“I can’t stop seeing it,” she whispered. “His eyes. The blood spreading on the concrete.”
“I know.” He tightened his hold. “They’re not going to touch you. Ever.”
Hunter heldthe door as Brie stepped into Steel Protection for the first time. The open concept office space stretched before her. Desks with multiple monitors occupied the center area, tactical boards lined the wall to the right, displaying maps and suspect photos. A glass-walled conference room dominated the back corner, and filing cabinets and weapons lockers stood against the left wall.
Dominic Steel sat at a large desk near the tactical boards, and even from across the room, Brie could feel the alpha power rolling off him. She’d met Valeria’s mate multiple times at the farmers’ market and at the bakery. He looked up as they approached, his assessing gaze landing on her.
“Dom, we have some news,” Hunter said, his hand warm on her back.
“It’s good to see you, Brie.” Dom smiled at her and then turned his attention back to Hunter. “What’s your news?”
“Brie remembered something important about that morning at the warehouse.”
Hunter glanced at Brie, encouraging her to speak, but she nodded for him to continue. Her throat felt too tight.
“She remembered a smell at the murder scene. Sharp, chemical. Like cat piss mixed with ether.” Hunter’s jaw tightened. “That’s P2P. Phenyl-2-propanone. It’s the precursor chemical for meth production, specifically the method Brennan published papers on at Bright Institute.”
Understanding dawned in Dom’s eyes. “Brennan was there.”
“Or his product was. Either way, it connects him to the murder.” Hunter’s hands flexed at his sides. “I want to investigate the scene. See what else we can find.”
Dom leaned back in his chair. “The police searched the industrial district for three weeks. They never found the crime scene.”
The words hung heavily in the air, and Brie watched Hunter’s frustration build. No crime scene meant no evidence meant no trail.
“I could help,” Brie said quietly. Both men turned to her. “I could try to find it.” Her voice gained strength. “I was there. I saw it happen.”
“Absolutely not.” Hunter’s response was immediate, sharp enough to cut.
“I’m the only one who was there,” she pressed.
“You were traumatized. Lost. Fleeing for your life.” Each word came out clipped.
She met his eyes. “Yes. But I’d know it if I saw it.”
Dom watched them silently for a moment, then spoke. “She might be our only shot at finding it.”
Hunter started pacing. “You’re asking me to take my mate back to where she witnessed a murder.”
“I’m asking you to let her help us end the threat against her,” Dom said calmly.
The pacing stopped. Hunter stood perfectly still. Finally, his shoulders dropped slightly. He turned to her, and the intensity in his eyes made her breath catch.
“The second you want out, we leave. No questions, no arguments. You say the word, and I get you out of there.”
“I understand.”
Dom was already shifting into tactical mode, his whole demeanor changing. “Then we go in force. Full pack.” He pulled out his phone. “Conference room. Now.”
Within minutes, the pack had assembled. Axel leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. Siren’s sharp eyes focused on Dom. Ryder bounced slightly on his feet, energy barely contained. Blaze entered last with Valeria, his scarred hands gentle as he helped her into a chair despite her eight-months-pregnant waddle.
“Situation update,” Dom began. “Brie witnessed a cartel execution four weeks ago but was unable to provide the exact location to law enforcement. The police never found the crime scene.” He paused, letting that sink in. “She’s volunteered to help us locate it.”
“About time we got a real lead,” Axel said.
Dom pulled up a map of the industrial district on his tablet, projecting it onto the wall. “We go in with two vehicles. Hunter, Brie, and I in the lead truck. Axel, Siren and Ryder in vehicle two.”
“What’s our ROE?” Siren asked.
