Rivals Redemption

chapter 12 : Just Us

Rowan Cortez

The moment Aiden took the flash drive from my hand, the air in the safe house shifted. It was as if the room itself held its breath, knowing we had crossed a line from which there was no return. The weight of our mission pressed heavily on my chest, but my mind kept drifting back to Tina. Her presence was a steady flame amid the chaos, igniting something within me.

I could see the adrenaline still coursing through her, the excitement of our escape reflecting in her eyes. There was a determination in her expression that matched my own, and I felt a surge of pride knowing we were in this together. With everything we had faced, our bond had grown stronger, but there was something more simmering beneath the surface. Something we’d both felt but had never fully acknowledged until now.

As Aiden began outlining the next steps, I caught Tina’s eye. She smiled at me, and in that instant, the noise of the room faded into the background. I wanted to reach out and pull her close, to remind her that we were not just fighting for justice anymore; we were fighting for us.

“Let’s regroup in the back,” Aiden suggested, snapping me out of my thoughts. I followed him and the rest of the team into a narrow hallway, the weight of our next move hanging in the air. Each step felt heavy with unspoken words and shared glances. When we reached the back room, I could feel the tension building, the uncharted territory between Tina and me demanding to be acknowledged.

Aiden started laying out the plan, but I couldn’t focus on anything but Tina. I leaned closer to her, whispering, “Can we talk? Just for a minute?”

She nodded, and we slipped out into a dimly lit storage room. The space was cluttered with boxes and old equipment, but it felt like a sanctuary away from the chaos of our mission. As the door clicked shut behind us, I felt the weight of our shared experience settle around us.

“I can’t stop thinking about what you said back there,” I confessed, my voice low. “About being all in.”

Her gaze met mine, and the vulnerability in her eyes hit me like a punch to the gut. “I meant it, Rowan. I’m not going anywhere.”

Her words sent a surge of warmth through me, grounding me in the present. I stepped closer, needing to bridge the gap between us. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

Tina searched my eyes, and I could feel the tension between us crackle in the air. It was as if everything we’d fought for had brought us to this very moment. I leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that spoke volumes. It was a promise, an acknowledgment of the connection we’d forged amidst the chaos.

We pulled apart, our breaths mingling as reality crashed back in. “Rowan…” she murmured, and the way she said my name sent shivers down my spine.

“I want you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Not just for this fight, but for everything. For us.”

Her cheeks flushed, and I felt a wave of possessiveness wash over me. I kissed her again, pouring all my feelings into that moment. It was urgent, fervent, as if we both knew the world outside was waiting for us, yet we couldn’t pull away from each other.

I could feel her fingers tracing the hem of my shirt, and a shiver ran through me. “Tina,” I breathed, pulling back just enough to see her face. “Are you sure?”

“More than ever,” she replied, determination blazing in her eyes.

With newfound confidence, I swept her into my arms, pressing her against the wall. The rough texture of the bricks contrasted sharply with the softness of her body, and I felt a fire ignite within me. I kissed her again, lost in the moment, forgetting about the dangers that lurked beyond the safe house.

But reality crept in, reminding me of our mission. I pulled back slightly, locking my gaze with hers. “Whatever happens out there,” I whispered, “I need you to know that you’re everything to me.”

Her eyes softened, and I saw that fierce determination reflected back at me. “And you’re everything to me,” she replied, her voice steady.

With one last kiss, I felt a wave of promise wash over us. “Let’s finish this,” I said, taking her hand and squeezing it. “Together.”

Stepping back into the world outside, the renewed sense of purpose filled my chest. We weren’t just fighting for a cause anymore; we were fighting for each other. That knowledge made everything feel more significant, more personal.

But as we prepared to dive back into the fray, a troubling thought weighed on me. I had spent so long thinking my father, Reginald Cortez, was part of the problem, that he had a hand in the corrupt allegations against him. But now, with everything I had learned, it was clear: he was a victim, caught in a web of deceit spun by someone I had once considered a friend.

Kevin Jonas, the man who had once shared laughs and memories with both my father and Victor, was the true mastermind behind this chaos. He had played us all, whispering falsehoods and orchestrating a plot to ruin my father’s company. Guilt washed over me for ever doubting Reginald, for letting suspicion cloud my judgment. He had trusted me to see the truth, and I had failed him.

“Rowan!” Aiden’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. I shook off the weight of my guilt for now; there would be time for that later. We had a mission to complete, and I was determined to protect Tina, my father, and everything we held dear.

As we moved toward the next step in our plan, I could feel Tina beside me, her presence a steady reminder of what we were fighting for. I glanced at her, determination blazing in her eyes. Together, we would bring Kevin Jonas to justice, and in doing so, we would not only save my father’s legacy but also forge a future for ourselves.

We had the evidence, and we had each other. This was personal, and I wouldn’t let anything tear us apart. Not now. Not ever.