Page 17 of The Fixer
“Well, I’m not your submissive, and we both know I’m right.”
Jake exhaled sharply; Lyndsey knew that he knew she was right. Finally, he nodded. “Fine. But we do this my way. Full team support, tight security, and you stay glued to my side. No arguments.”
“No arguments,” she agreed, her voice softening.
Their eyes met, the heat between them simmering just beneath the surface. Whatever this was that seemed to be brewing between them, it was gathering momentum like an avalanche tumbling down a mountain.
“Lyndsey,” Jake said quietly, his voice almost a warning.
“What?” she whispered, her breath hitching.
He shook his head, stepping back and breaking the spell. “You’d better turn in…”
“You don’t get to send me to bed like a five-year-old.”
“I do if you want to go to your lab. Tomorrow, we go hunting for a mole, and I need you at your best.”
Lyndsey watched him walk away, feeling a mixture of anticipation and dread. The danger outside was real, but whatever it was that was growing between them was something else entirely—and she wasn’t sure which was more terrifying.
The cabin’s stillness was unnerving, a quiet so heavy it felt like it might shatter under the weight of their conversation. Lyndsey sat on the edge of the sofa, her elbows resting on her knees as she tried to process Jake’s words.
“You’re sure?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jake stood by the window, his dark silhouette outlined by the faint glow of the moon. “I wouldn’t have insisted if I wasn’t.”
Jake snorted, and she grinned at him. Returning to the lab was dangerous. Lyndsey knew that. But the promise of answers—of narrowing down the list of suspects—was too compelling to ignore.
“It has to be done,” she said, her fingers twisting together. “I worry that going back might be walking into a trap, but this is the only way to find who’s behind this.”
Jake turned to face her, his gaze steady. “We’ll do it on my terms. Covert entry, minimal exposure, and a quick extraction. You’ll stay in the safe zone.”
“I’m not staying in some safe zone,” Lyndsey argued, standing abruptly. “You don’t know what to look for. I do.”
Jake’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded. “Fine. But you follow my lead. No exceptions.”
She exhaled shakily, the gravity of their plan settling over her. “Okay.”
Jake moved closer, his presence grounding. “Lyndsey, this isn’t just about retrieving data. We’re going to find out who betrayed you. But you need to prepare yourself.”
Her throat tightened. “You think it’s someone on my team?”
“I think it’s someone with access to your research,” Jake said, his voice even but firm. “And that list isn’t long.”
Lyndsey dropped her gaze, her mind racing through the names and faces of her colleagues. “I’ve worked with most of them for years. They’re brilliant, dedicated. I can’t imagine any of them...”
“Someone did,” Jake interrupted gently. “And until we know who, we can’t rule anyone out.”
Lyndsey nodded, forcing herself to focus. The betrayal cut deep, but the truth was undeniable.
Hours later, they moved silently through the darkened halls of the research facility. The lab felt eerie without the hum of activity Lyndsey was used to. Jake led the way, his Glock drawn, his movements fluid and precise. Lyndsey followed close behind, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Stay close,” Jake murmured over his shoulder. His voice was low, but it carried the authority she had come to rely on.
They reached her office without incident, and Jake immediately began scanning the room, his sharp eyes catching every detail. “Clear,” he said finally, motioning for her to enter.
Lyndsey slipped past him, her focus narrowing as she powered up her computer. The familiar glow of the monitor was a small comfort, but it didn’t alleviate the feelings of dread and apprehension she was experiencing.
“Anything out of place?” Jake asked, standing guard by the door.