He lets go of my hand and reaches for his earpiece when it crackles.
“Talk, Ghost,” Shadow says.
A deep voice comes through. “Havoc’s updated. Viper’s checking routes out of Black Pines. Sin’s digging into shell names on the villa. Ace is on standby if this turns into an extraction.”
I go still.
Names. Men. Movement.
All because of me?
Shadow’s gaze cuts to mine, warning me to stay quiet.
I do, but barely.
“What about Salazar?” Shadow asks.
“Agitated,” Ghost says. “He’s got men asking around Swoon Peaks for the diner girl.”
My mouth goes dry.
Shadow’s face changes.
Not much.
Enough.
“The diner?” he asks.
“Pie & Pickle. Her apartment too, according to a contact near Landon’s crew. They checked both and came up empty. For now.”
Her.
Me.
The room tilts a little.
I grab the edge of the table.
Shadow steps closer before I even sway. His hand lands at my lower back, steady and warm.
I should move away.
I don’t.
“Tell Havoc she’s under Saints protection,” Shadow says.
My head jerks up.
Ghost goes quiet in his ear.
Shadow doesn’t look away from me. “You heard me.”
“I heard something about protection, yes. I did not hear myself agreeing to become a group project for leather-wearing strangers.”
His eyes harden. “You became involved when Landon said your name on that terrace.”
“I was already involved. Brianna is my sister.”
