Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

LYNDSEY

T he atmosphere in the Cerberus headquarters war room was tense but crackling with purpose. Jake stood at the head of the table, he scanned the team as they finalized preparations for the next move. Spread across the table were dossiers, encrypted drives, and the decrypted files Lyndsey had painstakingly verified as her stolen research. The room was filled with a feeling that was a mix of anticipation and uncertainty, but Jake felt a faint glimmer of hope—they were finally gaining ground.

Reyna leaned against the wall, her arms crossed as she watched the activity. Daniels sat nearby, his phone resting on the table as he exchanged messages with his people at the FBI. Lyndsey was seated next to Jake, her laptop open and casting a faint blue glow over her face. She’d spent the last few hours crafting the narrative that would accompany the release of her research, balancing transparency with enough ambiguity to shield Cerberus and the FBI’s deeper involvement.

“All right,” Jake said, his voice cutting through the hum of quiet conversation. “We’ve got the files. We’ve got the proof. Now, we just need to make sure it hits the right people.”

Reyna pushed off the wall, her tone dry. “And by ‘right people,’ you mean someone who won’t sell us out the second Lang waves a wad of cash in their face.”

Daniels chuckled, his voice low but amused. “That’s why we’re not going to your typical media outlets. We’ve got a list of trusted contacts who’ve worked with us before. People who value the truth more than their paychecks.”

Lyndsey looked up, her eyes flicking between them. “And you’re sure they’ll handle this the way we need them to? No sensationalism, no risking innocent lives by exposing too much?”

“They’ll handle it,” Jake said firmly. “They’re vetted. Reyna and Daniels will make sure of it.”

Reyna rolled her eyes. “Glad to know you’ve got such faith in us, Jake.”

Jake shot her a wry smile. “You’ve never let me down before. Try not to start now.”

Lyndsey’s lips twitched into a faint smile, despite the stiffness in her shoulders. “What happens after this goes public?”

Jake exchanged a glance with Daniels, whose expression hardened. “Lang won’t have anywhere to hide,” Daniels said. “Public outcry will put pressure on his allies, force them to cut ties or risk exposure themselves. It’ll weaken his position, make him desperate.”

“Desperate means dangerous,” Reyna added, her tone grim. “He’s not the type to go down without a fight.”

Jake’s hand rested lightly on Lyndsey’s shoulder, grounding her. “That’s why we stay vigilant. This isn’t over yet, but this move puts us in a stronger position.”

Lyndsey nodded, “Let’s do it.”

Several hours later, Jake pulled into a favorite Cerberus watering hole that was a cozy dive just outside the city, its dim lighting and worn leather booths offering a sense of inconspicuousness and comfort. They’d talked about going into the club’s lounge, but the club was open for business and Jake, Reyna, and Daniels all wanted a level of anonymity that they wouldn’t be recognized and interrupted. The team spent the better part of the day coordinating with media contacts, and now, with the evidence in trusted hands, they needed to take time to regroup and breathe.

Jake slid into a booth, motioning for Lyndsey to sit beside him. Daniels and Reyna followed, each carrying a freshly poured beer. The waitress took their order—burgers all around—and left them to their conversation.

Reyna took a long sip of her beer, then arched a brow at Jake. “So, Jake, what’s the deal? You’re actually letting yourself relax for once?”

Jake leaned back, his arm draped casually over the back of the booth. “Don’t get used to it,” he said dryly. “But even I know when to let off some steam.”

“About damn time,” Reyna muttered, though her tone was laced with amusement.

Daniels chuckled, his gaze flicking between Reyna and Jake. “You two ever stop bickering, or is this just your default setting?”

Reyna smiled, lifting her glass in a mock toast. “Keeps things interesting.”

Lyndsey watched the exchange with a faint smile, then turned her attention to Daniels. “So, Daniels, is it true you’re the one who kept Jake out of trouble back in the day?”

Daniels laughed, shaking his head. “Other way around, actually. Jake’s the reason I’m still here to tell the tale. Guy’s a pain in the ass, but he’s damn good at what he does.”

“Thanks for the glowing endorsement,” Jake said dryly, though there was a hint of warmth in his tone.

Reyna leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “Speaking of endorsements, Daniels, when are you going to stop dancing around the obvious and admit you’ve got a thing for me?”

Daniels nearly choked on his beer, his ears turning a faint shade of red. “Excuse me?”

Reyna’s grin was wicked. “You heard me. All those lingering looks, the convenient excuses to hang around Cerberus... you’re not exactly subtle.”

Jake’s laugh rumbled low in his chest, and he raised his glass in mock salute. “About time someone called him out.”

Daniels shot Jake a glare but recovered quickly, his tone dry. “And here I thought FBI agents were supposed to be the interrogators.”

“I’m a woman of many talents,” Reyna quipped, taking another sip of her beer.

Lyndsey couldn’t help but laugh, the stress of the past few days eased slightly. Jake’s hand brushed hers under the table, a subtle but grounding gesture that sent warmth coursing through her.

The waitress returned with their food, and for a while, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. But the undercurrent of danger remained, unspoken but ever-present. As they finished their meal, Jake leaned toward Lyndsey, his voice low.

“You doing okay?” he asked, his dark eyes searching hers.

She nodded, her smile faint but genuine. “Better, thanks to this.” She gestured to the group, the camaraderie that had formed despite the danger.

Jake’s lips curved into a small smile, and he squeezed her hand lightly. “Good. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, Lyndsey.”

Before she could respond, Jake’s phone buzzed on the table, cutting through the moment. He picked it up, his expression darkening as he read the message.

“What is it?” Lyndsey asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Jake glanced at her, then at the others. “Lang just made his next move.”

