Code of Shadows

Chapter 17 - Unlikely Allies

The streets of Sydney pulsed with life, the constant hum of traffic and chatter a stark contrast to the tension simmering beneath the surface of our mission. My senses were sharp, honed by years of fieldwork, but I couldn't shake the feeling that we were stepping into a carefully laid trap. We had a lead—Nyah Nordoff-Hall, an ex-thief with a history, and a particularly dangerous one at that. She was Sean Ambrose's former lover, and Ethan believed she was our best shot at getting close to him.

Trusting someone so closely tied to our enemy felt like playing with fire. I kept my skepticism to myself, but it simmered under the surface, ready to boil over. It didn't help that Ethan seemed almost too invested in her. There was a personal connection, a history that made me uneasy. Trust was a luxury in our line of work, and I wasn't willing to hand it out freely.

We tracked Nyah down to a high-end charity gala, her presence an effortless blend of elegance and mystery. In the sea of opulent gowns and sharp tuxedos, she stood out, a striking figure in a sleek black dress that clung to her curves. She moved through the crowd with the ease of someone who knew exactly how much attention she could command, and how to use it to her advantage.

Ethan approached her, his charm dialed up to full. He slipped into her orbit with a practiced ease, his smile disarming, his voice low as they exchanged words I couldn't hear. From a distance, it looked casual, but I knew Ethan too well. His posture was tense, every muscle coiled, ready to react if needed. They spoke in hushed tones, their familiarity apparent. My stomach tightened. There was more than just history there; there was something deeper, something that made me question how much Ethan was truly thinking with his head.

Ethan brought Nyah over to me, his demeanor professional, but I caught the flicker of something in his eyes—something protective. "Nyah's going to help us get close to Ambrose," he explained, his tone even as he introduced us. He held my gaze, silently urging me to accept this alliance, to trust his judgment.

I crossed my arms, my eyes narrowing slightly as I studied Nyah. She was confident, used to being in control. Her eyes met mine, and I saw the defiance there, the challenge. "I hope she's worth the risk," I said bluntly, not bothering to hide my skepticism. This woman could be the key to our mission, or she could be the one to unravel everything. Trust was a currency I couldn't afford to spend carelessly, especially not on someone who could be playing both sides.

Nyah smirked, her gaze unwavering. "I'm the best chance you've got," she retorted, her voice smooth as silk. She was used to dealing with men, to manipulating situations to her advantage. But I wasn't just another player in her game. I was here to win, and I wasn't about to let her get in the way.

The tension between us was palpable, a silent challenge hanging in the air. Ethan watched us, his expression giving nothing away, but I knew he was aware of the undercurrents. We needed her, and personal feelings had to be put aside. The mission came first. I nodded, forcing myself to accept the uneasy truce. "Fine. Just don't get in my way."

We moved quickly, slipping into the night, our pace steady, our eyes scanning for threats. Ethan kept close to Nyah as we navigated the crowded streets, heading towards Ambrose's known location. Every step was calculated, every movement planned. We thought we had everything under control, that we were leading the game. But in this line of work, plans had a way of unraveling when you least expected it.

As we rounded a corner, the ambush was waiting. Ambrose's men appeared out of nowhere, their movements swift and precise. They swarmed us, guns drawn, eyes cold. I reached for my weapon, but Ethan's hand shot out, stopping me. "We can't risk a shootout here," he said, his voice low, urgent. The streets were crowded, civilians everywhere. A firefight would turn this into a massacre.

I clenched my jaw, the frustration boiling over. We were surrounded, outmaneuvered. Ambrose's men grabbed Nyah, pulling her into a waiting car before we could react. I watched, helpless, as the car sped away, Nyah's fate now in Ambrose's hands. The advantage we thought we had was gone, and just like that, the balance of power shifted.

"Damn it!" I hissed, turning to Ethan. His face was a mask of controlled anger, his eyes hard. We had been outplayed, and the realization stung. He took a deep breath, forcing calm. "We'll get her back," he said, his voice steady, but I could hear the edge of desperation. Nyah was more than just an asset to him, and that made things complicated.

"We need to regroup," I said, my mind racing. "Come up with a new plan. Ambrose has Nyah, and that puts us at a disadvantage. But this isn't over." I wouldn't let it be. I wouldn't let Ambrose win. The game had just gotten more dangerous, and I was ready to play.

As we slipped back into the shadows, the city alive around us, I knew the next move was crucial. Ambrose had the upper hand, but we had the determination. We would find Nyah, stop Ambrose, and get to Chimera first. The game was on, and I wasn't backing down. Failure wasn't an option, and the clock was ticking faster than ever.