Doc. These people thrive on manipulation. They’re trying to rattle you.”
“And it’s working,” Lyndsey admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jake reached out, his hand brushing hers. The touch was brief but firm, a silent promise. “They can’t erase the truth, Lyndsey. We won’t let them.”
Lyndsey looked up at him, her resolve hardening. “You’re right. If they want to paint me as a fraud, I’ll show them just how wrong they are. But first, we need to find out who’s behind this and why.”
Jake nodded, his gaze steady. “Then let’s start with Marcus. If his name’s attached to this, we need to figure out how deep he’s in.”
Reyna grabbed her laptop from the counter, flipping it open as she settled back into her chair. “Already on it. Let’s see if our dear Dr. Vance has been making friends in all the wrong places.”
As Reyna began typing, Lyndsey turned back to Jake. “What if we find out he’s really part of this?”
“Then he’s no longer your mentor,” Jake said bluntly. “He’s the enemy.”
As they worked, the stress in the cabin finally began to ease. Reyna stretched dramatically and tossed her laptop onto the couch. “I’m calling it a night. Try not to burn the place down while I’m asleep,” she said with a wink, her tone teasing.
Lyndsey glanced at her, forcing a smile. “Goodnight, Reyna.”
“Night, Doc. Jake.” Reyna gave a mock salute before disappearing into one of the bedrooms, the sound of the door clicking shut leaving an almost tangible quiet in her wake.
Several more hours passed before Lyndsey got up from the table and sank into the couch, her fingers rubbing her temples. The glow from the dying fire bathed the room in warm, flickering light, casting shadows across Jake’s sharp features as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His ever-present intensity seemed softer in the dim light, but his watchfulness remained.
“You should get some rest, too,” he said, his voice low and steady.
“I can’t,” Lyndsey admitted, her voice softer than she intended. “Not with everything going on. Every time I close my eyes, I see those people... the auction... my research being twisted into something I never wanted.”
Jake moved closer, his heavy boots silent on the wooden floor. He squatted beside her, resting his forearms on his knees. “You did good today. You held your own.”
“Did I?” she asked, her voice tinged with doubt. “Because it feels like I’m barely holding on.”
Jake’s eyes locked onto hers, their intensity piercing but comforting. “You’re stronger than you think, Lyndsey. I see it every time you stand up to me, every time you refuse to back down. You’ve been thrown into a world you weren’t prepared for, but you’re still here. That says a hell of a lot.”
Her breath hitched, his words hitting deeper than she expected. She looked away, her gaze falling to the floor. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m in over my head.”
“You’re not,” Jake said firmly. His hand reached out, hesitating for just a moment before brushing against hers. The touch was light but electrifying, and Lyndsey’s heart skipped a beat. “You just need to trust yourself.”
Lyndsey turned back to him, her eyes meeting his. The space between them felt impossibly small. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not,” he admitted, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. “But you’re not alone in this.”
Before he could say more, the door to the bedroom where Reyna was sleeping opened and Reyna walked in. “I must still be on London time. Got some good sleep, and then my eyes opened wide, and my brain kicked in. I’ll go out on the porch to stretch, and then I’ll send what we have to Cerberus. Why don’t you two try and get some rest.”
She waved off Jake’s objections and walked out onto the porch.
The only sound in the room was the fire crackling softly. Lyndsey felt the world outside fade away, leaving just the two of them in the quiet. Her pulse quickened as Jake’s hand moved, his fingers brushing against hers again, lingering this time.
“Jake...” she began, her voice faltering.
He shifted closer, his eyes searching hers. “Tell me to stop.”
She didn’t. Instead, she leaned in, her breath mingling with his as the space between them disappeared. Their lips met, the kiss tentative at first, then deepening. Jake’s hand cupped her cheek, his touch firm and steady, grounding her even as her world tilted.
Lyndsey’s hands found their way to his shoulders, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as she pulled him closer. The kiss was a release, a culmination of the fear, the frustration, and the undeniable pull they’d both been fighting.
Jake pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against hers, his breath ragged. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Lyndsey whispered, her voice firm and certain,
The feel of his hands on her waist, the heat of his body so close to hers—it was overwhelming and perfect all at once. Jake kissed her again, his lips exploring hers with a tenderness that belied his usual hardened exterior.
He stood up, scooped her up and carried her to her bedroom, his movements deliberate but unhurried, as though savoring every moment. Lyndsey’s heart raced as he closed the door behind them, shutting out the world and leaving just the two of them in the dim light.
Setting her on her feet, Jake’s hands slid up her sides, his touch igniting a fire that spread through her entire body. He took his time, his movements reverent as though memorizing every curve. Lyndsey responded in kind, her hands exploring the hard planes of his chest and shoulders, marveling at the strength and gentleness intertwined in this man.
Jake didn’t hesitate to get them both naked before lowering Lyndsey onto the mattress and beginning to tease her with his tongue. He licked and nibbled her mouth, her chin, her throat and her breasts. He took one of her breasts in his mouth and suckled it while his hand glided down her body, following the curves. He covered her mound with his hand before sliding it between her thighs to explore her wetness and slip a finger inside her, moving it with the deftness of a master. In and out. In and out until Lyndsey’s hips began to lift as if begging for more.
He obliged, slowly and confidently kissing his way down her body until his head was between her legs. He speared her with his tongue, drawing out her honey as he began to devour her like a ravenous beast. Lyndsey jutted her hips up to meet his mouth.
Jake licked her up and down before gliding his long fingers over her wet labia, dipping them inside her pussy as he continued licking her and flicking his tongue against her clit—all the while making her squirm.
Lyndsey closed her eyes to block out the world and focus on the sensations rolling through her body. Jake pushed his fingers deeper as he suckled her clit, thrusting them in and out.
As masterfully as he’d started, he stopped and slid his rock-hard body up against hers until his lips were on her breasts. He flicked his tongue around her erect nipples, sending tingling sensations throughout her body, making her skin goose pimple. He kissed her neck and grabbed her right ear, nipping the lobe as he began to push the broad head of his cock past her opening. Slowly he withdrew before pushing forward again—this time all the way to his balls.
He began pumping in and out of her, gradually increasing the speed and strength of his thrusts until they were both breathing heavily and in synchronized rhythm.
He grasped her thighs, lifting them up and behind his back. “Lock your ankles.”
Lyndsey obliged and Jake started slowly to grind against her as he increased how hard and how fast he fucked her. Lyndsey gasped.
Jake chuckled before beginning to pound into her, forcing her into a powerful orgasm than triggered his own. His body twisted and turned, before he finally settled as he filled her with his cum. He took her nipple in his mouth and bit down gently.
Lyndsey hissed as her pussy spasmed around his cock. “I could get used to this.”
He smiled and leaned his head against hers. “I don’t want you to get used to this. I want you to beg for it.”
“I could learn to beg,” she said with a grin.
As sleep claimed her, Lyndsey couldn’t help but think that whatever tomorrow brought, they’d face it together. And for the first time in a long time, that felt like enough.
Lyndsey wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep when she was awakened by Jake’s hand covering her mouth and Reyna crouching beside them as she whispered, “We’ve got company.”