Capture

Not Just A Game Anymore

Harry pulled away from the kiss, murmuring that he needed to check his apartment. As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, I turned my head toward Liam's unit and whispered to the wire still taped beneath my shirt.

"I'm sorry," I said, hoping—praying—he was still listening. "I didn't mean to, I just needed you to be able to get out safely, it was the only thing I could think to say."

I didn't wait for a response. I walked back into my apartment, the guilt heavy in my chest, and peeled the wire off with shaking hands. The earpiece followed, tossed carelessly onto the dresser like it had burned me. I left the front door unlocked behind me.

A few minutes later, Harry let himself in.

"Anything missing?" I called, already halfway to my closet, trying to sound nonchalant.

He stepped into the bedroom. "No. It looks untouched. Like... weirdly untouched. I'm not really sure what they were looking for."

"At least nothing was taken," I offered, slipping out of my shoes and into something softer. My hands moved automatically, but my mind was still stuck back in the hallway.

"Yeah," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "But now that they know how to get in, they might come back. I think I'll set up some cameras—just to be safe."

"Is that really necessary?" I asked lightly, perching on the edge of the bed, pretending to stretch.

He shrugged, sitting beside me. "I'd rather be proactive. If someone's coming after me, I want to know about it. I want control."

"Coming after you?" I frowned. "Would someone come after you?"

Harry wrapped his arms around me seeing my look of concern. "Don't worry, I'm not in any danger, but my job can be intense at times."

"That makes sense," I murmured.

Harry reached over and pulled me gently toward him. "I'm sorry we had to cut the night short. I know you were looking forward to a real dinner—something normal."

"Oh, it's fine," I said quickly, brushing it off. "We'll go another time."

He smiled. "There was one good thing that came out of tonight, though."

I blinked at him, uncertain. "What's that?"

His grin widened like a sunrise. "You love me."

My stomach turned, but I kept my smile in place. He looked so happy. So unguarded. I forced out a laugh and gave him a playful shove. "Don't let it go to your head."

"You looooove me," he teased, leaning into me like a kid who'd just won a game.

"Keep it up and I won't even like you anymore." I joked getting up from my bed as he laid down on it.

"You love me a lot," he sing-songed, grinning like he'd just won the lottery.

I sighed and kissed him, because what else could I do?

We settled in together, the bed warm and quiet beneath us. His arm draped around me, his breathing slow and even. I stared at the ceiling, eyes blinking heavier with every passing minute. But sleep didn't come easily because I had told him I loved him, and even though some part of me meant it... I had said it for Liam's rescue.

Morning came too fast. I rolled over, half-hoping last night had been a dream, but the cold sheets beside me told me Harry was already gone. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and sat there for a long moment, guilt settling heavy in my chest. The words still echoed in my head