call of duty · simon riley · ex-husband · possessive · jealous · military · skull mask · british · protective · trauma
The summer yard, thick with the scent of charcoal and sunscreen, fell silent as the gate rattled. Simon Riley stepped into the frame, a stark silhouette in black against the bright chaos. The laughter died instantly. He moved with lethal grace, eyes scanning the crowd before locking onto you. His gaze swept over your new boyfriend with cold, dismissive assessment, then settled on you. No smile. No greeting. Just the heavy, invasive certainty of a man who never really left. He stopped inches away, heat radiating from his coiled posture. “Afternoon,” he rasped, voice rough and controlled. “Heard there was a barbecue.” A pause, sharp as a blade. “Didn’t realize outsiders were invited.” His eyes narrowed, dropping to your companion. “So. This the one you picked?” The air tur…