Chapter 2: Enemies in the Field
1229 Words
Lena Carter’s heels clicked against the polished marble floor of the security firm’s headquarters as she stalked toward the conference room. She wasn’t in the mood for this—especially not him.
The glass doors slid open, and there he was. Ethan Knight. Leaning back in his chair, legs crossed, wearing that smug half-smile that made Lena’s blood pressure spike. His tailored suit was crisp, his dark hair effortlessly tousled, and his hazel eyes gleamed with that irritating mix of confidence and amusement.
“Late again,” Lena said, arms crossed.
Ethan’s smile widened. “I prefer to think of it as making an entrance.”
Lena narrowed her eyes. “Or you could try being professional for once.”
“You wound me, Carter.” He sat up, his gaze sharpening. “I’m perfectly professional when it counts.”
“Sure you are.”
Director Holt’s voice cut through the tension. “Enough. You two are here to keep Sophia Hayes alive, not kill each other.”
Lena forced herself to look away from Ethan and focus. Holt stood at the head of the table, his usual cool authority radiating from his stiff posture. He slid a file across the table.
“Security detail begins tonight,” Holt said. “Sophia’s estate is under guard, but Voss’s men are resourceful. You’ll need to tighten the perimeter.”
Lena flipped through the file. “Her estate is massive. It’s impossible to cover every blind spot.”
Ethan smirked. “Good thing I’m here, then.”
Lena’s jaw tightened. “We’ll need to install motion sensors along the east and south fences.”
“Waste of time,” Ethan said, shaking his head. “Voss’s men will expect that. We need a decoy perimeter—draw them toward the west side, where we can control the engagement.”
Lena’s eyes narrowed. “And leave Sophia exposed on the east side? Brilliant.”
“You have a better idea?”
“Yes—stop making reckless decisions.”
Ethan’s gaze darkened. “Reckless? That’s rich coming from you.”
“I get results.”
“And I keep people alive,” Ethan shot back.
“Enough,” Holt snapped. His gaze hardened as he addressed them both. “Sort this out. I don’t care how.” He turned toward the door. “Be at the estate within the hour.”
Lena glared at Ethan as Holt left.
“You’re impossible,” she muttered.
Ethan’s smile sharpened. “And you’re predictable.”
Lena wanted to punch him. Instead, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the room.
Sophia’s estate was more like a palace. The wrought-iron gates creaked open, revealing a long cobblestone driveway lined with manicured hedges and security cameras. The mansion loomed at the end—sleek marble, sprawling windows, and an air of quiet luxury.
Lena parked the SUV near the front entrance. Ethan slid out of the passenger seat, adjusting his suit cuffs with practiced ease.
“Stay sharp,” Lena said.
“Always.” Ethan’s smirk was infuriating.
A guard met them at the door, nodding respectfully. “Ms. Hayes is in the sitting room.”
Inside, Sophia Hayes looked every inch the socialite. Her blonde hair was artfully tousled, and she lounged on the cream-colored sofa like she owned the world. A glass of white wine dangled from her manicured fingers.
“You’re the bodyguards?” Sophia’s voice was light, but her blue eyes were sharp.
“Protection detail,” Lena corrected.
Sophia’s gaze lingered on Ethan. “Nice suit.”
Ethan smiled faintly. “Thanks. It’s tailored.”
Lena rolled her eyes. “Have you received any direct threats?”
Sophia sighed, setting her glass down. “Yesterday, I got a package. No return address. Inside was a black playing card with a red ‘V’ on it.”
Lena’s eyes narrowed. “Voss’s signature.”
Sophia’s expression tightened. “There was a note. ‘Time’s up.’”
Ethan’s smirk faded. “Voss is making his move.”
Lena exchanged a glance with Ethan. This wasn’t just intimidation—it was a warning.
“You’ll stay here tonight,” Lena said. “We’ll monitor all communication and reinforce the perimeter.”
Sophia’s gaze turned wary. “How serious is this?”
“Very,” Ethan said softly.
Later that night, Lena stood in the estate’s security room, monitoring the camera feeds. Ethan sat at the console beside her, his long fingers flying across the keyboard as he adjusted the motion sensors.
“We need to reposition the guards,” Lena said. “There’s a gap in the northeast quadrant.”
“Already handled,” Ethan replied.
Lena arched a brow. “Trying to be useful?”
“Just saving you from yourself.”
Lena scoffed. “You wish.”
A flicker of movement on the monitor caught her eye.
“Wait.” She leaned closer. “East side. Two figures.”
Ethan’s gaze sharpened. He toggled the infrared. Two silhouettes, moving toward the fence line.
“Armed,” Ethan said.
Lena’s blood turned cold. “Let’s move.”
They raced through the mansion’s dark hallways. Sophia was in the east wing.
A window shattered.
“Down!” Lena shouted, shoving Sophia to the ground.
Gunfire erupted. Lena fired back, her shots precise and controlled. Ethan was already moving, cutting down one of the intruders with cold efficiency.
“Cover me!” Ethan barked.
Lena spun toward the second shooter, dropping him with two quick shots to the chest. Ethan took down the last one with brutal precision.
Silence fell.
Sophia sat up, wide-eyed and shaking.
“They—they tried to kill me,” she whispered.
Ethan crouched beside one of the attackers, rolling back his sleeve to reveal a tattoo of a red ‘V.’
“This wasn’t a hit,” Ethan said grimly. “They were trying to take her.”
Lena’s pulse hammered in her ears. “Voss wants her alive.”
Sophia’s eyes widened. “Why?”
Lena crouched in front of her. “That’s what we need to find out.”
“Explain,” Holt’s voice was cold over the phone.
“We neutralized three hostiles,” Lena said. “Voss’s men tried to breach the east wing.”
“Any casualties?”
“No,” Lena said. “But they weren’t trying to kill her—they were trying to capture her.”
“That changes things,” Holt said darkly. “Stay close to Sophia. We need answers.”
“Understood.” Lena ended the call.
She turned to find Ethan watching her from across the room.
“You think she’s hiding something?” Ethan asked.
Lena nodded. “Definitely.”
Ethan’s gaze darkened. “Then we need to push harder.”
Lena’s lips curled. “Finally, we agree on something.”
Ethan’s smile was sharp. “Don’t get used to it.”
Lena rolled her eyes and turned toward Sophia. “You’re going to tell us everything you know.”
Sophia’s jaw tightened. “Or what?”
“Or we won’t be able to stop Voss next time.”
Sophia’s eyes flashed. “Fine.”
Lena glanced at Ethan. His expression was unreadable, but beneath it, there was steel.
They were on the same page—for now.
But this was just the beginning.
- Writer
