Jordan brought up the rear—tall, solid muscle, dark curls shadowing sharp blue eyes.
Ace strode to the center, presence looming like a wall. “We’ve got the grounds locked down,” he said evenly. “Perimeter secure, estate swept. Nothing moves without Pegasus knowing it.”
Jacob’s gaze flicked to the photo still lying on the desk, then to Titus. “So, this is him.”
Titus smirked through blood on his teeth.
Ace’s steel-blue eyes swept the room once more before settling on Dave. No test, no challenge—just recognition. A soldier acknowledging his commander.
Ace gave a short nod, clipped and sure. “Perimeter’s yours, sir. Pegasus is locked in tight.”
Owen and Jordan drifted wider, fanning out with the silent efficiency of wolves circling a wounded animal.
Stone felt the shift in the room like a storm front—Viper’s heat, Walt bristling at Titus’s side, Ace’s presence locking the space down tighter than steel bars.
Dave didn’t flinch. “Ace, you and your team hold the perimeter.”
“I’ll help,” Winter shoved from his spot against the wall.
Ace nodded. And just like that, Pegasus swept out of the room and folded seamlessly into the command structure.
The room collectively turned to Dave, every man waiting for the next move.
Before Titus could speak, the door opened once again.
“God damned revolving door,” Walt snarled, earning a scowl from Titus.
Black and Micah slipped in with water dripping from their jackets. They moved to Law and Sage’s side like shadows drawn to a fight.
Viper leaned in, voice a low growl at Titus. “Aren’t you worried about losing your man? Snake’s been slithering through our lines for months.”
Titus chuckled, bitter and hoarse. “You don’t even see it, do you?”
“See what?” Viper straightened, eyes glaring.
Titus’s gaze shifted from Viper to Dave. “Franklin isn’t working for me. He thinks he’s clever, hiding his tracks. Truth is, he’s serving Tatum. My brother’s got him on a leash. Franklin believes he’s fooling me, but I’ve known for a long time.”
Stone’s cool blue stare didn’t move. “And you let him keep running?”
“Yes, until I figure out how to use him to get to Tatum,” Titus said simply.
All eyes turned back to Dave.
“What was your play, storming my beach?” Dave asked Titus.
He’d bait him first—see what the man had up his sleeve.
“I planned to get Franklin’s laptop and phone and crack them to reach Tatum,” Titus said. He glanced at Dave. “But I need one of your tech guys to get into the devices.”
“Why not get Franklin and his fucking shit and bring them here?” Viper rasped.
Dave held up one hand, and Viper gnashed his teeth but closed his mouth.
“I would have, but I didn’t know if you would help me,” Titus admitted, gazing at Dave, and then frowned. “What wasyourplan?”
“To get to Franklin to get to you. Or as you say…your brother,” Dave said.
“Are we talking a setup here?” Micah piped up before Dave could answer. “Black and I are really good at that kind of thing.”
