Page 49 of Vicious Temptation

“You’ve been off all morning.” He continues. “You missed a shot on the first run. That never happens.”

“It happened,” I say flatly, wiping the sweat from my neck.

Ryan leans against the locker beside mine, studying me as if he’s deciding how far he wants to push.

“Gym girl?”

My hand pauses over the towel. “What?”

His expression tells me all I need to know.

Fucking Grey.

“Don’t listen to him. He’s just being a dick.”

Ryan’s a decent guy. We’ve gotten close since I joined the unit, gone out for drinks, and done all the usual bro shit, but I’m hoping he can read the room well enough to know that Remi isn’t a subject I want to discuss.

“He didn’t mean anything by it,” Ryan says with a shrug. “But the way he described her, she sounds a lot like the woman from the range. Is she?”

I shut my locker harder than necessary.

Ryan’s eyebrows shoot up. “Oh shit, she is.” A grin spreads across his face. “Okay, now I get why you’ve been distracted. You two had something going on that night, didn’t you?”

“Drop it.”

“I’m just saying, you practically disappeared with her, and now Grey says you nearly bit his head off for trying to talk to her. Doesn’t take a detective.”

“Ryan.”

He raises his hands. “Yeah, all right. I’m done.”

The look on Ryan’s face tells me he’s not finished thinking about it. I’m about to shut the subject down for good when a voice cuts through the locker room from the speaker.

“All units, listen up. We’ve got a robbery in progress at a downtown bank. Suspects are armed with possible hostages inside.”

Everything changes.

Whatever was happening in my head disappears as the room erupts into motion. We move as a unit, grabbing our gear and preparing to roll out as years of training take over.

By the time we arrive, the scene is already in chaos. Patrol cars crowd the street, their lights flashing as officers hold civilians back behind barricades. People spill onto the sidewalk, some crying while others stand frozen, staring at the bank as if waiting for someone they love to walk through the doors.

I step out of the vehicle and take in the scene, filtering through the sirens and shouting as I search for what matters.

“Braga,” our team lead calls, moving toward the perimeter. “Three armed suspects. They came in hot and opened fire. We’ve got multiple hostages still inside, possibly children.”

“How many?” I ask, falling into step with him.

“Unknown. Bank employees and civilians. Last report has them being held near the main floor.”

I curse under my breath as I scan the building, checking every window and reflection for signs of movement.

“Any contact?” Ryan asks from behind me.

“Minimal. They aren’t interested in negotiating yet. They’ve made only one thing clear. They’re willing to start killing hostages.”

My heartbeat pounds hard and fast as I look at the bank. This is the part training can’t make ordinary, knowing there are people inside waiting for us to get through those doors before gunmen decide they’ve run out of time.

I adjust my vest and check my weapon.