#za chapters

if looks could kill - ines bettencourt

summary𞠬: two spies, one mission. only one can walk away— unless they choose to walk together.

warnings: violence (implied/threatened) weapons, espionage themes, tense situations / threat of death deception / betrayal

pairing: x oc

tags: @patscorner @kmoneymartini @authentic-girl03 @bueckersverse @vamptizm

spy au 1 2 4

the last notes of the waltz faded into silence, replaced by polite applause. ines leaned in, her breath warm on summer’s neck.

“north wing. now,” she whispered.

then she slipped away, disappearing through an ornate hallway beneath a painted arch.

“connie,” summer murmured, already moving, “she’s headed to the target.”

“stay sharp,” came the reply. “we still don’t know her angle.”

summer’s heels echoed softly down the corridor, the murmur of music fading behind her. she reached for the dagger strapped to her thigh—just in case.

the study doors were already ajar. candlelight spilled into the hall.

inside, ines stood in the center of the room, her back to summer. before her sat a man—gray suit, crimson tie, face slack with something too still.

too perfect.

“don’t,” ines said softly, without turning. “it’s not him.”

summer hesitated in the doorway, her grip tightening on the handle. “what?”

ines turned slowly. her expression was unreadable. “it’s a decoy. facial structure’s close, but the mole’s on the wrong side. and he’s wearing contacts over prosthetic lenses. look closer.”

summer stepped in, carefully circling the chair. the man didn’t move.

a mannequin. hyper-realistic. but not real.

“why the hell would someone plant a fake?” summer asked.

“because we’re the real targets,” ines replied. “this entire op is compromised.”

static buzzed in summer’s earpiece.

“summer—get out of there. abort. abort. we’ve lost visual on your position and the comms are—”

dead air.

summer ripped the piece out. “jammed.”

ines gave a grim nod. “we were lured here. both sides.”

a slow, dawning silence filled the study.

summer’s eyes flicked to the lone painting on the wall—a woman in black, watching with an empty gaze. something shifted in her gut.

“you knew,” summer said. “you knew it wasn’t him, but you still led me here.”

ines didn’t flinch. “i needed to see if you’d follow.”

their eyes locked—sharp, searching, something old and fragile blooming between the tension.

footsteps echoed from the hall.

“time’s up,” ines murmured, pulling a flash drive from her coat and tossing it to summer. “take it. it’s the only real intel in this entire building.”

summer caught it. “what’s on it?”

“the list. agents marked for disposal. including me. including you.”

another beat of silence.

“what now?” summer asked.

ines’s smile was grim. “now we run.”

a crash from the hall—someone breaching the ballroom doors.

summer looked at ines. no disguise. no lies. just chaos, choices, and a thousand buried truths between them.

she nodded.

they ran.

if looks could kill - ines bettencourt

summary𞠬: two spies, one mission. only one can walk away— unless they choose to walk together.

warnings: gun violence, injury, blood, emotional distress, themes of betrayal and sacrifice, action/thriller intensity, implied loss, open-ended fate

pairing: xoc

tags: @patscorner @kmoneymartini @authentic-girl03 @vamptizm

spy au 1 2 3 4

the cabin was quiet. too quiet.

ines sat near the window, gun in her lap, eyes scanning the treeline as dawn broke through the woods in pale gold slivers. summer lay on the couch, arm bandaged, body still. for the first time in weeks, her face looked peaceful.

ines watched her.

she wasn’t supposed to care. not about her. not about the girl from the south side with a scar above her collarbone and too much fire in her eyes.

they were supposed to walk away after this.

but ines wasn’t sure she could.

a soft click too sharp for the old wood, cut through the silence.

ines froze.

then she was on her feet.

“summer,” she whispered, rushing to her side. “we’re not alone.”

summer’s eyes opened immediately. her hand reached for the pistol beneath the blanket. “how many?”

ines glanced out the window. “three men. west side uniforms.”

summer’s breath caught. “fuck”

ines nodded grimly. “they don’t want either of us walking away.”

“how’d they find us?”

“doesn’t matter. we have to go. now.”

gunfire shattered the window before the sentence ended. glass exploded inward as bullets tore through the wooden walls. summer rolled off the couch, hissing in pain but moving fast. ines returned fire through the broken window.

