Bounded By The Badge

down on her. The tension was suffocating, thick with the weight of unspoken threats. She felt like she was standing o

see the subtle tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched tightly. He was calculatin

ul, like he was walking toward the inevitable. His smile never wavered, but it didn't r

you're dragging this girl into it." His gaze flicked briefly to Mia, and she couldn't help but feel a chil

ole replied, his voice steady, but there was an edge to

wasn't amusement. It was a warning. "You should be scared, Detectiv

taking a step forward before she could stop herself. Her voice shook, but she wa

nd soon enough," he said with eerie calmness. "In the end, everyone has a price

her, silencing her with just a look. She froze, her breath

"Enough," Cole said, his voice a low gr

e gap between them. "You're not le

of a standoff. Mia could feel the heat in her chest rising, the urge to run, to get as far away from this nightmare

lammed open again, and a figure stepped inside, blocking

as J

grim determination. He wasn't here for a friendly visit. The moment his eyes l

n said, his voice low but urg

in his expression, but only for a moment. He knew this wasn't over. But the presence of Jaxon, so

replied, his voice fil

there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "You'r

t of my depth, Jaxon," he said. "Your friend here is. He's about to

"You've made a mistake," he said, his voice low but laced with

r, and Mia's pulse raced. She had no idea what Jaxon was talking ab

of frustration and amusement. "You're both so sure of yourse

away, Mason. We make sure you don't

on's men, spinning him around in a smooth, practiced motion. The man's surprise turned to rage, but befo

y Jaxon's sudden strike. But Mia saw the momentar

sharp with anger. "You think you can just walk in he

ely on Mason now. "I think it's you who's out of yo

d against Mia's arm, sending a spark of electricity through he

hysical; it was a fight for control. And Cole, Jaxon-both of them had their roles to play. She wasn't going to get in the w

e didn't understand, and now, i