Page 13 of Protect Thy Enemy

The heat rises in my chest, anger curling low in my stomach. I clench my fists at my sides, willing myself to stay composed. I want to defend myself, but the reminder of his seniority holds me in place.

“It won’t happen again,” I say, my voice steady, even though I feel anything but.

“It shouldn’t have happened at all,” he replies, his tone like ice. Does hewantme to argue with him? “This job doesn’t leave room for mistakes or excuses.”

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to nod. “Understood, sir.”

He watches me, and for a moment, I think he’s going to let it end there. But then, his voice cuts through the silence again.

“Harris sees something in you. For your sake, I hope he’s not wrong.”

The words hit harder than I expect, and I feel a flicker of something I can’t quite name. The urge to argue resurfaces. I want to tell him Harris isn’t the only one who sees potential in me, that I believe in myself, but for whatever reason I can’t find the words.

And honestly, the fight in me drained long before I got here. This morning was a lot for me, and I still have real-worldproblems to figure out. Like how the hell I’m getting home and where to get a MetroCard. Andhowto use it.

“Is that all, sir?” I ask, my voice sounding defeated, betraying the simmering frustration just beneath the surface.

“Yes,” he says, his jaw tight as though he’s holding something back.

I nod once, pivoting toward the door. “Thank you, sir.”

My hand is on the handle when I feel his eyes on me again, a heavy weight that makes me pause. For a second, I think he might call me back, but the silence stretches on.

I should hate him. Maybe I do. But under the frustration, buried beneath the clipped tone and retorts, there’s something else I can’t quite name. And I’m not sure which part of that scares me more.

I pull the door open and step out, letting it slam shut behind me. It’s petty, but it feels like the only power I have left in this exchange.

As I walk away, my chest feels tight, burning with an emotion similar yet so different from hate. Irritation burns hot in my veins, but beneath it is something else, something I don’t want to think about.

What’s his problem? And why does it feel like Ineedto prove something to him?

Chapter Five

Holden

She’s late.

I spot her the second she steps through the doors, cheeks flushed, hair slipping from her ponytail. Even in her controlled disheveled state, she walks with that infuriating confidence that manages to irritate and intrigue me in equal measure.

She’s only been here a few days, and she’s already slipping.

Inside the debriefing room, I catch sight of Agent Corbin’s gaze fixed on her with a kind of look that makes my blood simmer. It’s not subtle, and it’s not professional.

I shift my focus back to her, watching as she scans the room, spots the empty seat next to Park, and makes her way there.

Park doesn’t react, but I catch the way his eyes harden into a glare when Corbin says something to her.Interesting.

Park doesn’t seem like the type to give a damn about petty junior agent bullshit drama, but I’ve studied him well enough over the past few days to see it. He doesn’t seem like the type to tolerate bullies.

Neither do I but I’ll continue to watch the situation and step in if she needs me to.

Something tells me she can handle it on her own. Still, I don’t like the way Corbin looks at her.

The door clicks shut behind her, and I force myself to tune back into Harris. His words should have my full attention, but they don’t.

“She isn’t ready,” I murmur under my breath. And neither is Park, if I’m being honest.

This wasn’t what I expected when HarrisrequestedI train a former asset’s daughter.

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