Blurred Lines

Chapter 1 - A New Beginning

6 years later

Riley Torres had never imagined herself in uniform, least of all the kind that came with a badge and a gun. But life had a way of pushing you into places you never thought you'd go. She stood in front of the precinct's entrance, her fingers curling and uncurling around the strap of her duffel bag, eyes fixed on the police insignia etched into the glass doors.

Inside the precinct, the air was heavy with the smell of old coffee and paperwork. The place was a mix of chaos and routine—phones ringing, officers hustling from one task to the next. And standing near the front desk, looking every bit as immovable as a mountain, was her training officer, Luke Maddox.

"Look alive, Torres," Maddox barked the second she stepped in, his sharp eyes narrowing as he sized her up. "You're late."

Riley didn't flinch, though his tone had an edge that could cut steel. Maddox was known around the department for being a hard-ass, especially when it came to rookies. The stories about him were practically legend—how he'd driven at least three recruits out of the academy because they couldn't handle his intensity.

But Riley wasn't the type to back down. She'd grown up tough, hardened by a life that didn't give second chances.

"I'm two minutes early," she shot back, crossing her arms over her chest.

Maddox's jaw tightened. "Two minutes early means you're still late in my book. I don't tolerate slackers."

She could feel the tension already brewing between them. It had been that way since day one of their partnership—like oil and water, two volatile forces clashing at every turn. But she had to admit, Maddox knew his job. He'd been in the game for over a decade, respected on the force, but he was hard to like.

He wasn't just strict—he was relentless. Maddox had made it his mission to push every trainee to their limit. If you didn't measure up, you didn't make it.

"Get your gear," he ordered, turning on his heel and heading toward the squad car without waiting for her to follow.

Riley gritted her teeth, grabbing her vest and slinging it on as she jogged to catch up. As she slid into the passenger seat, Maddox was already pulling out of the lot, his eyes focused dead ahead.

"Today's your first patrol," he said. "No screw-ups. You keep your mouth shut, your eyes open, and your hands where they need to be. You listen to me, and only me. Understand?"

She rolled her eyes behind her sunglasses. "Yeah, I got it. I know how this works."

"No," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You don't. This isn't some classroom exercise. This isn't about ticking boxes or passing exams. This is the real world, Torres. People die out here."

Riley clenched her fists in her lap, biting back the retort that danced on the tip of her tongue. She knew people died. She'd lived with death her whole life. But she also knew she was more than capable of handling herself, no matter what Maddox thought.

They rode in silence for a while, the city passing by in a blur of noise and flashing lights. As it often did on difficult days, Riley's mind wandered back to Josh, to his funeral, the cold stone of his grave. What would he think of her now? She couldn't fail. Not after everything that had happened.

After a long stretch of quiet, Maddox broke the silence. "You think you can do this, don't you?"

Riley glanced at him, his profile sharp and unyielding. "What?"

"This job. You think you can just waltz in here with all that attitude and make a difference. But let me tell you something, Torres—this job will eat you alive if you're not careful."