Chapter 1 The Setup
Riley Vance a girl that never truly knew herself,job after job she was a different person new looks new backsotry. she ws a product of survival.
She checked her reflection in the cracked visor mirror. Light foundation —light eyeshadow, dark mascara with perfect contour. She always looked ready for anything.
At fifteen, she learned how to listen.
At sixteen, how to lie.
At seventeen… how to survive Victor Vance.
Her father wasn’t just a dealer—he was the kind of man people feared without saying his name too loud. And she had spent years watching what fear did to people.What it did to her.
She stepped out of the car. Across the street, leaning against a dented black sedan, was Detective Marcus Hale.
“You’re early,” she said."you have never been early to anthing"
Marcus smirked. “well I've heard alot abut yor workand im exitedto see what you got.”
Her eyes flicked toward the bar. They already had a plan. She plays damsel in distress and marucs is the big ba Wolfe.
“He’s inside,” Marcus added. “Adrian Cross.”
Wealthy. Clean image. Generous donations.And buried under that?
Something else.
Something worth twenty grand.
Inside, the bar was loud, dim,Perfect.Riley scanned once—and found him.Adrian Cross. She had allready seen him Watching her without looking obvious.
Then Marcus came in. Already acting drunk.but when he got close shes smelled liquor.
Too loud. Too close.
“Hey,” he slurred, sliding next to her. “You here alone?”
Riley played her part—uncomfortable, tense, trying to brush him off.
“Back off.” she said then wisperd to him that hes not suppose to get drunk on the job.
he sat down bedside her to close. "Im just having a little fun" he wisperd.
“Im going to the bathroom,” she said, standing quickly.
He followed.
Right on cue.
The door shut behind them.
Before she could turn fully, Marcus grabbed her, pulling her in close he muttered. “You’re doing great.” and pushed het to the wall.
“You don’t have to—” she started, pushing at him. But he didn’t stop. His grip tightened.
Too tight.
“Marcus,” she said, low and sharp. “That’s enough this is not the plan .”
He didn’t listen. He put his hand around her neck and wisperd “The more real it looks the better”
“I said stop!” Her voice cracked as she shoved him.
He came back harder grabing her wrist with one hand and her jaw with the other kissing her harder.
It didn’t feel like a plan anymore. She felt real danger and betrayal. She couldn't belive what was happening.
The door burst open.
“What the hell get off her”
Adrian bust in moving fast—grabbing Marcus, yanking him back, and dropping him with one solid hit.
Marcus hit the floor and stayed there.
Riley’s breathing was uneven now. Adrian turned to her, his expression shifting instantly.
“You okay?”
She nodded—but it wasn’t convincing,Outside the cold air hit her hard.
“Look at me,” Adrian said.
She did.
His eyes scanned her face.
“You’re bleeding.”
She tasted metallic on her lip. His gaze dropped to her wrist then her neck His jaw tightened.
“he got you good,men like that should be put down”
She froze Marcus had done that.
She had done this many times before with other uundercover cops they woud play the part and she would get the information for cash.
But never like that.
Never where she actually had to fight.
“Did you know that man?” Adrian asked.
She shook her head.
“I don’t know him.”For a second, Riley almost forgot the act. What she felt was real pain and fear.
She trys to brush it off she knws she still has a job, get close to this man so she can get a paycheack
“I’m okay,” she said softly.
He didn’t believe her.
But he didn’t push.
“Do you have somewhere safe to go?”
She hesitated.
Then shook her head. She bent over and threw up. Adrian was there instantly, holding her hair back.
“Easy…”
“I drank too much,” she muttered.
Her legs gave slightly.
He caught her.
“I’m not leaving you here you can stay the night at my house,” he said.
And just like that she was in.The house was massive. High ceilings. Clean lines. Expensive everything.
Riley noticed it all, even as she leaned into him like she could barely stand.
He led her to a bedroom.
“You can stay here,” Adrian said. “Get some rest.”
She nodded, sinking onto the huge soft bed
“Wait,” he said gently.
She looked up.
“I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
There was hesitation in his voice.
“Can I?” he asked, gesturing lightly toward her arm.
She nodded slowly.
He checked her wrist first—lightly turning it, his grip careful.
His jaw tightened again at the bruising thats darker now. His eyes moved to her face again, then her neck.
He didn’t touch this time—just looked.
Anger flickered in his eyes for her.
“You’re safe here,” he said finally.
When he left, closing the door softly behind him, the room went still.
Riley sat there for a momen then slowly, she stood and walked to the mirror.
Her lip was split. Her wrist and neck hurt to the touch. She kew she could never work with that man again.
She grabbed her phone.
Typed fast.
Riley:
You went too far, that was not apart of the plan.
He text back quick like she was waiting for it
Marcus:
It worked, didn’t it?
Her jaw tightened.
Riley:
No one has ever taken it that far your sick.
Marcus:
Don’t act like this is new for you.You fuck guys all the time to get information, its your job get used to it babe.
Her chest tightened.
Riley:
F*** you.
The reply came fast.
Marcus:
Your overreacting, Riley.
Her fingers hovered over the screen.
Then—
Riley:
I’m done, ill work with someone else She blocks him wth no hesitation.
The silence after felt different,heavier.
Riley dropped the phone onto the bed and sat there for a moment, staring at nothing.
Her body ached.
Her head spun.
But underneath all of it—
Something shifted. She wanted to quit and live a normal life
She laid back slowly, staring up at the ceiling as her eyes drifted shut.
