Page 91 of Knight

"Getting credentials won't be simple." Bishop moves to examine the patrol routes more closely. "Place like this probably has biometric verification."

"Already working on bypassing their security protocols." I pull up another screen of data. "But the actual infiltration is going to need both of you."

"How long do we have?" Rook's question cuts straight to the core of the situation.

"Their systems show increasing activity levels. Whatever they're planning is close to completion. I think the virus that targeted me, and then Horizon Tech is just the start."

The sound of a door opening makes us all turn. Eva appears in the doorway, wearing one of my shirts, and freezes at the sight of my brothers. The fabric reaches mid-thigh, making her look both vulnerable and undeniably mine. The possessive thought catches me off guard, and I push it away.

Ignoring the curious looks from both of my brothers, I gesture her over to join us. "We found something."

She moves to study the screens, her body leaning toward mine, fitting against me like she belongs there.

"What am I looking at?"

"A facility outside the city." I highlight the security perimeter. "Based on access logs and network traffic, I think this might be where your brother is."

Her sharp intake of breath draws Bishop's attention. "Her brother?"

"Michael Porter. An intern at Horizon Tech who disappeared nine weeks ago." I bring up his file. "His credentials were used to access their systems after hours. The coding style in those logs matches parts of the virus."

"He can’t be there willingly. They must be forcing him, right?" Eva's voice carries equal parts hope and fear. "That's why he stopped answering my calls? Why he got so distant before ..."

"Maybe. And if they have him, they might have Victor too."

Rook straightens. "You think your mentor is being held there?"

"The virus carries his signature style, but there are elements that feel forced. Like someone else is directing the work." I bring up more data, more than aware they have no idea what they’re looking at. It looks like gibberish to them. To me, it looks like art. "Plus, the warnings he left were designed to lead us here."

"So, this is what? A rescue mission, or a sabotage operation?" Bishop's focus sharpens.

“Why not both?” I reply, my tone dry. "You think we’ve got the luxury of picking one?"

"Right. But to pull it off, we need to know exactly what we're dealing with." His eyes go back to the screen. "How sure are you about the guard rotations?”

"Data's fresh from their systems. Three eight-hour shifts, twenty minutes overlap during changeover." I scroll through more security logs. "But that’s just the obvious part. Based on power consumption and supply deliveries, there's more personnel inside."

Eva straightens beside me. "When do we go in?"

"Wedon't." Rook's emphasis on the word makes her stiffen. "This kind of operation requires?—"

"Her brother might be in there." The words emerge with more force than intended. "She’s not some bystander. She’s invested, and she’s not sitting this out."

Rook raises an eyebrow. Bishop looks like he’s about to argue, but I cut him off before he can.

“We don’t have time for bullshit arguments. Eva’s in. End of discussion.”

CHAPTER FIFTY

Evangeline

Maybe it'sthe presence of his brothers, or because less than twelve hours ago I was in his bed. Or maybe it was because the last time I met Bishop, I was handcuffed to a radiator, but Knight’s workspace feels different with the three men in it. Either way, the room buzzes with new energy as the brothers discuss infiltration strategies.

I study them while they work, noting the similarities between them. There are obvious ones—same dark hair, dark eyes, similar heights. They all share the same sharp jawline, though Bishop's is softened by stubble while Rook's is clean-shaven. Knight falls somewhere between them, like he forgot to shave this morning. Given everything that happened last night, he probably did.

The thought brings heat to my cheeks, and I force myself to focus on something else. Like how they move—each wave of a hand, or shift of a foot speaks of years of training. Even the way they stand suggests readiness.

Bishop is leaning against Knight's desk, but his posture holds none of the casual relaxation the position implies. Rook, on the other hand, is pacing the length of the room while examining building schematics.

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