~LEXI~
The next day, I met with my team at our usual rendezvous point, Café Tranquilo, a quiet, unassuming place nestled just a few blocks from the Bureau. It was the kind of café that blended into the background, with its soft lighting and cozy booths—perfect for confidential discussions. Mark, Jenna, and Carlos were already there, each lost in their own thoughts, unaware of the storm brewing just beneath the surface.
"Lexi!" Mark called out, his broad frame leaning forward as he waved me over. He was always the first to notice when someone walked in. His dark hair was a little tousled today, and his blue eyes twinkled with the usual easy confidence. "You're late. Everything okay?"
"Yeah," I replied, forcing a smile. "Just… a rough night."
Jenna frowned, her sharp green eyes narrowing as she studied me. She was smaller than Mark, with short, fiery red hair and a determination in her gaze that often made her seem older than she was. She crossed her arms over her fitted jacket, her concern evident. "You look exhausted, Lexi. Are you sure you're alright?"
I nodded quickly, pushing the weight of the last few days to the back of my mind. "I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."
Carlos, always the quiet observer, raised an eyebrow from across the table. He had a lean, wiry build and dark, curly hair that he usually kept tucked behind his ears. His brown eyes flicked over me carefully, analyzing. "You sure? You seem… off."
I forced a light laugh, brushing off their concern. "I'm fine, really. Just tired."
But even as I spoke, I felt the unease stirring in my chest—the ever-present shadow of Alex's presence, following me like a predator. I had to stay in control. I couldn't let them see how much it was eating away at me.
"So, what's the plan for today?" I asked, trying to shift the focus away from myself.
Mark leaned forward, his serious expression setting in as he lowered his voice. "We've been getting some intel on Esposito's operations. Nothing concrete yet, but it's a start."
My heart skipped a beat. Esposito. The name alone sent a wave of tension through me, and I struggled to keep my face neutral. "What… what kind of intel?"
Jenna shrugged, her fingers tapping the edge of her coffee cup. "Mostly rumors, really. But there's talk of a new shipment coming in next week. If we can track it, we might be able to shut him down for good."
I swallowed hard, my thoughts racing. If they pursued this lead, Alex would find out—and the consequences could be dire.
"Are we sure it's credible?" I asked, keeping my voice as calm as possible.
Carlos gave a small nod, his tone steady. "As credible as it gets. This could be our chance to finally bring him down."
I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress the gnawing fear. This wasn't just about catching a criminal anymore. This was about survival—my survival, and theirs.
"Maybe we should be careful," I said, trying to sound casual. "Esposito's not someone to underestimate."
Mark let out a low laugh, giving my shoulder a friendly tap. His grin was wide, the kind that came easily to him. "Come on, Lexi. Since when did you get so cautious? This is what we do."
I managed a smile, though it felt strained. They had no idea what they were walking into. They didn't know the full extent of the danger they were in. I couldn't afford to tell them. I couldn't afford to break the silence, not now.
The meeting wrapped up, and we all stood to leave the café. As we made our way to the door, I pulled Jenna aside, hoping to give her a bit more warning.
"Hey… can I talk to you for a sec?"
She frowned, her expression softening with concern. "Of course. What's up?"
I hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. "Be careful with this Esposito lead, okay? I just… I have a bad feeling about it."
Jenna studied me for a moment, her green eyes searching my face. Then she offered a reassuring smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Don't worry, Lexi. We're always careful. You taught us that."
I nodded, but the knot in my stomach remained. As I watched her walk away, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just set my team up for disaster.
Later that night, as I sat alone in my apartment, trying to push the dread aside, my phone buzzed, dragging my attention away from the thoughts spinning in my mind. I glanced at the screen, my stomach sinking when I saw the message from an unknown number. My pulse quickened, and I knew exactly who it was.
"You're getting sloppy, Lexi. Don't forget who you're dealing with."
My fingers froze over the phone, and for a moment, I could hardly breathe. I couldn't escape the sense of danger hanging over me, like a shadow just waiting to strike. Alex was watching me, closer than I'd realized. And now, he knew how far I was willing to go to protect my team.
As I was about to set the phone down, another message popped up—this one more chilling than the first.
"Be at the pier tomorrow. Midnight. Come alone… or your team pays the price."
My hands shook as I read the words, fear coiling in my stomach. There was no mistake. Alex had made his move, and now, he was testing me. He wanted to see how far I'd go, what I was willing to sacrifice.
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to steady my breath. Tomorrow night. The pier. It was already set in stone. I had no choice but to go.
I had no intention of telling anyone. Not yet. They couldn't know. If they did, they would be in even greater danger. I had to face Alex alone—just as I had before. But the fear that gnawed at me now felt different. This time, I wasn't just afraid for myself. I was afraid for my team.