The Kiss of a Killer

The Mission Begins

Kian

Six months earlier. Kian sat in a dimly lit conference room at the FBI headquarters, the weight of the world beginning to suffocate him. Before him laid 4 cups of finished coffees, a half eaten sandwich, and a series of crime scene photos, each one more gruesome than the last. 17 Young women, each vibrant and full of life, now reduced to chilling statistics. Each case was a haunting reminder of the threat that loomed over them all, and at the center of it was one man-the One Night Killer.

The FBI had been tracking Jack for months, piecing together the pattern of his heinous acts. Yet between the victims, there were no connections. Only correlation is that each of the victims' last locations were at bars scattered throughout the region. Only to be found dead days later, their lives snuffed out by a predator who thrived in the shadows. Kian's hands clenched into fists as he studied the images, feeling a familiar surge of anger and determination rise within him. This wasn't just another case; it was personal. He had lost his sister to violence years ago, her face forever etched in his memory, a constant reminder of the cost of inaction.

"Listen up," the lead agent said, cutting through Kian's thoughts. "We need someone on the inside. Someone who can get close to Jack."

Kian leaned forward, his heart racing. "Let me go undercover," he proposed, his voice steady but urgent. The room erupted in murmurs of hesitation and concern. "It's too risky," Fisher, my right hand man, cautioned. "You don't know what you're getting into."

Kian's resolve hardened. "I've trained for this. I know what I am capable of. Plus, if it means stopping him before he strikes again, I'm willing to take that risk."

After what felt like an eternity, the team agreed. Kian began preparing for his new role as a bartender at The Twisted Tree, the very bar where many of the most victims had last been seen. In the coming days, Countless hours were spent practicing cocktail recipes, learning the ins and outs of the bar scene & mixology, even perfecting his ability to blend in.

The irony of serving drinks to unsuspecting patrons while hunting a killer wasn't lost on him, but he was driven by a sole purpose: avenge his sister like he had promised himself.

Within the next 4 months, Kian immersed himself in the bar culture, forming connections with not only the staff, but also the regulars. He observed Jack from a distance, taking careful notes on his interactions. Jack was charming, a master manipulator who could make anyone feel special for a fleeting moment. Kian felt a knot of tension in his stomach each time Jack's eyes flickered toward a new target, knowing he had to remain vigilant.

Then there was Sera Hale. When he first met her at The Twisted Tree, she was a quiet mystery. A regular, her usual order was either an espresso martini, light, or a whiskey neat, depending on the week she'd had. Kian didn't know much, just that she had a way of standing out without trying. Her tough exterior made it clear that she didn't let people in easily, yet he could immediately sense she was always ready for whatever came her way. But beneath that strength, he sensed something more-something hidden and painful.

She wasn't the type of woman who was loud or demanding attention, but her presence was undeniable. A dangerously beautiful woman with a fierce aura, she unknowingly commanded attention just by being there. There was no need for her to try-it was the way she moved, the way she held herself, that spoke volumes. To most, she was just another face in the bar, but to Kian, she stood out like a warning, a force of nature wrapped in mystery.

Kian didn't know yet that she was a cop, or what kind of life had shaped her, but the weight of her energy pulled him in, making him want to understand the woman behind the guarded look. There was a quiet strength about her that drew him in-not because she sought to impress anyone, but because she seemed to carry something heavy, something she refused to let surface. And in that moment, Kian couldn't help but wonder what secrets Sera Hale was holding onto, and why he felt so drawn to unravel them.

He watched, as she moved through the crowd with ease, her eyes sharp and alert, scanning the bar as if searching for trouble. There was something about her that struck a chord deep within him, a mix of admiration and concern. As he watched her, Kian realized she was more than just another patron; she was a kindred spirit, someone who understood the darkness lurking beneath the surface.

But with each passing encounter, Kian's protective instincts kicked in. He couldn't let Sera become Jack's next victim, yet warning her would compromise his mission. Torn between his duty and his growing feelings for her, Kian wrestled with his conscience. He was falling for Sera, and the thought both thrilled and terrified him.

Present Day

Kian stood behind the bar, wiping down the counter as the last customers filtered out. Even though Sera had already left, his mind was still racing from the kiss he shared with her. The softness of her lips lingered on his, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something monumental had shifted between them. But the thrill was quickly overshadowed by the darkness of his reality.

He checked his watch, noting she had left only five minutes ago. If I leave now, I can catch up to her and walk her the rest of the way, he thought, a protective instinct igniting within him.

Quickly, he finished cleaning up the bar, his movements fueled by urgency. He pushed the rag aside and stepped out from behind the counter, glancing around to ensure the bar was empty before slipping through the door into the cool night air. The bustling streets of Portland hummed with life, but Kian's focus narrowed to one person: Sera.

As he jogged down the sidewalk, his heart raced-not just from the physical exertion but from the weight of what he was about to do. He had crossed a line by kissing her, and now he was willing to risk his cover for her safety.

What if Jack is out there tonight? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Kian's gut twisted as he imagined her walking alone, vulnerable to the very threat he was sworn to eliminate. He couldn't let that happen. He rounded a corner, his eyes scanning the street ahead, and there she was-her silhouette framed by the streetlights, walking briskly toward the precinct.

"Sera!" he called, hoping to catch her attention.

She turned, surprise flashing across her face. "Kian? What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't let you walk alone," he replied, closing the distance between them. The tension in the air shifted, a mix of concern and something deeper, unspoken, simmering beneath the surface.

"I appreciate it, but I can handle myself," she said, her tone firm but softening as she looked at him.

"I know you can, but that doesn't mean I'm okay with it," he shot back, the protectiveness in his voice betraying his growing feelings for her.

Sera raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Are you always this overprotective?"

"Only when it comes to you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

The moment stretched between them, the world fading away as he searched her gaze for understanding, and had found it. The warmth of their earlier kiss hung in the air, igniting something unspoken yet palpable. But the urgency of the situation loomed larger.

"Let me walk you the rest of the way," he said, his tone shifting to seriousness. "We don't know who's out here, and I'd rather be safe than sorry."

Sera hesitated, her resolve wavering as she glanced down the dimly lit street. "Alright, but I really don't want to be a burden."

"You're not a burden," Kian replied firmly, matching her stride as they continued toward the precinct. "You're worth protecting, and I'm not backing down from that."

As they walked side by side, Kian felt the weight of his dual life pressing on him. The undercover mission, the hunt for Jack, and now this burgeoning connection with Sera-it was a delicate balance, and he feared that one wrong move could tip it all into chaos. Yet with every step he took beside her, he couldn't help but feel that this was where he was meant to be, even if it put everything on the line.