The Darkest Hour

Chapter 1: The Price of Trust

The rain was coming down hard, the kind that slaps the pavement in a steady, miserable rhythm. The precinct steps glistened under the slick city lights, and the whole place looked exactly as it had the last time I was here. Like a trap waiting to spring. But Captain Morris had called me personally, practically begging. "You're the only one who can solve this," he'd said. The bastard.

Inside, the precinct smelled like stale coffee and damp uniforms. The desk sergeant barely glanced up. "They're waiting upstairs," he muttered, too preoccupied to spare me more than a grunt. Not that I cared—everyone here knew me, or at least thought they did. I'd spent years tracking killers, knowing their minds better than my own. It had been my life once. But that life came with a cost.

I pushed open the briefing room door, immediately feeling eyes on me, sizing me up. But one man didn't bother sizing me up—no, he just stared, his dark eyes assessing in a way that felt almost lazy. Like he'd already made up his mind about me and was just here for the ride.

Damon Pierce. I'd heard the rumors about him. Former convict turned PI, the kind who'd work for anyone with enough cash and a problem no one else wanted. He didn't look like he belonged here; leather jacket, hands stuffed in his pockets like he owned the place. There was something about him that said trouble in big, red flashing lights.

"Agent Malone," Morris greeted me. "Thanks for coming."

I nodded, trying not to look at Pierce. "So, what's this big emergency?"

The captain didn't answer right away. Instead, he pulled out a photo, his face grim as he slid it across the table. "We have a pattern of murders. Victims found in their homes, no signs of forced entry, and each with a personal message left at the scene."

I leaned in, expecting the usual scrawled threat or taunt. But when I saw the words, I felt a chill crawl up my spine. I remember you, Olivia.

Well, isn't that just charming.

"Seems you've made quite an impression on someone, Agent Malone." Damon's voice was all dark amusement, the type that made me want to smack that smirk right off his face.

"Is this a joke to you?" I shot back, barely keeping my voice civil. "Because I'd hate to see what you find amusing."

"Not at all." He gave me an infuriating grin, one brow arched. "But I have to wonder what you did to leave such a mark."

"Why are you here?" I snapped, turning to Captain Morris. "Last I checked, the department didn't hire PIs to handle homicide investigations."

"He's here because I asked him to be," Morris said, clearly annoyed by the back-and-forth. "Damon's been investigating similar murders on his own. I think his insights might help."

Of course he did. Morris always did have a soft spot for strays and lost causes.

"Great," I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice. "Because this is exactly the kind of help I was hoping for."

Damon took a step closer, his gaze flicking over me in a way that felt entirely too casual. "Let's get one thing straight," he said, voice low. "I'm not here to babysit you. I'm here because there's a killer out there, and you happen to be his type."

I narrowed my eyes, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "And let's get one thing straight: I don't trust you, and I don't need you. If you get in my way, you'll regret it."

Damon's smirk didn't waver, but his eyes were sharp, calculating. "Good. We understand each other, then."

Morris clapped his hands, clearly eager to break the tension. "Enough, both of you. We've got a killer to catch, and you two are the best shot we have. Work together, or we'll all be at a loss."

I glared at Damon, refusing to blink. He didn't flinch either, just gave me a slow, infuriatingly confident smile.

"Guess that makes us partners," he drawled.

I turned on my heel, heading out the door without a word. I could feel Damon's eyes on me as I went, the prickling sensation of being watched by someone who enjoyed the game just a little too much. Fine. Let him watch. But if he thought I'd give him an inch, he was in for one hell of a surprise.

4o