Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

LYNDSEY

The following morning, Lyndsey sat at the small table in the safe room, her laptop open and casting a soft glow over her determined expression. Papers and photos pinned to a corkboard were connected by a chaotic tangle of red strings, all leading back to a grainy surveillance photo of Lang in the center. His cold smirk felt like a taunt, a reminder of everything at stake.

Her fingers hesitated on the keyboard as Jake’s voice broke the silence. “This isn’t enough,” he muttered, his frustration palpable as he paced the room. His eyes fixed on the board as though willing it to give up answers. “Even if we leak this to the media, Lang’s too well-connected. He’ll bury it before it even makes a ripple.”

Lyndsey glanced up, her eyes sharp despite the weariness settling in her bones. “Then we need more. Something so damning it can’t be spun or ignored.”

Jake stopped pacing and turned to her, his jaw tight. “And where exactly do we find that? Lang’s been covering his tracks for years. Even with Marcus’s intel, it’s like trying to pin down a shadow.”

Her frown deepened as she stared at the data on her screen. “What about the auction bidders? If we can link Lang to them—show he’s facilitating deals with terrorists and hostile nations—it could force people to take notice.”

He leaned over the table, his presence heavy but grounding. “That’s risky. Those people won’t just sit back and let us expose them. If we dig into that network, it won’t just be Lang after you—it’ll be all of them.”

“I know,” she said softly, her voice steady even as her hands trembled. “But what choice do we have? Lang’s reach is deeper than I could have ever imagined because of Marcus, which is going to point a finger indirectly at me.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do. Few industries like something that smells like a scandal more than academia. If we don’t act now, more people will suffer. And that will be my fault.”

Jake’s expression softened, his frustration giving way to concern. He reached out, his hand brushing hers lightly. “This isn’t your fault, Lyndsey. You didn’t create this mess.”

“But I created the technology,” she said, her voice cracking as she met his gaze. “I built it. I shared what I was working on with Marcus, who made it possible for Lang to weaponize. He took something that was supposed to save lives and corrupted it. How can I not feel responsible?”

He crouched beside her, his eyes locking onto hers. “Because responsibility doesn’t mean carrying the burden of the world alone. This is bigger than you, bigger than any of us. And that’s why you’re not in this alone. I’m with you. Every step of the way.”

Her throat tightened as his words settled over her, a strange mix of reassurance and vulnerability. “I don’t know how you do it,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Stay so calm when everything feels like it’s falling apart.”

Jake gave a faint smile. “I’m not as calm as I look,” he said, his voice low and rough. “I’ve just learned to fake it when I have to.”

Lyndsey let out a shaky laugh, the sound breaking some of the tension. “Well, you’re good at it.”

He straightened, his hand lingering on hers before he stepped back. “We’ll use Marcus’s intel to find a weak link in Lang’s operation. Someone we can turn or exploit. That’s our best shot.”

She nodded, her conviction solidifying. “I’ll start cross-referencing the bidders with Marcus’s data. If there’s a connection, I’ll find it.”

A while later, Lyndsey glanced up from her laptop, her fingers pausing mid-keystroke as Jake’s quiet voice broke through the steady hum of the machine. He seemed quiet, almost hesitant—a stark contrast to the unwavering confidence he usually exuded.

“What is it?” she asked, her brows knitting in mild concern as she turned to face him.

Jake stood a few feet away, his arms crossed, his eyes shadowed with something she couldn’t quite place. The silence stretched, thick and charged, until she almost spoke again. But then he exhaled, the stiffness in his shoulders softening slightly.

“I’m not good at this,” he admitted, his voice rough. “At talking about my feelings.”

Lyndsey blinked, surprised by his vulnerability. Jake wasn’t the type to let his guard down—ever. The fact that he was doing it now sent her pulse skittering. “You don’t have to say anything if you’re not ready,” she offered, her tone gentle.

He shook his head, stepping closer, his movements deliberate. “I need to say it, Lyndsey. Because I’ve been carrying it around, and it’s... it’s starting to get in the way.”

Her breath hitched, her heart thudding in her chest. “Get in the way of what?”

