Page 1 of Knox
Chapter 1
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QUINN ANDERSON’S HANDSflew over the keyboard as she hacked into the system of traffic cameras monitoring downtown Seattle.Numbers flashed across her screen, and she typed in a series of codes, her focus only on her end goal.Access.Surveillance.Eyes from above to monitor the city below.
A terror plot was coming to a head this weekend, and every second counted.While several of the Shadow Ops: Bravo Team would be headed to L.A.to thwart the potential attacks there, other colleagues would remain right here in Seattle, focusing on a threat practically at their front door.A homegrown terror cell had set up weapons caches outside major cities in the U.S., plotting simultaneous attacks across the country.The goal was shock value—attacks on landmarks around the country, causing destruction and chaos, slicing to the hearts of American citizens.
While Bravo Team’s operatives would be on the move, taking out the bad guys and locating the weapons, Quinn would remain at Shadow Security’s west coast office doing what she did best—critical IT work.Her job encompassed everything from hacking into secure systems to tracing money trails all over the globe to developing complex Trojan Horse viruses to take down enemy systems.
Although Shadow Security was working in conjunction with local authorities, it was faster if they had their own entry point into the surveillance systems.They didn’t have time for all the red tape to be sorted.And thus, Quinn came in, getting them access to camera feeds and other critical systems so they’d have eyes on the scene and up-to-date information at all times.
She clicked a button, watching as live surveillance feeds popped up from multiple angles across her computer screen, and smiled.
Easy as pie.
Quinn shot off a quick message to the other IT staff.Next, she needed to notify Bravo Team of the newest development.They were briefing soon to make final preparations before they moved out.
Her gaze briefly landed on a separate monitor atop her desk.She’d not only been hacking into surveillance systems, she’d been poking around the dark web, monitoring the terror cell’s chatter.And she was almost—almost—able to pose as one of the members, which would give her access to their inner workings.
Adrenaline pumped through her bloodstream.With specifics, they’d be able to thwart the attacks more easily.And Quinn would do whatever it took to help stop the terror plots.While the intended targets might be landmarks, innocents would no doubt be harmed in the process.The world was full of evil, and she was happy to do her part to keep others safe.If lives could be spared, she would stop at nothing to prevent the homegrown terror cell from moving forward with their twisted operation.
Movement in the hallway drew her attention, and a large, muscular guy appeared in the doorway to her office, a shit-eating grin spreading across his face.“What’s up, Quinncess?”Cooper Davis asked, looking amused with himself.
“The fuck you calling her that for?”Xaden Wilkerson asked, jokingly smacking Cooper’s head as he strode into the room.
Cooper shrugged, glancing at his teammate “She looked sad the other day, so I was trying to cheer her up.”
Quinn shook her head, barely glancing up from her computer screen as she continued typing.“I wasn’t sad.I was concentrating on my work.And speaking of work, I’ve got something to show you.Let me open it back up.”
The men on Bravo Team were all former military—Special Forces soldiers who’d been hired to run black ops for Shadow Security.They were a new group stemming from Jett Hutchinson’s security empire based out of New York.Word around the office was that Jett was expanding even more.It was hard to imagine given that this building was brand spanking new.Quinn and the two men with her were some of the newest hires for the West Coast office.While the rest of the world thought they were bodyguards, providing security services to high-profile clients, only a select few knew the truth.They handled jobs the Feds didn’t want to dirty their hands with, ridding the world of evil men and keeping the country safe.
“Quinn’s more like a badass computer ninja or something,” Xaden said.“What princesses have purple hair and an eyebrow ring?”
She smirked, brushing back a strand of her dark tresses.She enjoyed the streak of purple she’d spontaneously dyed in her hair a few months ago.Maybe next she’d add a streak of pink.Or teal.And the tiny eyebrow ring was barely noticeable.It was more cute than badass, but it amused her to no end to annoy the strait-laced members of society with it—specifically her own father.
Was Quinn a capable, intelligent adult?Yes.Did she still have a slight rebellious streak?Also a yes.
“All right guys,” she said as they moved closer.“We’re in.Let me show you what I’ve gained access to.”Quinn clicked a few keys, and multiple camera feeds popped up on her monitor.
Cooper let out a low whistle.“Impressive.”
Xaden edged closer.“Damn impressive,” he agreed.“How’d you get so smart?”
“It’ll be more impressive when we catch these assholes,” she countered.She glanced over at the two men.“And let’s just say I got into more trouble than I should have as a kid—hacking into our school computer systems to change a few grades for myself and my friends.What?”she asked with a shrug.“It was harmless.Mostly.”
“Uh-huh,” Cooper replied, looking impressed.
“I might’ve, uh, also lowered the airfare of a few flights to Mexico when my friends and I were in college.Spring break and all,” she explained.“We were broke and wanted a good deal.”
“Now we’re talking,” Cooper said with a grin.
“Jesus,” Xaden muttered with an appreciative look.“And we’re supposed to be the dangerous ones.I’m almost afraid to ask what else you can do.”
“Guess that’ll be my secret,” she joked.“I’ve got to keep you guys on your toes.”
“Remind me never to let you befriend my ex,” Xaden quipped.“Never underestimate a woman on a mission.I learned that one the hard way.”
Quinn raised her eyebrows but never got an explanation as another member of Bravo Team suddenly appeared in her doorway.She felt a shiver wash over her as she glanced toward the door and locked eyes with Knox Kingsley.Her heart stuttered, suddenly thumping erratically in her chest, and a flush heated her skin.Something about Knox always set her senses on high alert.The room felt warmer.Brighter.Everything else seemed to fade into the background as she looked at the man before her.
