•Chapter 1
Chapter one/ Harper’s pov [ Edited]
“WE NEED BACKUP! I REPEAT, WE NEED BACKUP! SEND YOUR MEN IN, HILLS!”
My screams blend with the deafening crack of gunshots tearing through the air, echoing off steel and concrete. For what feels like the millionth time today, my life flashes before my eyes.
Not that it’s any different from any other day—it flashes every damn day.
“Roger that, Agent Davis.” Hills’ voice cuts through the receiver, distorted but steady, sending a flicker of relief through my chest.
I duck behind a stack of shipping containers, cold metal pressing into my back, just as someone throws themselves down beside me. Dust and debris scatter across the ground. Instinct takes over—I raise my gun, finger tight on the trigger, squinting through the smoke and flashing muzzle fire.
“It’s me—don’t shoot!” he yells.
“Parker? Shit—what happened?” I lower my gun and take him in. Bloody face. Possibly a broken nose. Shot in the shoulder. Breathing shallow— rib’s definitely injured. ”Who did this? "
No one—and I mean no one—takes one of my team.
“Who else?” he grunts through clenched teeth.
“Stay put,” I say, checking my weapon before stepping out from behind the containers.
The air smells like gunpowder and rust.
Agents are scattered across the yard, some down, some crawling for cover. I pray nothing’s serious. It’s not easy losing a member of your team.
And Marco...he doesn’t leave survivors.
With me now in their line of sight, Marco’s men stand shoulder to shoulder, guns trained on me. Smoke coils around them. Marco smiles—that same cunning smile that sends chills down your spine.
The sight pisses me off—really pisses me off.
I step forward anyway, boots crunching against gravel.
“You know, Marco,” I shout, my voice cutting through the haze, “it’s not your damn day to shine.”
“It’s mine!”
Hills’.
I snap my head to the left, and there he stands—beaten, bloodied, rugged as hell, that annoying determination still etched into his face.
“Hills,” I mutter.
“Davis.” He nods once.
I sigh and crack my neck.
“Ready to end this shit?” I smirk. “So I can end you next?”
A low chuckle escapes him as he raises his gun, jaw clenched, eyes locked on the men ahead. “Oh, I’m ready.”
“WATCH YOUR SIX!”
My head whips toward the shout—one of Hills’ men hauling himself off the ground. As I follow his line of sight, Hills is already moving, striding away from my side, gun up.
Then all hell breaks loose.
Gunfire erupts again, sharp and relentless. We dodge where we can, shoot where we must. There’s no room for hesitation—only survival.
“Davis—he’s running!” Hills shouts over the chaos as we duck for cover. “You handle his men, I’ll go after him.”
I could do that.
But I’m closer to Marco. I can’t cover Hills from here—but I can reach the bastard.
So instead, I bolt.
“DAVIS! DAVIS, LISTEN!” Hills’ voice echoes behind me.
I wasn’t defying an order.I was making sense of it.
And that’s how I end up where I do next.
***
The unpleasant smell of antiseptic fills my lungs as my eyes open. I frown. I hate hospitals—and no, I don’t need a reason why.
But...
It was worth it.
At least for the rest of Colorado. Not so much for me.
When Marco took off, I went after him. He put up one hell of a fight. The reason I’m now stuck in this god-forsaken place.
My body throbs—bruised face, injured abdomen, pain radiating everywhere. The Chief won’t be letting me out of this bed anytime soon, unless it’s for desk work or something equally miserable.
The door to my bland, depressing hospital room slams open, fluorescent lights flickering as my vision lands on one very pissed-off Hills.
Oh. Shit.
“I’m already as beat as I can get,” I croak, throat dry. “But if you’re offering last-minute punches and kicks, I might be interested.”
He steps closer, boots heavy against the linoleum, grabs the glass of water from the table, and presses it to my lips.
I drink—once, twice—cool relief sliding down my throat—then wiggle my eyebrows at him.
He immediately pulls the glass away, setting it down with a scowl.
He stares at me for what feels like hours. The deep frown etched into his face makes me regret the tease—just a little.
“You and your fucking games, Davis,” he snaps. “I told you to take his men. What do you do? You run after Marco.”
Well. Damn.
“I didn’t think you could finish him off as well as I did,” I mock.
“God, I swear,” he growls, leaning closer, his voice dropping near my ear, “if you weren’t in here right now, I’d take you down.” His voice softens—but not gently. “And you don’t want that.”
Acting on instinct—and pure spite—I grab his collar and twist, throwing my weight despite the pain. He lands beneath me on the bed as every muscle in my body screams in protest.
God damn this man—and his ability to push me past my limits.
“We both know you don’t want to do that, Bryan,” I whisper, smirking at the flash of surprise on his face.
“Harper,” he spits. “Always so confident. Just do your fucking job and leave me alone.”
He tries to get up, but I hold him there with what little strength I have, straddling his waist.
This bed was not made for two people. I can hear it creaking under our weight.
I chuckle. The nerve.
“What’s your problem?” I taunt. “Afraid to get beaten by me—a woman?”
“No, Harper.” His tone softens, unexpectedly tender compared to before. “I’m afraid you’ll lose your balance... and I’ll be the one catching you.”
His hand rises, fingers grazing my cheek with deliberate, electrifying precision.
My breath hitches.
“What... what is that supposed to mean?” I ask, brows furrowed, pulse spiking.
He doesn’t answer. Just leans in, eyes fixed on my lips—slow, unyielding.
Holy shit.
“Hills—what are you doing?” I try to pull away, but his hold tightens, drawing me closer.
“I’d like to know that too.”
We freeze.
I turn my head toward the door, where Chief stands, brows raised, lips pressed into a thin line.
Oh no.
“Uh—Chief,” I stammer, wincing as I try to move. Pain shoots through me. “Shit.”
Hills carefully places me back onto the mattress, then steps away like he’s been scorched.
He clears his throat, breaking the tension. “Sir, I was just leaving,” he says, already moving toward the door.
Before he can turn the knob, Chief speaks.
“I need you to stay. I have another assignment for you.”
***
“No way.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Chief. I’m not working with him anymore. You said our first assignment together would be our last.”
It’s the third time I’ve said it in the past half hour. Hills, Chief, and I sit in the same dull hospital room while Chief lays out a last-minute undercover assignment.
Two months. Undercover. With Hills.
I feel my stomach knot.
“You’ll need to keep your cover as a married couple,” Chief adds, deadpan. “Please refrain from killing each other. You move out tomorrow morning. Nine A.M. sharp.”
Then he’s gone.
Silence hangs in the room like a weight.
“This is just great,” Hills mutters, dragging a hand through his hair.
“You can leave,” I snap, rolling onto my side and shutting my eyes.
“Gladly,” he says, voice dripping with sarcasm.
The door clicks shut.
I clench my jaw.
Two months.With that arrogant, insufferable jerk.
And on top of it all...We’re fake married.
Lovely.
_____
Author’s Note (Polished)
Heyyyyy! I’m back
As you can tell, I’ve taken this story in a new direction, and I really hope you’ll enjoy the ride. I don’t have much else to say—so I’ll spare you the rambling. [2026 - I had to make small changes to the chapter, not much though, but tell me, how does a few changes turn into me being busy with this chapter for nearly an hour...insane.]
Please vote, comment, and share if you’re enjoying it.
