Blackfin Operations

Chapter 1 – Ghost POV: The New Neighbor The small town of Boonville didn’t usually attract my attention. Most of the people here were quiet, predictable, and harmless. I liked it that way—until today. I watched from the edge of my property, leaning against the hood of my truck, coffee in hand, my eyes tracking the figure moving carefully along the driveway next door. New neighbors. Fresh eyes. Usually, that meant harmless city folk with too much money and no idea what they were getting into. But something about her made me pause. She was tall, confident, with movements that screamed control even if her eyes held a flicker of uncertainty. That combination—strength and caution—made me sit up straight. My instincts didn’t lie, and my gut told me she wasn’t just any new resident. I took another sip of coffee, trying to look casual. She carried a large tote, moving toward the house like she owned the place, scanning the surroundings like she expected trouble. Perfect. My kind of neighbor. Trouble had a way of finding her—or anyone in my sight. And I had a habit of stepping in when it did. I studied her for a moment, memorizing details—the color of her hair, the way she adjusted her glasses, the tension in her shoulders. Sky. Her name, I’d heard it from the real estate agent. Sky. Sky Copperwaite. I didn’t know anything else about her yet, but one thing was certain: someone with her energy didn’t run from danger—they just drew it in. I was about to head over and introduce myself when I heard it: the subtle crunch of gravel behind her. Not from her, from something—or someone—else. My hand went instinctively to my side. I moved toward the edge of her property, keeping my posture relaxed. My mind cataloged everything: a dark hoodie crouched near the trees, movement quick, almost predatory. “Hey!” I called, voice carrying over the distance. My tone wasn’t friendly—it didn’t need to be. It was a warning. Sky froze mid-step, her tote slipping slightly from her hand. The stranger’s head snapped toward my voice. I didn’t wait. I moved faster, covering the distance in three long strides. The hoodie shifted, startled, and I grabbed the arm of the stranger, twisting him down into the dirt with the kind of strength only years of SEAL training could provide. Sky gasped, taking a step back, eyes wide. “What… what are you doing?” I didn’t look at her. The guy beneath my grip wasn’t going anywhere. “You’re lucky I was watching. Move inside—now.” Her gaze darted from me to the man on the ground. I could see it—the mix of fear, confusion, and… appreciation. She didn’t know why, but she could trust me. For now. The stranger struggled, but I held him down easily. Go inside “Call the cops, or I do it myself. Move.” Sky fumbled with her phone, her fingers shaking, she tried to obey what I commanded she’s silently freaking out eyes wide, yeah she’s not calling the police but She stepped into her house, glancing over her shoulder as I dragged the man up and pinned him to the porch. “You okay?” I asked her without looking away from him. “I… yeah. Thanks.” Her voice was small, but firm. Strong. I noted that. I turned back to the man. “Who sent you?” His eyes flickered with fear. “I… I don’t know.” “Liar.” A sharp, tense moment. He tried to push up, and I slammed him down, the kind of force that reminded him exactly who had control. Sky’s eyes were on me, wide, but I caught the flicker of something else—excitement, maybe, or curiosity. Either way, she was paying attention. I straightened, looking down at him. “Step off my neighbor’s property, or I’ll make sure you never step anywhere again without someone finding out. Understand?” He nodded frantically, terror written all over his face. I released him, watching him stumble back toward the treeline before disappearing into the shadows. Sky stepped outside cautiously. “I… didn’t realize—” “Don’t worry about it,” I said, brushing dirt from my hands. My gaze locked with hers, and I realized something. She wasn’t scared—not really. She was assessing. Calculating. Like she’d survived worse than some i***t on my property. I nodded slightly. “I’m Ghost. Blackfin Operations.” Her eyebrows rose. “Black… what?” I smirked faintly, the kind of smirk that made my presence obvious. “Nothing you need to worry about. But if anyone else shows up tonight, you let me handle it. Got it?” She hesitated, then nodded. “Got it… Ghost.” Her voice—soft, yet defiant—made something tighten in my chest. I didn’t let people in easily. But Sky… she might be the exception. I turned back to my truck, keeping an eye on the shadows. Someone had been watching her. And I was damn well going to make sure they didn’t get a chance. For the first time in a long while, I wanted to stay here. To protect. To watch. Because Sky Copperwaite wasn’t just any neighbor. She was trouble. And I liked trouble.