UNDERCOVER TO MY HEART

THE LOYALTY TEST

Xavier's heavy hand pressed flat against the outer fabric of the jacket, his sharp fingers tracing the metallic outline of the federal tracking beacon.

Take your hands off her, Xavier, Jack growled, stepping forward and shoving his broad shoulder hard into the cartel leader's chest.

Xavier stumbled back two paces, his dark eyes flaring with instant rage as his armed guards raised their assault rifles in unison.

You dare lay a hand on me in front of my own men? Xavier sneered, reaching for the gold-plated pistol tucked into his waistband.

Search me first if you are looking for a traitor, Jack spat, ripping off his heavy leather club vest with one fluid motion and throwing it directly at Xavier's chest. She was wearing my cut because of the cold on the mountain road. The items in those pockets belong to me.

Xavier caught the heavy leather vest, his eyes narrowing as he dug his fingers into the pockets. He pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes, a steel lighter, and a heavy brass pocket knife. He frowned, tossing the vest onto the dusty concrete floor between them.

You are playing a dangerous game, Jack, Xavier said, his voice dropping into a low threat. If I find out you are shielding this girl, I will bury you both under this warehouse.

She is clean, and so am I, Jack replied, his jaw tight as he stood tall without his leather armor. Focus on moving the trucks instead of chasing ghosts in the dark.

Xavier stared at Jack for three agonizing seconds before waving his hand dismissively at his armed guards. Clear the floor, Xavier ordered. Get the cargo prepped for the docks. I want every door locked until the transport rig arrives.

The crowd of bikers dispersed into the shadows of the warehouse, hauling heavy equipment toward the rear loading bay. I caught Jack's eye for a brief fraction of a second, offering a subtle nod of relief, but he looked away instantly, maintaining his cold public front.

I slipped away from the main floor while the guards were busy inspecting the truck engines, creeping down the dimly lit rear hallway toward the administrative offices. I needed to find the main shipping manifest to confirm the destination of the human trafficking victims before my federal strike team moved in.

I pushed open the door to the manager's office, sliding into the dark room. I began flipping through the paper files on the metal desk, my hands moving as fast as possible in the pale moonlight filtering through the dusty window.

Looking for these? a voice asked from the dark corner.

I spun around, drawing my concealed handgun in a fraction of a second, aiming it straight at the shadow. Vice President Marcus stepped out from the darkness, his hands raised casually at shoulder height.

Put the gun away, agent, Marcus said softly, his voice surprisingly calm. I am not going to yell for Xavier's guards.

You know who I am? I asked, keeping the front sight aligned with his chest.

I have been running this club for twenty years, Marcus said, leaning back against a metal filing cabinet. I know every face that belongs here, and I know when a federal agent is walking through my halls. But more importantly, I want this cartel nightmare over just as much as you do.

Why should I trust you? I demanded, my thumb resting heavy over the safety catch. You are second in command of a criminal gang.

The Iron Serpents built this town on custom bikes, legal mechanics work, and brotherhood, Marcus said, his eyes filled with deep regret. Xavier Knight bought off our former president three years ago and dragged us into human trafficking and illegal narcotics. If the cartel stays here, this club dies in a federal prison cell.

What are you proposing, Marcus? I asked, lowering the barrel of my weapon just an inch.

I will give you the digital access codes to the sealed shipping containers on the transport rig, Marcus offered, stepping closer and holding out a small black USB drive. You get your victims out alive, and you take Xavier Knight off the streets forever.

And what is your price? I asked, narrowing my eyes.

Leave the original garage operation out of the federal indictment, Marcus said firmly. The young kids working the mechanics shop had nothing to do with Xavier's cargo. Give them a chance to walk away clean.

I stared at the old biker, weighing his words in the heavy silence of the office. He was offering me the ultimate key to breaking the entire syndicate in exchange for protecting the innocent workers who were caught in the crossfire.

We have a deal, I said, taking the black drive from his hand.

Make sure Jack gets out alive too, Marcus added softly as I moved toward the doorway. He only joined Xavier's inner circle to find the man who ordered his father's execution. He is not a monster, Bella. He is just a man who ran out of good choices.

His words hit my chest like a physical blow. All this time, I had judged Jack as a cold criminal who had abandoned his life for power. But he was trapped in the exact same dark web I was fighting to destroy, risking his life every single day to protect the innocent and settle an old debt.

I stepped out of the office, sliding the USB drive into my boot lining, my mind spinning with a sudden wave of guilt and newfound determination. I needed to find Jack and tell him the strike team was ready.

I turned the corner into the narrow storage corridor, heading toward the main floor.

A sharp metallic sound rang out in the quiet hallway.

Going somewhere, federal rat? a harsh voice snarled from the shadows.

Roxy stepped out from behind a stack of wooden crates, her face twisted into a vicious smile. In her right hand, she held a long, curved hunting knife, the polished steel blade catching the faint light of the corridor.

I saw you come out of Marcus's private office, Roxy spat, stepping forward and blocking the exit completely. I knew you were dirty the second I saw you on the highway.

Put the knife down, Roxy, I said, keeping my hands open and ready to strike. You do not want to do this.

I am going to carve your throat open right here, Roxy laughed, taking a low combat stance. And then I am going to bring your dead body straight to Xavier and watch him put a bullet in Jack's head for protecting you.