River didn't wait for Jace's reaction. He turned, walked out of the room, and closed the door behind him.

Jace stood there in silence. He wasn't used to being spoken to like that. People didn't talk back, not in his world. Not unless they were trying to impress him or destroy him.

River didn't seem interested in either.

Sasha walked in a few minutes later, holding her phone and a tablet at once. She looked exhausted and thrilled at the same time.

"You two are trending again. And I mean everywhere. Twitter, TikTok, the news. The world thinks you're in love."

"I don't like lying," Jace said.

"Too late. You're already in it. And honestly? It's working. Investors are backing off. Crane's been quiet all day. You're not just a CEO now, Jace. You're the mysterious, emotionally unavailable tech genius who fell for his bodyguard. People are obsessed."

Jace rubbed his temple. "This is ridiculous."

"No, this is genius. We keep the story tight. No interviews yet. Just appearances, one dinner, one photo together. You don't even have to touch him."

He didn't say anything.

Sasha tapped her screen. "I'll have a schedule ready by morning. For now, just stay in the penthouse. No surprise moves."

"I never make surprise moves."

"That's exactly why this fake romance is gold," she said, grinning. "It's the first unexpected thing you've ever done."

When she left, the silence returned.

Jace stared out the window. New York looked smaller from up here. It was quiet, clean. Nothing like the chaos inside his own life.

He didn't like being touched, or watched, or questioned. But River Hale made him feel all three things at once.

And Jace didn't know what to do with that.

Down the hall, River unpacked in the guest room. He moved with quiet efficiency, but his mind wouldn't stop spinning.

Pretend boyfriend? Fake relationship? This wasn't what he signed up for.

He didn't trust rich men. He'd worked for enough of them. They used people like tools. And Jace Maddox, no matter how calm or polished he looked, was still one of them.

River had agreed to this setup for one reason: the attack wasn't random. The man had military training. He moved with purpose. And River knew what that meant, this wasn't some headline scandal. This was something darker.

He wasn't going to fall for anyone, but he wasn't walking away either. Not until he figured out what was really going on.

The next morning, Jace stood in front of his wardrobe, staring at rows of tailored black suits.

River leaned on the doorframe, watching him.

"You planning to dress like a funeral again?"

"This is how I dress."

"You want people to believe you're in love? Maybe try not looking like you're headed to a boardroom meeting with the Grim Reaper."

Jace raised a brow. "Are you always this rude?"

"Only when I'm not being paid to flirt."

Jace looked at him carefully. "Is that what you're doing now?"

River shrugged. "Depends. Are you buying dinner tonight?"

Jace turned back to his suits. "I don't do dinner dates."

"Guess you do now. Smile and chew, Maddox."

He pulled out a slightly softer grey suit, holding it against himself in the mirror. "This better?"

River smirked. "It says 'emotionally repressed' instead of 'completely dead inside.' So, progress."

"You really don't care who you offend, do you?"

"Not really. People usually shoot at me before they ask for manners."

Jace's eyes flicked to him in the mirror. "You've been shot?"

River didn't blink. "Twice."

Jace turned fully. "Where?"

River lifted his shirt slightly, revealing a scar on his side. "Here and here," he said, pointing to his shoulder. "Afghanistan. Long time ago."

Jace didn't reply, but something in his expression shifted.

"I'm not some reckless thug," River added. "I know what I'm doing. And I know danger when I see it."

"I never said you didn't."

"You didn't have to."

Sasha's voice echoed down the hall. "You two better be ready. Cameras will be outside the restaurant by six. Smile like you mean it, or at least like you're not planning each other's murder."

River muttered under his breath. "This is going to be a disaster."

Later that evening, Jace stepped out of the car into flashing lights and shouted questions. River followed closely behind, one hand resting lightly on his back. It was for show. For protection. But it still made Jace tense.

They sat across from each other at the private table. Waiters hovered nearby, photographers were outside. Every move was being watched.

Jace picked at his food. River drank water and stared at him.

"You hate this, don't you?" River asked.

"Every second."

"Good. At least we're honest."

They were silent for a moment, the clink of glasses and the occasional camera flash filling the air.

"You don't do relationships?" River asked suddenly.

Jace hesitated. "No. I don't...function well in them."

"Because of your schedule? Or your control issues?"

Jace's eyes narrowed. "You don't hold back, do you?"

"Not my style. Besides, pretending to be your boyfriend means I should know what I'm pretending to deal with."

"I don't let people close," Jace said quietly. "It's safer that way."

River leaned back, watching him. "Safer for who?"

Jace sighed. "You said something last night."

River's expression didn't change. "Yeah?"

"You said you don't fall for men like me."

River met his eyes.

"I meant it."

"Why?"

River leaned in, his voice low and stern.

"Because men like you get people like me killed."

Jace didn't look away.

River's words settled in the space between them like an unspoken history, sharp and heavy. The restaurant noise faded around them. Jace had never been good at reading people, but even he could tell River hadn't just said that to sound dramatic. He meant it.

"Then why are you still here?" Jace asked softly.

River sat back, the candlelight catching the faint scar on his jaw. "Because someone's trying to hurt you. And I want to know why."

