Salted Hearts

I. Currents of Fate

I always see myself in the depths of the ocean—drenched, sinking deeper, drawn to the mysteries it holds. But then, he dove in before me. He vanished into the depth, never resurfacing, never reaching for my hand again. I thought I could finally let him go, but i find myself digging his case again.

“Flair, we got a new lead," said Chief Devoe, sliding a folder across the table and urging Cora to open it.

Cora flipped it open, her sharp green eyes scanning the contents. Her red wavy hair tied in a bun, and she carries a presence that didn’t invite small talk. Inside were photos of missing persons, financial documents that hinted at offshore accounts, maps marked with red circles, and a grainy image of a man she recognized instantly: Kai Montague. A popular surfer around her age, he was a local celebrity who graced magazine covers and dominated the competition circuit. His boyish charm and flawless wave techniques had earned him a devoted following, but to Cora, he looked like trouble wrapped in a wetsuit.

“Montague?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. “What does he have to do with this?"

“We suspect he's involved in a human trafficking operation using surfing events as a cover," Devoe said, his tone measured. "The Wavecrest Soirée draws in crowds from all over, making it the perfect opportunity to blend in while coordinating illegal activity. He’s denied everything, of course, but he’s tied to some suspicious people. Your task, Officer Flair, is to go undercover at the event, keep an eye on him, and gather intel."

Cora resisted the urge to groan. Babysitting a surfer wasn’t her idea of investigative work, and it wasn’t exactly the kind of challenge she sought when she joined the force.

“Seriously? This guy seems like a spoiled adrenaline junkie," she said, sipping her coffee while holding the documents in her other hand.

"Maybe," Devoe replied, leaning back in his chair. His expression softened slightly, the fatherly side of him surfacing. He had known Cora long enough to understand her strengths and struggles, especially after the tragic death of her fiancé. He admired her dedication to her work, even when it became a coping mechanism to bury her own pain. "Or maybe he’s using that reputation to hide something far worse. Either way, you’re the best fit for this job. You know how to handle yourself, and I trust you’ll get to the bottom of this."

Cora sighed, closing the folder with a decisive snap. “Fine. Just don’t expect me to play nice."

___________________________________________________

The Wavecrest Soirée was a carnival of energy. Crowds lined the beach, cheering as surfers carved through towering waves. Booths selling souvenirs and food lined the sand, while music blasted from speakers, adding to the chaotic atmosphere. Cora blended into the scene, her sunhat pulled low over her sunglasses as she navigated through the throng of people.

Her gaze landed on Kai Montague, standing by the water’s edge. His wetsuit was unzipped halfway, revealing his muscular body and a toned chest. He’s making a cocky grin that seemed permanently etched on his face. He was laughing with a group of fans, his easy charm on full display as he signed autographs and posed for selfies.

Cora rolled her eyes, turning her back as she pulled out her phone to double-check her target. It was him, no doubt about it. The hazel eyes and tousled hair that seemed to embody surf culture made him unmistakable. But as much as she hated to admit it, she struggled to reconcile the image of this golden boy with someone allegedly running a trafficking ring.

“Enjoying the view?” a voice drawled behind her.

She stiffened, spinning around to find Kai himself, smirking at her. His hazel eyes sparkled with mischief, and his messy hair gave him that maddening, effortlessly-perfect look she despised.

“What view?” she replied coolly, crossing her arms.

Kai gestured to himself, his grin widening. “You’ve been watching me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she shot back, brushing past him before he could say more.

“Your name, sweetheart?” Cora raised her eyebrows with the question.

“Cora Flair. Why? Did I just pique your interest?” She teased.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” he teased back with a grin and turn his back on her.

As she put some distance between them, Cora muttered under her breath, her frustration bubbling over.

Ugh. He’s more insufferable than I thought. Always trying to be the center of attention, like he’s God’s gift to this beach. Alright, fine—he’s hot, but he’s still a prick. Who does he think he is?

The ocean shimmered under the midday sun, the waves rolling in a soothing rhythm. The breeze carried the scent of salt and the faint rustle of palm trees swaying lazily. Cora walked along the shore, needing a moment to clear her head.

But her attention snagged on a pair of figures partially obscured by a tree further up the beach. A man and a woman stood close, their heads bent in hushed conversation.

“Give this to him,” the man whispered, glancing around nervously. “I promised to pay today.”

“Yeah, right,” the woman replied, chewing gum with a smirk. “You’re lucky he hasn’t killed you yet. He’s not exactly patient, you know.”

Cora edged closer, her curiosity piqued. The words were just clear enough to send a chill through her, but before she could catch more, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Aren’t you a sneaky little kitten?”

She froze, whipping around to see Kai standing there, watching her with amusement.

Why the f**k is he everywhere?

She glanced back at the pair by the tree, only to find them staring at her now, their conversation abruptly halted. Kai, oblivious or unconcerned, gave them a cheerful wave. To her shock, they waved back.

“I was just passing through,” she said quickly, forcing a casual tone. “You’re close with them?”

“Sure, they’re surfers,” Kai replied with a shrug, though something in his tone hinted at amusement.

“So… you probably know what they were talking about?”

Kai’s brow arched as his grin widened. “What were they talking about?”

“I don’t know,” Cora muttered, her voice tight. “Couldn’t hear much.” She turned on her heel, walking away before he could press further, acutely aware of his gaze following her every step.

_______________________________________________________

That evening, the atmosphere shifted. The tiki bar at the heart of the event was alive with music and laughter, the scent of tropical cocktails mixing with the salty sea breeze. Cora sat at the edge of the bar, nursing a mocktail as she discreetly observed Kai. He was at the other end, chatting with a man who stood out like a sore thumb.

The stranger wore a sharp suit that screamed money and power, his cold demeanor and calculating eyes in stark contrast to the laid-back surfers around him. Their conversation was hushed, and the way they exchanged a small flash drive — quick and subtle — set off alarm bells in Cora’s head.

Adjusting her surveillance earring, she snapped a photo of the interaction, zooming in on the stranger’s face. Just as she lowered the camera, Kai’s gaze darted her way. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, his expression darkening as if he knew he was being watched.

Cora’s heart raced as she quickly turned back to her drink, pretending to scratch her ear. The move was smooth, but her pulse was anything but calm.

Moments later, a shadow fell over her. She looked up to see Kai standing there, arms crossed, his trademark grin replaced by a more serious expression.

"Enjoying your drink?" he asked, his tone sharp.

"Immensely," she replied, forcing a nonchalant smile.

Kai leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "What’s wrong with your ear?"

"It’s a bit itchy," she replied casually.

"Maybe removing your earring might help," he suggested, raising an eyebrow.

Cora froze for a split second before regaining her composure. "Nah, I don’t think that’s it. It’s better now."

Kai studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing. Then he smirked, though the humor didn’t reach his eyes. "I don’t know who you are, but you’re not just a fan, are you?"

Cora forced a smirk of her own. "Paranoid much? Not everyone’s here for you, Romeo."

Kai chuckled, but it was a dry, humorless sound. “Whatever game you’re playing, you might want to rethink it. People around here don’t take kindly to nosy strangers."

With that, he walked away, blending back into the crowd. His charm returned instantly, his smile bright and disarming as he greeted fans. But to Cora, the mask was slipping.

Her fingers tightened around her glass as she watched him disappear into the crowd. This wasn’t just about trafficking anymore. She’s convinced that Kai Montague wasn’t just a surfer.

"Now this is what I’m here for," she muttered under her breath.