He hesitated again, his gaze locked on hers. There was a rawness in his eyes, a quiet intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. “Of everything. The op, my focus... I worry that I’ll miss something because I’m thinking about things I shouldn’t be.”

“Like what?” she asked.

“Like how it feels when your pussy clamps down on my cock, how your nipple puckers when I blow softly on it, and yet there’s no way I’d let anyone else protect you.”

Lyndsey’s lips parted, but no words came out. The gravity of what he wasn’t saying hung in the air between them, electric and undeniable.

“I admire you,” he continued, his voice soft but steady. “Your strength, your determination. You’re fighting like hell when most people would’ve given up. And it scares the shit out of me because I... I don’t want to lose you.”

Her chest tightened, the raw honesty in his words cutting through her defenses like a blade. “Jake,” she began, her voice trembling, “last night you said you felt things for me you’d never felt before. Well, ditto. I didn’t wait this long to find you only to get a couple of nights. You’re not going to lose me. I promise you.”

He took another step closer, his presence grounding and overwhelming all at once. “You can’t promise that. Not with Lang still out there.”

“I know I’m in danger, but I have you to protect me. And nobody is going to do a better job of that than you.” Emotion surged through her like a tidal wave. She reached out, her fingers brushing his arm, needing the connection, the reassurance. “I know that a part of me wants you out of this. The idea that you might get hurt because of me…”

He stepped closer and his thumb brushed away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. “You’re not going to lose me,” he said firmly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Her breath hitched, and she leaned into his touch, her eyes searching his. “Even with everything that’s happening? Even with Lang and his network breathing down our necks?”

“Especially with Lang,” he said, his voice steady and sure. “Because no matter what happens, I won’t let him take you from me. Not now. Not ever.”

The air between them thickened, the room growing smaller as their gazes locked. Jake didn’t know who moved first, but suddenly her lips were on his, soft and desperate. He pulled her closer, his hand sliding to the small of her back as the kiss deepened.

In that moment, the world fell away. There was no Lang, no danger, no looming threat. Just them. Just the connection that had been building since this nightmare began.

When they finally broke apart, Lyndsey rested her forehead against his, her breathing ragged. “We’re in over our heads, aren’t we?” she whispered.

Jake chuckled softly, his hands still holding her close. “No, but we’re going to need all hands on deck. It’s one of the reasons King wanted to bring us in.”

The safe room was buzzing with activity as Lyndsey sat at the long table, her laptop open in front of her. Papers and files were spread out in organized chaos, a testament to the urgency of the situation. Jake stood nearby, his eyes sharp as he skimmed over a mission report Reyna had handed him. Despite the room’s secure walls, the tension felt suffocating.

“We’re running out of time,” Jake said, his voice low and edged with frustration. He set the papers down and crossed his arms, his gaze flicking to Lyndsey. “This meeting has to go well. If we can’t get the FBI on board, we’re not going to have enough resources to bring Lang down.”

Lyndsey glanced up, her eyes meeting his. “Do you trust this guy?” she asked. “Your friend?”

Jake hesitated for a beat before nodding. “I do. Daniels and I go way back. He’s one of the good ones. If anyone can help us, it’s him.”

Reyna smirked from her spot leaning against the wall. “Let’s just hope your definition of ‘good’ hasn’t gotten rusty, Sands. Lang’s not exactly the kind of guy you take down with good intentions and a handshake.”

Jake shot her a look but didn’t argue. “Daniels knows what’s at stake. He’s risking a lot even meeting with us.”

Lyndsey’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, her gaze darting between Jake and Reyna. “Do we have a plan for if this goes sideways?”

Jake’s lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. “Of course. But let’s hope we don’t need it.”

The energy in the room crackled like static electricity as they finalized their preparations. When the door to the conference room opened, the sound seemed deafening. Lyndsey’s breath hitched as a tall man stepped inside, his presence commanding. His broad shoulders and close-cropped hair gave him an unmistakable military air, but it was the way his gaze softened when it landed on Jake that spoke volumes. Lyndsey recognized him as the man who had tied Reyna in his ropes the night before.

“Jake,” the man said, his voice rich and warm despite the edge of caution in his tone. “It’s been a long time since we’ve worked together.”