“garage,” ines yelled. “there’s a back door.”

they ran, ducking and weaving, gunshots ringing through the quiet morning. the cabin groaned under the assault, decades-old wood splintering with every shot.

they burst into the garage, and there, under a tarp, two motorcycles. black. sleek. fast.

“when did you have time to bring these here?” summer asked, half-laughing.

“a magician never reveals her secrets, princess,” ines replied, tossing her a helmet.

summer climbed on, gritting her teeth against the pain. “that’s crazy.”

they kicked up gravel as they tore out of the garage, the sound of engines loud and hungry beneath the rising sun. bullets chased them into the trees.

but they were gone.

into the blur of morning mist and adrenaline.

into the final stretch of the game.

they didn’t look back.

couldn’t afford to.

not with the black vans barreling down the mountain roads behind them, not with gunmetal slicing through the trees like angry bees.

summer yelled against the loud sound of the motorcycle engines.

“half a mile to the drop point. we just have to make it.”

ines nodded even though summer couldn’t see. she tightened her grip on the handlebars, eyes sharp, breath shallow.

the sun had climbed higher now, bleeding gold over the treetops. the world felt unreal, like maybe if they made it to the clearing, they’d get to breathe. start over.

like maybe this was the kind of story that could have a happy ending.

“when we get out,” summer said through the wind, “i have something to give you.”

ines almost smiled.

“me too.”

but the words had barely left her lips before it happened.

a flash of silver.

the whine of a sniper round.

then a sickening thud.

summer’s bike swerved violently, veering off the dirt path, flipping once, then crashing into the underbrush.

“summer!” ines screamed, braking hard, skidding sideways, gravel burning her skin as she dropped to the ground.

she ran. didn’t think. didn’t breathe.

just ran.

summer lay crumpled beside the wreck, blood blooming on her shirt, one hand still curled around something.

ines dropped to her knees, grabbing her, shaking her.

“no, no, no, look at me. stay with me, summer. please.”

summer coughed, a weak smile flickering across her lips.

“you’re so pretty,” she whispered, voice trembling like a radio cutting out.

ines let out a broken laugh, one hand cradling the back of summer’s head.

“shut up, you’re bleeding, you idiot. we’re not done yet, remember?”

“i know,” summer breathed. her eyes fluttered.

ines blinked back tears. “you said you had something to give me?”

summer nodded faintly, fingers twitching around the small object in her palm.

she tried to lift it, but her strength was gone.

ines took it gently.

it was a chain.

a locket.

scratched and bloodied.

inside, was a folded piece of paper etched in shaky handwriting, “find me again. in another life.”

ines stared at it, unable to speak. her lips parted, but it was too late.

summer’s hand fell away.

her eyes stilled.

ines didn’t scream.

she couldn’t.

it was a silence louder than gunfire.

behind them, the engines grew louder again.

ines stood slowly, face streaked with dirt and tears, and picked up summer’s gun.

her eyes, once warm, turned cold.

she slipped the locket into her jacket.

and without a sound, turned and disappeared into the trees. alone.

if looks could kill - ines bettencourt

summary𞠬: two spies, one mission. only one can walk away— unless they choose to walk together.

warnings: N/A

pairing: x oc

tags: @patscorner @pbueckerslover @cosmopretty @st4rrzynight @authentic-girl03

spy au 2 3 4

the sound of sirens rang through the empty halls, “turn right!” connie said into the earpiece as she nodded her head as she took the directions connie told her, “summer you’re not alone, another dot just appeared on the screen they’re five feet behind you!” summer stopped in her tracks and listened carefully for the sound of footsteps.

the sound of heavy breathing could be heard from the end of the hallway, “con tell me the closest hiding spot” she whispered pressing her ear piece “two doors to the right” connie replied as the sound of the keyboard clicking was heard from her end.

sliding into the storage unit summer slightly peeked through a small crack in the door as a girl approximately 5’9 her back towards the girl in the storage unit, in all black, she spoke into a bracelet “all clear sir the target isn’t here” she left towards the other end of the hallway, sneaking out of the room summer quickly change her black clothes to a long red dress, she let her hair down, her long black hair falling into loose curls. walking back to the venue she grabbed a champagne glass from the passing waiter, taking a seat by the open bar.

eyes scanning the room, “who am i supposed to be looking for?” summer whispered into the earpiece.

frantic typing is heard before connie’s voice rang “you’re looking for jeremy paterson, he has brown hair and brown eyes” she nodded her head, she stood up mingling around before she accidentally bumped into someone, “oh my i’m so sorry!” she replied before looking up at a girl with a beautiful smile “it’s okay don’t worry, i’m anna” she replied “i’m um lele” summer responded, as an agent fake names were a must.

