NATALIA

ess, a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. Mi

ked, my voice tinged with skepticism

e on this one. The guy's rock-solid. He's got insider info. Ho

ichael, but something about the situation felt off. Moretti's men weren't known

ut," I conceded, deciding

l had already assembled a small, covert team of officers, without the chief's knowled

int. Michael and the rest of the team were concealed nearby, out of sight. We watched th

teering wheel, scanning the darkness for any signs of movement. Just as I was

car seat, the tension in

ackled over the ea

ched for my fire

replied. A small pause before he conti

ss and parked right in front of the warehouse, with a couple of

t my eyes fixed on the war

outside, making sure to stick to the shadows. Michael and th

el's hushed voice

ening on my gun, even t

s I approached the entrance. Faint voices emanated fr

warehouse. The interior was brightly lit, and I spotted the armed men, their backs turned to

ed, my hand tightening

shou

g out, cuttin

d, rushing towar

sprang into action, my feet propelling me towards the

?" I inquired, ke

ane's men

ha

ael taking cover behind stacked crates, h

f the men square in the shoulder. A shout erupted to my left, whe

set up, and anger

the g

unning down his face was barking orders, clutching a gun. Two other men

tructed Michael a

had to stop them; otherwise, our mission would be in vain. Kee

aight?" the burly man yelled. He tu

hots echoed, the loud noise reverberating in my ears. I gro

l's voice sounded

spreading across my skin. Ignoring the agony, I forced myself into a standing position and peered out fr

, just as Michael and the r

on as they emerged, and I cou

e filled with fury. Exhaustion was

ly. I was frustrated with the situation and even more so with myself for not bein

its contents spilled out. I stepped forw

sand. I scoffed, throwing it to a

ipped my shoulder, cursin

the hospital," Michae

be fine." I said, raising m

. ''That was reckless of you. But I guess I'm to

s turned. Giving a small nod to Michael, I took a step forward, My gun was raised and ready for anything. The door creaked a

den in the shadows. It led me to a staircase that descended into

Na

omeone is d

he voices were louder now, and

.is

.kn

tly. There was a brief pause before a loud crash followed by the sound of something breaking. I tur

the darkness. The sound of shuffling could be heard in front

e low and steady. The shuffling stopped, a

this time raising my voice. I moved forwar

warned once more

familiar, and I could feel my heart pounding against my ch

ed, and I could see him standing t

my gun. Killian slowly turned around, and I could see that he

ere?" I re-asked the

ed, taking a

tal

lian. You said you had

what it l

e working

rply. I saw the slig

oor. "Killian?" I inquired, stepping closer to him, keeping my gun traine

hi

s right there, in front of him,

aid, ignoring his

nd I gently pulled back his sleeve, r

just a

one?" I whipped around, looking around

ur gun.'' His voice was calm, but I c

uestioned, not taki

es

hospital.'' I put the safety on my gun an

take me ho

didn't he want to go to the h

warmth radiating from his body. His scent surrounded me

nd I could feel my breath hitch. I sta

Let's go ho

smile tugged at the

over my shoulders, c

han

s in my stomach w

As we headed for the exit, we heard footsteps. Kil

hat

firm. I wanted to protes

d Killian. To my surprise, there was a woman, stan

d, her eyes going wide at the sight of K

d. "Lillian, what a

. And then I saw the police arriving." Lillian trailed off, turnin

. Ca

out, suddenly f

Ms . Natalia. Mr . Caine's car is waiting

ady looking at me. "Don't worry Li

e asked, concern e

es

curt nod, before she turned and walked away. W

you get a new secretary?'' Last I k

in on his face. "Why,

u wish." Although a pa

outh to say something else

d I will be

job

a failur

We'll get th

et we

an, giving him a quick

o Killian.