Page 56 of The Fixer
“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” Jake said, breaking the silence.
Reyna didn’t look at him, her voice clipped. “Just thinking.”
Jake grinned, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. “Thinking about the op or something else?”
She finally turned to him, her expression wary. “What else would I be thinking about?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Jake said, his tone casual but laced with amusement. “Maybe about a certain FBI agent who’s been circling you like a wolf waiting for you to throw him a bone.”
Reyna rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. “If you’re trying to start something, Sands, you’re going to regret it.”
Jake chuckled, enjoying the rare opportunity to get under her skin. “I’m just saying, Daniels isn’t exactly subtle. Guy looks at you like you’re the answer to all his problems.”
Reyna’s glare was sharp enough to cut steel. “More like all his problems rolled into one. We aren’t exactly copasetic. And what’s your point?”
“My point,” Jake said, his grin widening, “is that maybe you should cut him some slack. The guy’s solid. And let’s be honest, you could do worse.”
Reyna scoffed, her fingers drumming against the butt of her rifle. “Why should I settle for something or someone who isn’t just the worst I could do. I don’t have time for distractions. Especially not now.”
Jake shook his head, his voice dropping to a teasing drawl. “Come on, Reyna. You’re always telling me to loosen up. Maybe you should take your own advice.”
Reyna’s eyes narrowed, her tone dripping with venom. “Mind your own damn business, Sands.”
Jake’s grin didn’t falter. “Touchy, aren’t we? You know, for someone who loves dishing it out, you’re not so great at taking it.”
“Keep pushing, and I’ll show you exactly how much I can take,” Reyna shot back, her voice low and dangerous. “And just how much I can dish out.”
Jake held up his hands momentarily in mock surrender. “All right, all right. I’ll back off. For now.”
The silence that followed was heavy with a charged atmosphere, but Jake couldn’t help the satisfaction that curled in his chest. Reyna was a force to be reckoned with, but even she had her blind spots. He only hoped she’d figure it out before it was too late.
After a moment, Reyna let out a heavy sigh, her tone softening slightly. “You’re one to talk, you know. Acting like you’re not completely tied up over Lyndsey.”
Jake’s smile faded, and he focused on the road ahead. “What about Lyndsey?”
Reyna arched a brow, her lips quirking into a sly smile. “Oh, don’t play dumb. You’ve got it bad, Jake. Everyone sees it.”
Jake didn’t answer right away, his jaw tightening as he maneuvered the SUV through a sharp turn. “She’s... different.”
Reyna chuckled softly. “That’s an understatement. But different is not necessarily a bad thing, Jake. Just don’t screw it up.”
Jake’s grip on the wheel tightened, but he didn’t reply. He didn’t need Reyna to tell him how much was at stake—not just with Lyndsey, but with everything. And as they approached the industrial site, he could feel the strain of all of it settling heavily on his shoulders. This was no time for distractions, but he couldn’t deny the way Lyndsey had burrowed under his skin, making him want something he hadn’t dared hope for in years.
“Focus on the op,” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to Reyna.
Reyna glanced at him, her sharp eyes glinting with something that might have been approval. “Don’t worry, Jake. I’ve got your back.”
Jake nodded, his focus sharpening as the site came into view. Whatever was waiting for them, he knew one thing for certain: they were in this together, whether they liked it or not.
Once inside the warehouse, Jake crouched behind a stack of crates, his Glock drawn and his senses on high alert. The airinside Lang’s hidden facility was filled with the scent of oil and sweat, the faint hum of high-tech equipment buzzing in his ears. Gunfire echoed through the cavernous space, interspersed with shouted commands and the sharp crack of Reyna’s rifle.
“Clear on the left!” Reyna’s voice rang out over the comms. She moved with precision, her rifle barking as she picked off a guard attempting to flank them. Jake didn’t bother looking back; he trusted her to handle it.
“Lyndsey, talk to me,” Jake barked into his earpiece. His voice was calm, but unease coiled in his gut.
Back at Cerberus headquarters, Lyndsey’s voice came through steady, though tinged with worry. “You’re almost at the server room. Daniels is leading the other team to the storage area. Once you’re inside, I’ll guide you through accessing the files.”
“Copy that,” Jake replied, signaling to Reyna. They moved as a unit, their steps silent despite the chaos unfolding around them.