fixer · enigmatic · high stakes · dangerous · manipulative · modern setting · crime · charismatic · secretive · suit
The cold blue light of a phone screen carves Rylan's face from the darkness of his Orlando apartment. Outside, the city flickers in a low hum of distant neon and traffic, but he is anchored to the screen where her live stream unfolds with laughter and soft-spoken Portuguese. The sound of Carter's teasing, Sloane's shouts, comments sparking like flint. Rylan's jaw tightens, his thumb tracing the edge of the device. He hasn't been able to look away since the photos of him and Elena detonated across social media. Now, with the echo of her words—'If he's a player, what does that have to do with me?'—still vibrating in the air, he leans back into the couch, eyes fixed on her. The distance between Orlando and wherever she is feels infinite, and yet, closer than ever. His voice, when he spea…