Jake crossed the room in three strides, his hand extended. “Too long, Daniels.”

The two men clasped hands in a firm grip that lingered before Daniels clapped Jake on the shoulder. “Still playing hero, I see.”

“Someone’s got to,” Jake replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Lyndsey watched the exchange with a mix of curiosity and unease. There was history here—layers of camaraderie and loss that hung between them.

Daniels’s sharp gaze swept the room, landing on her. “And you must be Dr. Marrin,” he said, his tone respectful. “The woman at the center of all this.”

She rose to her feet, extending a hand. “Lyndsey. And yes, unfortunately, that would be me.”

He shook her hand firmly. “I’ve read your file. Impressive work. Dr. Marrin.”

“We’re hoping the FBI can help us ensure Lang doesn’t twist it into something it was never meant to be,” said Reyna in a tone that belied what Lyndsey had seen pass between them when Daniels had bound her in his ropes.

Lyndsey nodded, feeling a flicker of something hopeful ignite in her chest. “That’s the plan.”

As they settled into the conference room, Daniels spread out a set of blueprints and surveillance photos across the table. “Lang’s network is sprawling, but it’s not invincible. He’s careful, but he’s also arrogant. That’s where we hit him.”

Reyna leaned over the table, studying the maps with a critical eye. “So, what’s the weak spot?”

Daniels tapped one of the photos—a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. “This. It’s one of Lang’s main distribution hubs. If we can intercept a shipment, it’ll lead us to his higher-ups and the money trail.”

Jake frowned, his jaw tightening. “That’s easier said than done. Lang’s going to have eyes on this place twenty-four-seven.”

“True,” Daniels admitted. “But we’ve got a window coming up. A shipment’s scheduled to move out tomorrow night. If we can hit it hard and fast, we might just have a chance.”

Lyndsey watched the two men strategize, their conversation a seamless blend of military precision and years of shared experience. Despite everything, there was a camaraderie between them that gave her hope. Jake wasn’t just a lone wolf—he was part of something bigger. And now, so was she.

As the conversation continued, Daniels glanced at her. “Dr. Marrin, we’ll need your expertise to make a positive identification of anything that is proprietary to your research. That way we can tie it to Lang directly. Can you handle that?”

Lyndsey nodded. “Absolutely.”

“No,” started Jake.

“Lyndsey’s proven herself,” said Reyna. “Besides if she can identify it when we intercept it, it’ll save us time—time that might be critical.”

Lyndsey shot her a grateful smile.

“Good,” Daniels said, his gaze lingering on Reyna before shifting back to Jake. “You’ve got a hell of a team here, Sands. Let’s make this count.”

The meeting ended with a clear plan, but the stress and strain in the air remained. As Daniels left to make his own preparations, Lyndsey stayed behind, her fingers flying over her keyboard as she sifted through the data. She might not be an expert code breaker or computer analyst, but she had surprised herself with how easily she had adapted her research skills to the tasks needed to protect that research.

Jake moved to stand beside her, his presence steadying. “You okay?”

She glanced up, her expression thoughtful. “I think so. Daniels seems... capable. And trustworthy. He’s with the FBI and is a member of the club?”

“He is,” Jake said, his voice firm. “You’ll find a lot of upstanding men and women play here. Club Southside allows them a safe place to explore their needs and sexuality without fear of blackmail or reprisal. We’ve been through a lot together. If anyone can help us, it’s him.”

Lyndsey hesitated, her gaze dropping to the glowing screen. “This feels big. Bigger than I ever imagined. And I can’t shake the feeling that I’m dragging everyone into danger because of my work.”

Jake knelt beside her, his eyes locking onto hers. “You’re not dragging us into anything. This is bigger than you, Lyndsey. Bigger than all of us. But that’s why we’re here. To make sure Lang doesn’t win.”

Her chest tightened at the intensity in his gaze, the impact of his words. “I just... I don’t want anyone to lose anyone because of me.”

“Don’t worry. They won’t win,” Jake said firmly. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

The sense of danger was closing in like a storm. Whatever was coming, she was sure it wasn’t over yet.