His eyes flicker. “Good. Because this is the part where trust keeps you alive.”
I nod, heartbeat pounding.
Sin stands, already shifting into mode. He crosses the room, starts pulling on clothes with quick efficiency. Shirt. Pants. Belt. Holster. The sight of him gearing up does something to me. It’s a strange mix of fear and excitement.
This is real.
This is happening.
I throw the blanket back and get up too, suddenly hyper-aware I’m wearing his shirt and nothing else.
Sin’s gaze drags over me for half a second, dark and heated, then he looks away like he’s forcing himself to remember the mission.
I swallow, heat creeping into my cheeks.
“Get dressed,” he says, voice rougher than it should be.
“I was going to,” I mutter.
“Something you can run in,” he adds.
I nod and head for my bag, hands shaking slightly as I pull out jeans and sneakers. My mind is racing with images of Randy’sface, my office, the newsroom, the story draft I left behind. I want to walk in and slam the truth on his desk.
But Sin is right. If Randy is cornered, he’ll lash out. He’s not a cartoon villain. He’s a man under pressure who made a choice. Men like that do dangerous things when they’re exposed. I lace my shoes, take a breath, and look up at Sin. He’s watching me, expression unreadable, but his eyes are sharp and protective.
“You hate this,” I say quietly.
He doesn’t deny it. “Yes.”
“Then why are you doing it?”
Sin’s gaze holds mine, and for a moment the room feels too quiet. “Because you won’t stop,” he says.
I blink. “That’s not?—”
“And because you’re right about one thing,” he cuts in.
I wait.
He steps closer, lowering his voice. “There might be something at your office that helps Cal’s team close this fast. Evidence. A file. A device. Something your boss kept close.”
My pulse kicks. “So you think it’s worth the risk?”
“I think you’re going to go whether I agree or not,” he says bluntly. “So I’d rather be the one controlling the risk.”
My chest warms. “That’s… kind of sweet in a terrifying way.”
“Don’t call it sweet,” he mutters.
I smile, quick and nervous. “Okay. Tactical protectiveness. Very manly.”
Sin’s mouth tightens. “You ready?”
I nod, then hesitate. “If we find something… do I get to talk to him?”
Sin studies me, then gives a single controlled nod. “If it’s safe. If we can do it without putting you in the crosshairs.”
Relief hits hard. “Thank you.”
