Morning came slowly. The sun peeked through the blackout curtains, but neither of them moved. Jace lay perfectly still, staring at the ceiling. River was already awake. He hadn’t slept much. His body was still trained to listen, for movement, for danger, for the sound of something off.
He didn’t know what was more uncomfortable, sharing a bed with a man he was supposed to be faking a relationship with… or the fact that he hadn’t minded as much as he should have.
Jace didn’t snore. He didn’t toss or turn. He slept like someone who’d trained himself not to take up space. Controlled even in sleep. That bothered River more than it should’ve.
At exactly 6:00 a.m., Jace got up, went straight into his closet, and returned already dressed in a black button-down and fitted slacks like it was a uniform. In a way, it was.
“Sleep well?” Jace asked casually.
River shrugged. “You breathe too quietly.”
Jace gave him a look. “That’s the complaint?”
“I like knowing the person next to me is alive.”
Jace blinked. Then, just for a second, he smiled. “I’m told I sleep like I’m preparing for an ambush.”
River smirked faintly. “Fits your vibe.”
Downstairs, Sasha was already waiting with two coffees and a digital tablet loaded with chaos.
“We have three new headlines,” she said as they sat around the sleek kitchen island. “One of them is a fanfiction about your forbidden love. You’re apparently married in an alternate universe.”
“Delightful,” Jace muttered.
“You die dramatically in it,” she added. “River carries your body into the rain.”
River lifted his brows. “At least I’m strong in the fictional version.”
“Also, Crane called a surprise board meeting for tomorrow. He’s pushing the narrative that you’re distracted. Emotional. Unfit to lead.”
“I’m not surprised,” Jace said.
“He’s moving faster than expected,” Sasha added. “If we’re going to fight back, we need something powerful. Something bold.”
Jace sipped his coffee. “Like what?”
Sasha hesitated. “A public statement. Together, not just walking into a restaurant or looking cozy. You sit down, you talk about each other. You make it real.”
Jace stiffened. “No interviews.”
“You need this, Jace. If you don’t take control of the story, Crane will.”
River leaned back in his chair. “What would we even say?”
Sasha’s grin grew. “Leave that to me.”
She handed them each a folder. Inside were cue cards, talking points, a story she’d already crafted.
How they met.
How long they’d been “secretly” dating.
Why they kept it private.
Jace flipped through the pages. “You want us to memorize this?”
“Adjust it however you want, just make sure you agree on the details. The public loves consistency. If one of you says you met six months ago, and the other says it was eight, they’ll sniff out the lie.”
River sighed. “This just keeps getting worse.”
“No,” Sasha said, standing. “It’s just getting started. The interview’s in two days. The studio’s secure and for the love of God, wear something soft. Leather jackets and full suits scream billionaire robot.”
“I’m not wearing anything beige,” Jace muttered.
“Beige would kill your brand,” Sasha agreed. “But maybe a sweater, Cashmere. You need to look like you have emotions.”
She left, her heels clicking behind her.
Jace leaned forward, rubbing his temples. “I don’t do interviews. I don’t lie well.”
River looked at him. “You’re doing pretty well so far.”
Jace let out a humorless breath. “I built my entire life on staying invisible. Now I’m the center of a fake love story and a corporate takeover.”
“You want to back out?”
“No.” Jace looked up, jaw set. “Crane doesn’t get my company.”
River stood and stretched. “Then we practice.”
Jace looked at him. “Practice what?”
River grabbed a chair and spun it around, sitting with his arms folded over the back. “Let’s pretend. Right now.”
“You’re serious.”
“Dead serious. Come on. I’m your fake boyfriend. Woo me.”
Jace stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “I don’t woo.”
River smirked. “Clearly, but try.”
Jace shifted awkwardly. “I’m not going to say anything ridiculous.”
“Just answer questions. How’d we meet?”
Jace’s eyes narrowed. “You tackled an intruder in my kitchen.”
“No,” River said. “Not the truth. The lie.”
Jace paused. “I hired you for a private event as security. You stayed late, we talked.”
River nodded. “And?”
Jace hesitated. “You said something that made me laugh.”
River raised an eyebrow. “You laugh?”
“Apparently,” Jace said dryly. “That’s what we’re telling people.”
River leaned in slightly. “Then what?”
Jace’s voice lowered. “Then I asked if you wanted to stay. You said yes.”
River’s smile faded. There was something in Jace’s voice that didn’t feel rehearsed anymore.
He swallowed. “Not bad.”
“Your turn,” Jace said quietly. “What made you fall for me?”
River opened his mouth, then closed it. He hadn’t expected that question. The answer that popped into his mind wasn’t fake.
“I saw someone who needed saving,” he said slowly. “Even if you’d never admit it.”
Jace didn’t blink. “And you think that’s love?”
River tilted his head. “No. But it’s how it started.”
Jace’s breath hitched. “You’re better at this than I thought.”
“I’ve watched enough late-night interviews,” River muttered. “They always have that one line that sells it. The one that makes people believe.”
The air between them changed. Neither of them looked away.
Then River’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out, frowning. “Unknown number.”
Jace watched him.
River answered. “Hale.”
There was silence on the other end.
Then a distorted voice crackled through.
“You’re protecting the wrong man. Walk away, or end up like your unit.”
River went still, completely still.
Jace stood. “What is it?”
River didn’t answer. The line clicked dead.
Jace took a step forward. “River?”
River stared at the screen, his face unreadable. Then he looked up, his eyes hard and haunted.
“Whoever’s targeting you... they know who I am.”
