seen River fr

eed. He'd seen him move through rooms like a shadow,

as locked. And his eyes... there was so

e

e say?" Jace asked

lid his phone across the table. "They mentioned

e but found no trace of

cting the wrong man. That if I don't wa

ked. "The

ad. Overseas. We were sent into a mission that wasn't cleared. We were told it was surveillance

d y

ot a dishonorable disc

lready racing. "You think this

t you anymore," River said da

ettled be

g felt too exposed now. He'd always known someone was watching. H

out who made that

t," River replied

e leaves

rms. "And what if t

awn. "Then we take th

m. "You really w

lready made it personal

be ready. Because this isn't about money anym

speak much

terview was confirmed for tomorrow. Fri

e. Light touches, little smiles. The story matters mor

ng we're a happy coupl

ing like you'd rather stab

're not exactly

she shot back. "Trust me,

the phone after

lt so foreign it m

*****

ony instead, staring out over the city. The wind ruff

ut a word, holding ou

't drink. "You don't strik

m n

him. "Then why a

on't like silence. And I don

icked to him. "

bitter smile. "Mor

sip. "Lonely doesn't

scares

answer for

etly, "Trusting

is chest. Because he understo

e told me not to. Even when I saw the signs. He died, and I s

was

low. "Cold, calculating and empty. But sometimes

ot him,"

turned. "How

care. Even when y

't admitted in years. He cared too much, always had. But caring me

king away from all of thi

ked. "All

don't

ace said, "he wins and ever

"Then we don't di

yes slightly softer. "You

know how

st smiled

. "You'll need your energy tomorrow when

turning on his hee

*******

the studio was loc

She looked sharp, fast-talking

suit is working. River, just keep doing

r muttered under his bre

asha said with a

s were set up. A gentle-faced interviewer waited,

ment later. The set looked like someone's cozy liv

" River ask

enched. "Not

d. "Means we won'

through the earpiece. "But if it gets too

a light t

and his partner, River Hale," the interviewer began warm

lap, his knuckles turning white. River sat calm beside him, b

lowly and lean

ady, "some things matter more than

he froze. Sasha's voice cut through the earpi

glanced at the screen

ject line: "KnightF

ld've stayed quiet, Jace.

acing. Next to him, River noti

it?" Rive

idn't

the camera, stared dead int

nger." Jace

blinked. "I'm

aighter, but Jac

he first frame that appeared was a blurred image of