Turningfully toward me, his massive, scarred hands lift to frame my jaw.Afaint tremor vibrates through his palms as he tilts my head upward, dragging his piercing gray gaze over my skin to inspect for damage.
"Didhe hurt you?"
"No,"Iwhisper. "Youdidn't give him the chance."
Roughthumbs drag over the sharp arches of my cheekbones, anchoring me to the present. "Thatbastard was right about one thing.Thetip originated from inside the network.Themirror signal is escalating."
"Thecartel knows we’re close to untangling the ghost ledger,"Ireply, my brain finally matching the frantic pace of my pulse. "Tippingthe feds was a tactical move to rip me out of theVault."
"Ifthey want you exposed out here,"Eliasrumbles, that deep, possessive growl vibrating through my jaw, "it’s because they can’t touch you inside the server room.We’regoing back in."
"Wait,"Iinterject, pulling an inch backward. "Elias, a hard warrant means the steel door won't stop them.Abreaching team will bring a cutting torch.Hidingisn't a viable long-term strategy."
"Wearen't hiding," he counters immediately. "We’reworking.Twelvehours remain on the clock,Mia.Canyou finish the final reconstruction to mathematically prove your innocence?"
Thesprawling spreadsheets flash behind my eyes, filled with the chaotic patterns of the mirror signal.
"Yes,"Iconfirm. "ButtheVault’sserver isn't enough.Thehard copies from the last three fiscal years are mandatory.Theboxes stored in the off-site archive."
"That’sright in the middle of town,"Austin, ourVP, points out from his spot over the maps. "Storedat theOutfitters.Legitimatebusiness records."
"Thenwe drive into town,"Eliasdecides instantly.
"Highrisk,"Shanewarns, racking the shotgun again. "Townis wide open ground."
"Stayinghere turns us into sitting ducks for the next judicial signature,"Eliasargues, his voice dropping into that lethal, calculated register. "Movingallows us to control the variables.We’retaking the armored truck.Chase, you’re behind the wheel.I’mstaying in the back, pinned toMiauntil we hit theOutfittersand secure the hard copies."
Loganconsiders the tactical advantage, his gaze tracking the wayElias’shand has tightened possessively on my waist.
"Smart,"Loganagrees. "Butyou’re not going with just one driver.Oliver, you’re on rear guard in theSUV.IftheCostacartel shows their faces on the main road, you run interference so the truck can get through."
Eliasnods as he pulls me flush against his side. "Chase, get the truck running.Oliver, stay on our six.I’mnot letting a single soul near her until this audit is closed."
"Done,"Logansays, his expression grim. "Getmoving before theFedsfind a judge willing to play ball."
Elias’sjaw works, a muscle jumping in his cheek, before he finally dips his head in a tight gesture of agreement.Thecold, detached numbers man remains buried beneath a volatile, dangerously reactive surface.
"Fine,"Eliasgrunts.
Shiftinghis piercing gaze back to me, he asks the final question: "Youready to run,Mia?"
Mygaze drifts to the heavy door, then to the bullet holes decorating the drywall.Finally,Istare directly up at the massive, tattooed treasurer who just threatened to turn a federal agent into a dental record for reaching for my arm.
"I’mnot running,"Ideclare, lacing my fingers through his. "I’mauditing.Let’sgo hunt down my numbers."
Aslow, dark smirk crawls acrossElias'sface.Thesharp, dangerous curve of his mouth resembles a freshly honed blade.
"That’smy girl," he murmurs.
"Christieat the diner just texted.Shespotted a blackSUVcirclingMainStreetthis morning,"Austinadds, scrolling through his glowing phone screen. "Smalltown gossip moves faster than police scanners.Ifthe cartel is in town, we’ll see them coming."
"Good,"Eliasresponds, his voice dripping with lethal anticipation. "Letthe bastards watch.Iwant them to see us."
Hisgrip tightens over my hand.Therough calluses pressing into my skin deliver an uncompromising promise of extreme violence and absolute safety.
"Let’sgo balance the books."
8
