The SWAT Captain's Second ChanceChapter 2

Driven by pure terror, Piper committed fully to the lie.

“I’m just here for moral support,” she declared, her tone dripping with righteous indignation. “Nora’s boyfriend… God, don't even get me started on him. An absolute deadbeat. Pure trash.”

She spoke with so much theatrical conviction that she didn't notice Tyler’s expression hardening into stone.

His eyes shifted from his sister and settled squarely on me. The weight of his gaze felt like lead, pinning me to the floor and making every nerve ending in my body scream.

“She has a boyfriend?” Tyler asked, his tone deceptively casual.

“Oh yeah!” Piper chimed in, digging the grave deeper. “I’ve met him. Complete dirtbag.”

Tyler didn't say another word.

The atmosphere between us turned suffocatingly cold. Just as I felt my knees might buckle under the sheer tension, heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway. Another officer in tactical gear jogged over.

“Captain. Young is awake in recovery.”

Tyler’s face tightened with professional urgency. “On my way.”

With the situation pressing, he didn't have the luxury to interrogate us further. He gave us one last indecipherable look, pivoted on his heel, and walked away.

Piper let out a breath so massive it sounded like a deflating tire.

Turning to see me standing there looking utterly shell-shocked, her eyes welled up with dramatic gratitude. “Nora, you are my literal guardian angel. Seriously. Let’s find an empty corner so I can get down on my knees and bow to you, or my conscience won't let me sleep tonight.”

A faint, breathless laugh escaped me.

Over the years, I had taken the fall for her countless times. What was one more? As Piper always liked to say, What’s the point of having a best friend if she won't help you commit a little perjury?

I nudged her forehead with my finger. “Shut up and go see the doctor.”

Sensitive as she was, she noticed the slight tremor in my posture and patted my arm reassuringly. “Don't worry about it. You and my brother barely know each other—he’s not going to care about your love life. We just needed to get through this moment. I’ll come clean to him soon, I promise.”

The nurse called her name, and Piper hurried into the exam room with her paperwork.

I stood alone in the sterile hallway, staring at the empty corridor where Tyler had disappeared, her words ringing in my ears:

“You and my brother barely know each other…”

A quiet, helpless sigh slipped past my lips.

Barely knew him?

God. I knew him intimately.