The table fell silent; whatever peace they’d found in this brief reprieve was gone, replaced by the cold reality of whatever lay ahead.

They finished their burgers, paid the bill, and headed back to Cerberus. The entire team was gathering in the war room. The monitors flickered with surveillance footage, their feeds displaying Lang’s associates scrambling in the wake of the public revelations. Lang himself had gone to ground, but the team knew it was only a matter of time before he struck back.

Jake leaned against the edge of the table, his arms crossed and his dark eyes fixed on the screen that showed Lang’s last known location. He could feel Lyndsey’s presence beside him, her quiet steadfastness a calming force despite the disorder swirling around them.

“Lang’s desperate,” Reyna said, her tone sharp as she scrolled through the latest intel on her tablet. “He’s cornered, which makes him even more dangerous. If he’s going to make a move, it’ll be soon.”

“He won’t go quietly,” Daniels added from across the table, his broad shoulders tense. “Men like him never do.”

Lyndsey’s eyes flicked to Jake. “What if he comes after the research again? Or worse… the people tied to it?”

Jake’s jaw tightened as he met her gaze. “Then we stop him before he gets the chance.”

Reyna’s eyes narrowed as an alert popped up on her screen. “Looks like we’ve got movement. A private jet registered to one of Lang’s shell companies just landed at a small airstrip outside the city.”

“He’s trying to make an escape,” Daniels said, straightening. “Or he’s setting a trap.”

Jake nodded, his mind already racing. “Either way, this is our chance. We hit him now, take him out of play for good.”

Lyndsey’s hand brushed his arm, grounding him. “Be careful, Jake. Lang’s not just dangerous—he’s cunning. Don’t underestimate him.”

Jake covered her hand with his, his touch lingering. “I won’t. And you… stay safe. No heroics.”

Lyndsey’s lips curved into a faint smile, though her worry was clear. “Just bring him down.”

The airstrip was a bleak stretch of tarmac surrounded by dense trees. The team moved with silent precision, their weapons at the ready. Jake led the way, his every sense on high alert as they approached the hangar where Lang’s jet was parked.

“Guards at the entrance,” Reyna whispered over the comms. “Three armed. I’ve got the one on the left.”

“I’ll take the right,” Daniels said.

Jake nodded. “I’ll handle the center. On my count. Three… two… one.”

The team moved as one, their shots precise and lethal. The guards dropped without a sound, and the team advanced on the hangar. Jake’s heart pounded as he pushed open the heavy metal door, the dimly lit interior revealing a group of Lang’s men unloading crates from the jet.

“They’re moving something,” Jake muttered into the comms. “Looks like tech.”

“My algorithms must have been downloaded in the hardware,” Lyndsey’s voice came through the earpiece, tight with anger. “Jake, if they get away with that…”

“They won’t,” Jake said firmly. “Reyna, Daniels, flank them. I’ll go straight in.”

The team sprang into action, their movements a blur of coordinated precision. Gunfire erupted, the sound deafening in the enclosed space. Jake’s Glock barked as he took down one of Lang’s men, his focus unwavering as he pushed forward.

In the chaos, a figure emerged from the shadows—Lang, his face twisted with fury and desperation. He held a gun, his aim fixed on Jake.

“You’ve been a thorn in my side for too long, Sands,” Lang snarled. “It’s time someone put you down.”

Jake didn’t hesitate. He dove behind a crate as Lang’s shot rang out, the bullet splintering the wood. “You’re running out of time, Lang,” Jake called, his voice steady. “Give it up.”

Lang’s laugh was sharp and bitter. “You think this ends here? Even if you take me down, there are others. You can’t stop what I’ve built.”

“What you’ve built is a house of cards,” Jake said, firing a shot that forced Lang to duck behind a support beam. “And it’s all coming down.”

As the firefight raged, Reyna’s voice cut through the comms. “Jake, we’ve got a problem. Reinforcements incoming. At least two SUVs.”

“We’re almost done here,” Jake replied. “Hold them off as long as you can.”

Daniels’ voice was grim but steady. “We’ve got this. Finish it.”

Jake’s gaze locked on Lang, who was retreating toward the jet. Jake surged forward, his movements swift and decisive. He tackled Lang, the two men crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

Lang fought like a cornered animal, his strikes wild but vicious. Jake’s training gave him the edge, and he pinned Lang with a knee to the chest, his Glock pressed against the man’s temple.

“It’s over,” Jake growled. “Call off your men.”

Lang’s lips twisted into a sneer. “You really think killing me will end this? You’re a fool, Sands.”

“Good thing I’m not the one making that call,” Jake said, slamming the butt of his gun against Lang’s temple, knocking him unconscious.

“Lang’s down,” Jake reported into the comms. “Secure the crates and prep for exfil.”

“Copy that,” Reyna replied, her voice taut with focus. “Reinforcements are here, but we’ve got them pinned. You better move fast.”

Jake hoisted Lang over his shoulder, his muscles burning with the effort, and made his way back to the team. The sound of gunfire echoed in the distance, but Jake’s focus was on the man in his grasp. Lang’s reign of terror was over, but the battle wasn’t won yet.

As the team regrouped outside the hangar, Lyndsey’s voice came through the comms, a mix of relief and urgency. “You did it. But you need to get out of there now. The SUVs are regrouping.”

Jake glanced at Reyna and Daniels, who nodded in unison. “Let’s move,” he said, his voice firm.

As they disappeared into the night, Jake was aware that Lang’s network might be shattered, but the fallout would be long and dangerous. It didn’t matter, the one thing he knew for certain: he’d do whatever it took to keep Lyndsey safe… even if it meant risking everything.