Back in Action
Theo Bennett was many things—intelligent, calculating, annoyingly smug—but today, he was something new.
Restless.
Evelyn could see it in the way his fingers tapped against the steering wheel, in the way his jaw clenched every time she shifted in her seat beside him.
"You know, you don't have to glare at the road like it personally offended you," she teased, arms crossed as she looked at him.
Theo didn't glance her way. "I'm not glaring."
"You are."
"I'm focused."
Evelyn smirked. "You always focus this hard on driving?"
Theo exhaled sharply through his nose. "I'm making sure you don't almost die again, Evelyn."
Her smirk faltered.
That was fair.
Things had been different since she got shot. Theo had stayed by her side, hovering like a silent shadow, always there. But today—today felt like a shift.
Today, they were back.
Back in action.
Even if Theo was acting like a grumpy, overprotective watchdog.
Evelyn leaned back against her seat, stretching. "So, what's the plan?"
Theo finally glanced at her, eyes flickering with something unreadable. "You sit in the car and let me handle it."
Evelyn laughed.
Loudly.
"Yeah, that's not happening."
Theo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Evelyn—"
"I got shot. I didn't lose my brain function." She shot him a look. "We do this together, Bennett."
His fingers tightened around the wheel.
For a moment, she thought he might argue.
But then—
He smirked. That smirk.
The one that was too confident, too cocky, too Theo.
"Fine," he said, leaning back in his seat. "Just don't slow me down."
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Please. Try to keep up, Bennett."
Theo chuckled, shaking his head. "I really should've left you at the hospital."
"But you didn't." She grinned. "Because you'd be bored without me."
His smirk widened. "And here I thought almost dying would humble you."
Evelyn shot him a wink. "You wish."
---
The Warehouse – 30 Minutes Later
The plan was simple:
Get in. Get information. Get out.
Of course, with them, nothing was ever simple.
Theo crouched beside Evelyn behind a stack of crates, eyes locked on the guards patrolling the warehouse entrance.
"Five men," he murmured. "Two at the entrance, one on the side, two on the roof."
Evelyn studied them. "We can take them."
Theo gave her a look. "You're still recovering."
She scoffed. "Oh, I'm sorry, did my bullet wound take away my ability to fight?"
Theo sighed. "Just stay behind me."
Evelyn smirked. "Not a chance."
Before he could stop her, she moved.
Swift, precise—taking out the guard on the side with a sharp elbow to the throat.
Theo watched, unimpressed but definitely impressed.
"Show off," he muttered, following after her.
They moved together, seamless.
Like they had been doing this forever.
Theo took out one of the men at the entrance, while Evelyn handled the other, sending him crashing into the crates with a well-placed kick.
The two rooftop guards jumped down—but before they could react, Theo grabbed a metal pipe, swinging it up with a sharp, controlled force—knocking one clean out.
Evelyn handled the last one, twisting his arm behind his back and slamming him against a wall.
A beat of silence.
Then—
Theo smirked. "Not bad."
Evelyn wiped her hands on her jeans. "I'm always this good."
Theo rolled his eyes. "Let's move."
---
Inside the Warehouse
The air smelled like dust and gasoline.
Theo scanned the dimly lit interior, sharp eyes taking in the stacks of documents, crates of weapons, and—
His jaw tensed.
Kade's files.
Evelyn followed his gaze. "Bingo."
They hurried toward the metal desk, rifling through the papers.
Evelyn picked up a file, eyes narrowing. "Kade's been busy."
Theo's lips pressed into a thin line. "Too busy."
They were so focused, neither of them noticed the footsteps approaching—
Until it was too late.
Gun readyy.
A deep voice behind them.
"Well, well," a familiar voice drawled. "Look who decided to drop by."
Evelyn froze.
She knew that voice.
Kade.
Theo turned first, calm but lethal. "You have bad timing."
Kade smirked, gun aimed at them. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing."
Evelyn sighed, tilting her head. "Do you ever shut up?"
Kade chuckled, stepping closer. "And here I thought getting shot would make you a little nicer."
Evelyn smirked. "Nope. Still hate you."
Theo's eyes flickered toward her. "Evelyn."
She met his gaze.
They didn't need words.
They just moved.
Evelyn ducked left. Theo lunged right.
A single second.
That was all they needed.
Theo grabbed Kade's wrist, twisting it hard—the gun clattered to the ground.
Evelyn moved fast, kicking Kade in the chest, sending him staggering backward.
Theo was on him instantly, pinning him to the wall.
"Talk," Theo growled.
Kade chuckled, blood trailing from his lip. "I'd rather die."
Theo smirked. Cold. Calculated. Dangerous..
"Oh, don't worry," he murmured, leaning in. "You just might."
Evelyn grinned.
They were back.
And this time—they weren't playing nice.
End of Chapter 36