The silence between them had weight.
It wasn't hostile, nor was it cold.
But it was there. Lingering. Unspoken.
Evelyn felt it in every glance, every accidental brush of their hands, every moment they spent in the same space without acknowledging what had almost happened.
And the worst part?
She had no idea how to fix it.
---
A New Plan
The next morning, Evelyn found herself at the dining table, going through the information they had gathered on Daniel Kade.
Ethan leaned over the counter, sipping his coffee. "So, are we just going to ignore the elephant in the room, or...?"
Evelyn didn't look up. "What elephant?"
Ethan scoffed. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that you and Theo have been acting weird since I walked in on your almost moment."
She stiffened. "There was no moment."
"Sure," Ethan said, dragging out the word. "If that helps you sleep at night."
Before she could respond, Theo walked in.
His eyes briefly met hers before he turned his attention to Ethan. "We need to move."
Ethan smirked. "Aw, come on, Theo. No 'good morning'? No small talk?"
Theo ignored him. "Kade has already started pulling strings. We don't have time to waste."
Evelyn nodded, glad for the distraction. "What's the plan?"
Theo placed a file on the table. "We need to cut off his resources before he gains more power."
Ethan raised a brow. "And how do we do that?"
Theo's gaze was sharp. "By taking out his suppliers. One by one."
Evelyn exhaled. "So we're going on the offensive."
Theo nodded. "It's the only way."
She closed the file, looking up at him. "Then let's do it."
---
The Tension That Won't Fade
A few hours later, they were in the car, heading to their first target.
Evelyn sat in the passenger seat while Theo drove. Ethan was in the back, scrolling through his phone.
And despite the pressing mission, the silence between her and Theo still felt heavy.
At one point, she turned to him. "Are we ever going to talk about it?"
He didn't take his eyes off the road. "Talk about what?"
Evelyn clenched her jaw. "Theo—"
"We don't have time for distractions." His voice was calm, but there was something underneath it.
She stared at him, frustration bubbling in her chest. "You think this is a distraction?"
His grip tightened on the steering wheel. "I think we need to stay focused."
Ethan let out a low whistle. "Wow. This is painful to watch."
"Ethan," Theo warned.
"No, no," Ethan said, leaning forward. "You two are acting like two teenagers who just realized they have feelings and don't know what to do with them."
Evelyn crossed her arms. "That's not what this is."
"Really?" Ethan grinned. "Then why are you both acting so weird?"
Neither of them answered.
Ethan sighed dramatically. "Okay, fine. Keep being stubborn. But just so you know—awkward tension isn't a good look on either of you."
Theo's jaw clenched, but he didn't respond.
Evelyn just looked out the window, willing herself to focus on the mission.
But deep down, she knew Ethan was right.
This wasn't going away.
---
The Mission
They arrived at an old warehouse on the outskirts of town. The first of Kade's suppliers was supposed to be here.
Theo turned to Evelyn. "We go in quietly. No unnecessary risks."
She nodded. "Got it."
Ethan stretched. "And if things get messy?"
Theo shot him a look. "Then we adapt."
The three of them moved in sync, entering through the back entrance.
Inside, the warehouse was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of metal and gasoline.
Evelyn spotted a few guards near the loading docks. "How do you want to handle this?" she whispered.
Theo pulled out a knife. "Silent takedown."
Ethan grinned. "My favorite."
One by one, they eliminated the guards, moving deeper inside.
Everything was going smoothly—until they reached the main storage room.
And walked right into an ambush.
---
Caught in the Crossfire
The moment the doors shut behind them, they knew they were trapped.
Armed men surrounded them, guns raised.
A voice echoed through the room.
"Well, well. Look who finally decided to show up."
A man stepped forward, tall and lean, with piercing eyes and a cocky smirk.
Daniel Kade.
Theo's expression remained cold. "You were expecting us."
Kade chuckled. "Of course. Did you really think I wouldn't see this coming?"
Evelyn's fingers twitched toward her weapon.
Kade noticed and tsked. "Now, now. Let's not do anything rash."
Theo's stance remained firm. "What do you want, Kade?"
Kade grinned. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe just a little conversation."
Ethan muttered under his breath, "Yeah, because this totally looks like a friendly chat."
Kade's eyes gleamed. "You see, I have a proposition. One that might just save your lives."
Theo's expression didn't waver. "We're not interested."
Kade smirked. "Oh, I think you will be."
He snapped his fingers.
The doors opened again—
And a familiar figure was dragged inside.
Evelyn's blood ran cold.
It was Liam .
His friend
Beaten. Tied up. Barely conscious.
Theo's entire body tensed. "Let him go."
Kade tilted his head. "Now, why would I do that?"
Evelyn's hands curled into fists. "What do you want?"
Kade's smirk widened. "Simple. I want you to work for me."
The room fell silent.
Theo's voice was like ice. "Not happening."
Kade chuckled. "Think carefully. Because if you say no... well," he looked at Liam, "I can't guarantee he'll make it out of here alive."
Evelyn's stomach twisted.
They were outnumbered. Outgunned.
And now, Liam's life was in their hands.
She glanced at Theo.
His jaw was clenched, his fists tight at his sides.
For the first time in a long time, she saw something flicker in his eyes.
Something dangerously close to hesitation.
And that terrified her.
End of Chapter 32