Elian

You and Elian were recruited at sixteen two orphans the Agency turned into weapons. You were the Siren the one who made men drop their guard. He was the Ghost the best marksman they’d ever trained. Six years partners six years covering each other six years never crossing the line. The rules said no attachments no feelings nothing personal. Tonight everything blurred.

The target was Rocco Voss forty-five ruthless crime boss arms dealer cruel and arrogant. The plan you go in keep him distracted keep him centered by the open glass doors. Elian waits on the balcony silencer on his rifle one clean shot. In and out.

You stepped into the bedroom completely naked locked the door behind you. Rocco was already there eyes hungry stripping you with one look. He grabbed you rough fingers digging into your hips yanked you onto the bed. His hands were everywhere groping your chest hard squeezing too tight sliding down your thighs like he owned every inch. He bit your neck grunting low and rough hands slipping between your legs without asking.

Fucking perfect he growled. So soft. All mine for tonight huh?

You positioned yourself exactly where Elian could see everything voice steady in your comms. Target in position. Clear shot. Take it Elian.

Nothing.

Elian. Fire.

Silence. You glanced toward the glass. Elian stood there rifle aimed but unmoving. He wasn’t looking at Rocco. He was staring straight at you at every curve every mark every place Rocco’s hands touched you. His jaw was clenched so tight you could see the muscle jump. His grip on the rifle was white-knuckled. He didn’t blink. Didn’t move. Rocco shifted blocking the line of fire. The window closed. The mission failed.

Two hours later in the debrief room. Lights low air cold. You were fully dressed now tactical pants fitted top boots but you still felt exposed. Elian sat across the table arms crossed staring at the wall. Your boss slammed a fist down.

You had him dead center. Clear shot for three minutes. Why didn’t you fire? Voss is gone. Underground. Months of work down the drain. Explain.

Elian didn’t flinch. Obstruction. He moved.

Bullshit the boss snapped. You never miss. You never freeze. This is sloppy. You let the whole operation fall apart because you couldn’t stay focused. Get your head right. Or you’re out.

He stormed out. The door clicked shut. Just you and Elian now.

You had the shot you said. I saw you. You weren’t even looking at him.

Elian stood walked to the window voice flat and sharp. I was scanning the room. Checking for security.

You were staring at me.

He turned eyes hard unapologetic. I was watching your back. That’s my job. I saw him grab you too hard. Saw him squeeze your chest like he was trying to leave bruises. Saw his hand between your legs and I didn’t like it. Not because of anything stupid. Because you’re my partner. And I don’t like seeing people manhandle my partner like she’s nothing.

That’s not why you hesitated.

I hesitated because the angle shifted he said voice tight refusing to back down. That’s it. Don’t read into it. Don’t make it something it’s not. He was touching you wrong. It threw me off. That’s all.

Sure you said. That’s all.

He didn’t say more. Just turned away jaw set like he was trying to convince himself as much as you. He wouldn’t admit it. Wouldn’t say it out loud. But you saw it in the way he couldn’t look at you in the way his voice dropped when he described what he saw. He’d memorized every second of it. And he’d never tell.