Kerian stood on the balcony, the morning sun filtering through the trees. The air felt too still. Too calm.
He’d spent the last few weeks training again in secret — morning runs before dawn, late-night drills in the woods behind his cabin. The old instincts were coming back faster than he expected, though part of him had never really let them go.
Still, today felt different. There was a current under his skin, a hum in the air that told him something was closing in. He couldn’t explain it, but he could feel it.
Something’s wrong.
He turned sharply toward the treeline, every muscle in his body tense.
Then his phone buzzed.
“Jonathan?”
The voice on the other end was tight, urgent. “Kerian, we’re about ten miles out. Had a tail on us — we lost them, but it was close. You need to be ready.”
Kerian’s jaw clenched. “Who’s ‘we’?”
There was hesitation — just long enough for him to catch it.
“I’ll explain when we get there,” Jonathan said quickly. “But listen — this isn’t just about you anymore. They’ve found leverage.”
“What leverage?” Kerian demanded, already heading inside, scanning his surroundings, mentally mapping escape routes.
Jonathan’s silence said it all.
Kerian froze. “Catalina.”
“Stay put,” Jonathan said firmly. “We’re on our way.”
The line went dead.
Kerian’s chest tightened. A mix of fury and fear surged through him. Without a word, he grabbed the small black case from under his bed and flipped it open. Inside, his old tools of survival gleamed — his firearm, tactical blade, encrypted comms, and a worn photo tucked into the lid.
Catalina’s smile stared back at him.
“I won’t let them touch you,” he murmured.
---
A few miles away, the roar of an engine echoed through the forest road as Jonathan swerved sharply, gravel spraying behind them.
“Hold on!” he shouted, taking another hard turn as Erica steadied herself, eyes locked on the rearview mirror.
“They’re still behind us,” she said calmly, her tone steady despite the speed. “Black SUV, tinted windows — same model I clocked near the motel this morning. There’s at least three of them.”
“Persistent,” Jonathan muttered.
“Sloppy,” Erica corrected, loading her sidearm. “They’re trying too hard to look professional.”
Jonathan’s lips twitched into a grin. “You are his sister.”
Erica’s expression didn’t change, but a spark of pride lit in her eyes. “Let me handle this.”
She rolled down the window, leaned out just enough, and aimed for the SUV’s front tire. A single, precise shot rang out.
The SUV fishtailed violently, smoke pouring from under the hood as it spun off the road and crashed into the ditch.
Jonathan gave a low whistle. “Remind me not to argue with you.”
“Smart man,” she said, sitting back, expression unreadable. “Now step on it. We’re close.”
---
Meanwhile, at Vivienne’s house, Catalina’s breathing quickened as she backed toward the wall.
“W-what do you want from me?” she stammered.
The man took a step closer, his smirk widening. “You’ll find out soon enough. But for now, you’re coming with us.”
Before she could scream, he reached for her — but Catalina’s instincts kicked in. She grabbed the nearest thing within reach — a decorative vase — and smashed it across his arm.
He cursed, stumbling back, just as another man lunged forward. Catalina darted toward the kitchen, her heart pounding.
“Help!” she yelled, fumbling for her phone — but it slipped from her shaking hands, skidding across the tile.
“Grab her!” someone shouted.
She turned toward the back door — just as a loud crash echoed from the front of the house.
The sound of tires screeching.
A door slamming.
Then a familiar voice — low, controlled, and filled with fury.
“Let her go.”
Catalina froze.
Her eyes widened as Kerian stepped through the doorway, gun raised, every trace of warmth gone from his face.
The men hesitated — just long enough for him to fire a warning shot that shattered a picture frame inches from their heads.
“Now,” he said again, his tone deadly calm.
The two men exchanged looks before bolting for the back, crashing through the glass door in a panic.
Kerian’s gaze dropped to Catalina, trembling but unharmed. “Are you okay?”
She nodded slowly, still catching her breath. “You—you found me.”
“Always,” he said quietly.
He pulled her close, his arm wrapping protectively around her. For the first time, she felt the full weight of who he truly was — not just the man she loved, but the soldier, the survivor.
Outside, the sound of another vehicle approached fast.
Kerian raised his weapon again, but the car skidded to a stop and two figures jumped out — Jonathan and a woman with fierce eyes and Kerian’s same guarded expression.
She stopped short, taking him in. “Kerian…”
He frowned. “Do I know you?”
Erica swallowed hard, emotion flickering behind her resolve. “Not yet. But you will.”
Jonathan stepped forward. “We don’t have much time. They’ll regroup.”
Kerian nodded. “Then we move now.”
As he ushered Catalina toward the car, she glanced back at Vivienne’s shattered doorway — her stomach twisting with confusion and betrayal.
Whatever this was, it wasn’t over.
And deep down, she knew — something far bigger than all of them was about to begin.
YOU ARE READING
Curves For The Agent Cowboy
Romansa"I'll be right back.. I need to go and find out what's taking Nick so long. I'm thirsty!" With that being said she ignored the scared look on Catalina's face and walked away. Catalina watched her go and when she turned back around she was surprised...