-

“lele seriously?” snorted connie as she sipped her coffee in front of summer, “well i couldn’t be like ‘hi im summer a secret agent who’s here on a mission!’ now what kind of first impression is that?” sighed summer as she let her head fall onto the table.

“well did you at least get this anna girls digits?” asked connie as she looked at the sorrowful summer, “no, she was too beautiful for me to not stumble over my words” mumbled summer into the table “oh my gosh, let’s hope you find this girl soon and actually get to ask her out! i can’t deal with being like this because you fumbled”

“stop i already feel bad as it is! i mean we spent the whole night talking even danced before calling it a night, yea sure i still kept my mind on the mission but with a girl like her in front of me was difficult.” sighed summer as she placed her chin on her palm. “anyway have any new details about the mission come in yet?”

“actually yea, you have to go to a gala tonight hosted by our targets parents.” she said moving her computer to show her the information, “okay, what’s the attire?” “masquerade” she said biting her donut.

“does that mean we have to go-” “shopping? yes” finished connie as she closed her laptop.

-

“i swear my hair is gonna be fried by the end of this mission” sighed summer as connie stood behind her curling iron in hand “well beauty comes with a lot of consequences, im almost done anyway!” she said letting go of the last strand of hair and hairspraying the hell out of it.

“now we’re just missing the red lipstick and then your mask and we’re done!” connie says as she gets the lipstick from her vanity and grabbing the mask from her nightstand, “alright all done!” she says stepping back and admiring her work.

“alright here’s your mask and earpiece i’ll be in the van giving you instructions and letting you know if anyone is suspicious or what not” she said giving summer her things.

“alright time to head out” said summer as she put on her mask and put in her earpiece. as she stepped into the mansion she looked around mapping out the place absolutely star struck by the beautiful scenery and how well the house was built the cream marble of the floor feeling smooth on her feet. as she looked up she saw those beautiful brown eyes, the same eyes she saw the other night.

“lele?” the girl asked looking at her with a soft gaze.

if looks could kill - ines bettencourt

summary𞠬: two spies, one mission. only one can walk away— unless they choose to walk together.

warnings: N/A (?)

pairing: x oc

tags: @patscorner @cherryswisherz @cosmopretty @authentic-girl03

spy au 1 3 4

summer’s breath caught in her throat. she hadn’t expected to see anna again—especially not here, at a mission-critical event where mistakes meant more than just heartbreak.

“hey,” summer managed, her voice steady despite the chaos in her chest. she smiled, willing herself to stay in character. “small world.”

anna tilted her head, her lips quirking into a grin. “or fate,” she said lightly, but her gaze lingered—curious, questioning.

“summer,” connie’s voice buzzed through the earpiece, low and urgent. “this isn’t a coincidence. facial recognition is flagging anna as ines bettencourt. secret agent from the north side, she’s on the same mission as you.”

summer’s stomach dropped. she kept her smile, even as her heart rate spiked. “are you sure?” she murmured under her breath, eyes still locked on who she believed was anna.

“positive. she’s dangerous. get what intel you can—carefully.”

ines stepped closer, a twinkle in her eyes as she leaned in, her voice just above a whisper. “you clean up well, lele.”

summer laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “so do you, anna. or should i say... ines?”

the air shifted.

anna’s smile faltered—just for a second. then it returned, sharper this time. “so you know who i am?”

“not hard to remember once you know every agent in town.” summer took a sip of her drink, her mind racing.

“summer,” connie warned, “she’s trying to extract you. you need to get to the second floor—north wing. target is in the study.”

ines leaned in. “dance with me,” she said but it was more of a command.

summer blinked. “what?”

