Chasing Shadows

Chapter Seventy: Explosive Encounters and Teasing Banter

The base buzzed with activity as Ethan and Jonah sat in the lounge, the large TV screen casting a muted glow across the room. News reports and surveillance footage streamed across the screen, showing an explosion at one of the downtown banks. Ethan's heart hammered in his chest as he watched the flames and chaos unfold on the monitor.

Zane was there. I know it.

It didn't take a genius to guess. The way the explosion had been timed perfectly to disable security systems and disrupt communications-it had Zane's signature written all over it. But for now, Ethan had to sit tight. Asher had rushed out as soon as the first reports came in, barking orders and mobilizing half the team to respond.

Ethan couldn't help but feel a pang of worry for Asher, but he also knew his partner could handle himself. He'd been doing this a long time, after all. Still, it was hard to focus on anything else when he knew Zane was at the center of it.

"Man, you look like you're about to burst," Jonah commented, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet up on the coffee table. He stretched his arms lazily, giving Ethan a sidelong glance. "Relax a bit, will you? Asher's got this."

Ethan forced a smile, shaking his head. "I know, I know. It's just... complicated."

Jonah grinned knowingly. "Everything's complicated with you and Zane, isn't it?"

Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're not wrong. But can we not talk about this right now?"

Jonah's grin widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, no. Now's the perfect time to talk about it. So, tell me-how was it?"

Ethan blinked, thrown off by the sudden change in topic. "How was what?"

"The kiss, obviously!" Jonah rolled his eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You kissed him, right?"

Ethan's face flushed, and he stammered, "I-uh-yeah, we... kissed."

Jonah's smirk turned devilish. "So? How was it? Was it, like, fireworks going off? Or more like... I don't know... a brush fire?"

Ethan groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Why do you have to ask stuff like that?"

"Because I'm your best friend," Jonah declared, puffing out his chest. "And best friends always want to know the juicy details."

"God, you're relentless," Ethan muttered, glancing at Jonah through his fingers. "Fine. It was... nice. Until I kind of ruined it by laughing."

Jonah blinked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "You laughed during your first kiss with Zane?"

Ethan chuckled sheepishly, leaning back in his seat. "Yeah, well... He tasted like a cigarette. I couldn't help it."

Jonah burst out laughing, slapping his knee. "That's amazing! No wonder he's still got it bad for you. Nobody else would laugh in his face like that."

"Shut up," Ethan muttered, but he was smiling despite himself. "What about you, huh? Any kisses lately?"

"Me? Nah, I'm a free agent," Jonah replied breezily, winking at Ethan. "But we're not talking about me right now. We're talking about you and your villain boyfriend."

"God, Jonah, stop," Ethan groaned, though he was laughing now. "You're such a pain."

"Hey, just trying to lighten the mood," Jonah said, grinning. "Besides, I need to know what kind of kisser Zane is. For science."

"Science, my ass," Ethan muttered, shaking his head. "You're just nosy."

"Guilty as charged," Jonah agreed with a laugh. He leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "So, how was it, though? Besides the cigarette taste, I mean."