Maya's POV
The mission briefing appears on my phone during biology class.
TARGET: DATA EXTRACTION
LOCATION: PORT DISTRICT
TEAM: RIVERS / COLE
Of course.
Ethan notices my reaction immediately. He taps his pen twice—our silent signal.
After school.
I don't know whether to feel relieved or annoyed that I work best with him.
Probably both.
We meet at the edge of the port just after sunset. Hoodies. Earpieces. Normal teens on the outside—trained spies underneath.
"This one's simple," Ethan says. "In and out."
"You always say that," I reply.
"And I'm usually right."
I roll my eyes. "That confidence is going to get you caught one day."
"Funny," he says, glancing at me. "You sound worried."
"I'm not."
Liar.
Inside the warehouse, shadows stretch long and dangerous. I hack the system while Ethan keeps watch. It's smooth—almost too smooth.
Then voices.
Male. Close.
I freeze.
Ethan steps in front of me instantly, protective without thinking.
Two other teen spies from another unit enter—both laughing, relaxed. One of them smiles at me.
"Didn't know Cole worked with such talent," he says.
I smile back, polite.
Ethan stiffens.
"Focus," he snaps.
The other boy raises an eyebrow. "Relax, man."
I finish the hack. Mission complete.
But Ethan barely speaks on the way back.
Ethan's POV
I don't like the way they looked at her.
I don't like the way she smiled.
And I definitely don't like the way my chest tightens over something that shouldn't matter.
"She's capable," one of them said.
I know that.
I just don't want them to.
When we finally stop, Maya turns to me. "What's your problem?"
I hesitate.
Nothing. Everything.
"Don't get distracted on missions," I say instead.
Her eyes narrow. "You don't get to tell me who I talk to."
"I get to tell my partner to stay focused."
"Partner?" she repeats softly.
The word hangs between us.
Dangerous.
Unspoken.
"I don't need your protection, Ethan," she says.
I meet her gaze. "Maybe not. But you're getting it anyway."
For a moment, neither of us moves.
Enemies.
Rivals.
Something else hovering just beneath the surface.
And neither of us ready to name it.