“just one. for good measures.” she held out her hand, masked, elegant.

summer hesitated. every fiber of her training screamed no. But her hand moved anyway.

ines lead summer onto the marble floor, the chandeliers casting a warm glow over the swirling guest. the music slowed to a waltz, but her mind was on something else.

summer’s heels clicked softly against the marble as ines pulled her into step, she looked around as they both moved in sync.

“you planned this,” summer murmured, her voice low beneath the music.

ines smile didn’t reach her eyes. “of course i did. you didn’t think i wore black just to be festive, did you?”

summer’s pulse quickened—not from the closeness, not entirely. “you’re reckless.”

“and you’re predictable,” ines countered smoothly. her breath brushed summer’s ear as they turned. “that’s why this works.”

they continued in sync, an orbit neither wanted to admit felt natural. around them, oblivious dignitaries spun in silks and suits, unaware of the storm tightening between two weapons disguised as women.

summer’s fingers twitched, the muscle memory of disarming someone itching beneath her skin. but ines just pulled her closer.

“just this one dance,” ines whispered again. “then we disappear. together.”

“or one of us does,” summer said, but her voice was soft. almost wistful.

if looks could kill - ines bettencourt

summary𞠬: two spies, one mission. only one can walk away— unless they choose to walk together.

warnings: gun violence, injury/blood, car chase, implied emotional tension, brief mention of alcohol

pairing: x oc

tags: @patscorner @kmoneymartini @authentic-girl03 @bueckersverse @vamptizm

spy au 1 2 3

the tires screeched as ines swerved out of the private estate’s hidden exit, gravel spraying behind them like shards of glass. summer clutched the dashboard with one hand, the flash drive tight in her fist with the other.

“you know where you’re going?” she asked, breath ragged.

“i always know where i’m going,” ines replied, eyes flicking to the rearview. “but we’re not alone.”

a sleek black sedan emerged behind them, headlights off, riding low and fast.

“shit,” summer muttered.

then the bullets came.

cracks of gunfire lit the night like lightning. the back window shattered, glass raining down as summer ducked instinctively.

“glovebox!” ines shouted.

summer yanked it open. a pistol. extra mags. no hesitation.

she rolled the passenger window down, leaned out, and fired.

the gun kicked in her hands, sharp and angry. the wind howled in her ears, pulling at her hair, but she kept steady.

a return shot sliced through the air. then another.

a scream tore from her throat before she even realized it had left her lips.

ines cursed. “summer?”

“keep driving!” summer yelled back, teeth gritted, still firing with her left hand as blood bloomed down her right arm.

one of her bullets hit. she saw the spark at the enemy’s hood, and the sedan swerved off-course, disappearing into the woods as ines made a hard turn down an unmarked road.

minutes blurred.

dirt roads. trees. silence.

they pulled up to a small, forgotten cabin deep in the woods. covered in moss and shadows, it looked like it hadn’t been touched in years.

“inside,” ines said, already out of the car.

summer tried to move.

tried.

but her vision swam, and the pain finally caught up. her knees buckled.

ines caught her just in time. “god, summer,” she whispered. “why didn’t you say anything?”

“adrenaline,” summer muttered, her voice thin. “and pride.” she said with a grin.

ines guided her inside, flipping on a single, flickering light. dust floated in the air like old ghosts.

she set summer down on the wooden table, already tearing into a cabinet for supplies. a first-aid kit. half a bottle of vodka. cloth.

“jacket off,” ines said softly, but firm.

summer hissed as she peeled it back, the torn fabric sticking to the blood. her skin was slick with sweat, pale and trembling now that the rush had faded.

ines crouched in front of her, her fingers surprisingly gentle as she cleaned the wound. “clean entry. through the muscle. you’re lucky.”

summer laughed once, dry. “funny definition of lucky.”

ines didn’t smile.

she wrapped the bandage tight, then met summer’s eyes—closer now, breath mingling.

“you shouldn’t have leaned out like that,” ines said, her voice low. “you could’ve died.”

summer looked at her for a long second. “you would’ve, if i hadn’t.”

a silence settled between them, charged and full.

ines looked away first. but her hand stayed on summer’s.

steady. grounding.

“rest,” she said quietly. “i’ll keep watch.”