Jace studied him. There was no false charm, no empty flattery. River was too real, too blunt and maybe that was why the world already believed the lie. It was easier to think Jace Maddox had fallen for a man like River Hale than to believe he could ever be truly alone.

Their plates sat untouched.

Outside, the photo ops had already been taken, Jace walking in with River's hand on his lower back, a brief glance exchanged as they entered the private dining room. Sasha had probably already approved the captions.

Jace reached for his glass of water. "You've worked security before?"

River gave a small nod. "Private contracts, mostly low-risk."

"And before that?"

River's gaze darkened slightly. "Army. Six years."

"What happened?"

"Wrong mission. Wrong people. Wrong choices." He picked up his fork but didn't eat. "Got me discharged. Officially, it was dishonor. Unofficially, it was a cover-up."

Jace was quiet for a moment. "You lost someone."

River stiffened, just slightly. "Yeah."

There was a pause before Jace spoke again. "A teammate?"

River's jaw tensed. "More than that."

"I'm sorry," Jace said, and for once, he meant it without hesitation.

River gave a small nod. "You don't strike me as the sentimental type."

"I'm not. I just... understand what it means to lose someone and still feel the echo of it."

River leaned forward a little. "You don't sleep well, do you?"

Jace blinked. "What makes you say that?"

"You flinch when doors open. You check your reflection twice before you walk into a room. And your eyes have that look."

"What look?"

"The one people get when they don't trust the ground beneath them."

Jace's throat felt tight. He didn't know why he asked. He hated personal conversations. But something about River made him curious. Made him want to understand.

He cleared his throat. "I wasn't always like this either."

River looked up. "Like what?"

"Distant, obsessive, controlled."

"You seem like a guy who's been that way all his life."

Jace almost smiled. "It got worse after my father died."

River leaned a little. "Suicide, right?"

"That's what they said."

"You don't believe it?"

Jace shook his head. "He was careful. Smart, cold, maybe, but not weak. He left no note, no warning. One day he was gone, and the next day, I was CEO."

"You think someone killed him."

"I know someone did. I just can't prove it. Yet."

River didn't respond for a long time. Then he asked, "You think it's connected to what's happening now?"

"I think someone's playing a long game. First my father. Now me."

River exhaled slowly. "You think it's Crane?"

"Could be. But if it is, he's playing it too clean. Nothing obvious. Just pressure. Media hits. Quiet buyouts. And now this, someone breaking into my home like it was a joke."

River tapped his fingers against the table. "Then we find out who benefits if you break. Who's waiting to take your place if you fall."

A waiter walked past their table. Jace straightened his posture, putting his calm, controlled mask back on.

When the dinner was over, they stood side by side as Sasha's car pulled up. Jace glanced toward the flashing lights. Reporters were shouting, cameras were rolling. The lie they had agreed on was alive and breathing.

River opened the car door for him. Jace paused before getting in.

"You don't have to act when no one's watching."

River gave a small smirk. "I'm not doing it for the cameras."

That silenced him.

They rode back in silence. River sat stiffly, arms crossed, eyes on the road ahead. Jace kept stealing glances, wondering how this man, who seemed built from scar tissue and anger, had become the face of his fake romance.

Back at the penthouse, Sasha was already waiting inside.

"That was beautiful," she said, scrolling through headlines. "People are eating it up. The stoic billionaire and his guarded protector. It's romantic, tragic, and mysterious. You're gold right now."

Jace took off his coat and tossed it on the couch. "Let's just hope it works long enough to keep Crane quiet."

River leaned on the wall, arms folded. "And if it doesn't?"

"Then I lose the company."

Sasha looked up sharply. "That won't happen. Not if we stay ahead. But we need consistency, more appearances. A story. You two should stay in the same room now. Not just for the press but for your safety."

River raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Jace didn't flinch. "Fine."

River let out a forced laugh. "You want me to move into your room?"

"Unless you'd rather I move into yours."

Sasha clapped her hands. "Perfect. Tomorrow, we'll leak a photo of the shared space. Just something subtle. Maybe Jace in a hoodie for once."

"Absolutely not," Jace said.

"Fine. A robe, something soft."

River was trying not to laugh. Jace hated that he noticed.

Later that night, Jace sat on the edge of the bed while River dropped his bag on the floor. The bedroom was massive, quiet and minimal, just how Jace liked it. There was plenty of space. Still, the air felt tight.

"You can take the left side," Jace offered.

River kicked off his boots. "You don't have to pretend to be polite now."

"I'm not pretending."

River pulled off his shirt, exposing scars that looked old but violent. Jace tried not to stare. He didn't ask. River didn't offer.

"Do they all ask?" Jace asked suddenly.

River looked over. "Ask what?"

"About the scars. About what you've been through."

"Most people just stare. Then pretend they didn't. You're the first person who asked like you actually gave a damn."

"I don't know what I give a damn about," Jace muttered.

"That's the problem with people like you," River said. "You feel everything, but you pretend like you don't."

They both got into bed, fully clothed, backs to each other and the silence stretched.

Then River's voice cut through the dark.

"You said someone's playing a long game."

Jace's eyes stayed on the ceiling. "Yes."

"Then we need to figure out who."

"I'm trying."

River paused. "Let me help."

Jace turned his head slightly. "Why?"

River's voice was low. "Because if you fall, I fall with you."

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."