Page 25 of Undercover Desires

“Died while on duty?” he asks, studying me for a reaction, I think.

“Yes,” I respond, my voice tinged with sadness. I miss him so much it still hurts my heart. He would know what to do at the moment; he would have had all the best advice to give me. If he were still around, I wouldn’t have to feel so alone.

Detective Reader seems to see something in my expression. “You want to follow in his footsteps? That’s why you’re so eager to impress me.”

“He was a great man,” I say, my voice filled with respect and admiration. “Loyal and hardworking. He brought me up to be the same. I know I can show you I’m just as meticulous.”

He leans forward, his eyes locked onto mine. “Keep up with your undercover mission. Don’t come into the station anymore. No one around here knows you yet. You’ll get away with it,” he encourages me.

I scrutinize him, my confusion growing. “I met one guy, Caleb,” I clarify, trying to make sense of his statement.

He laughs, shaking his head. “Caleb’s an idiot. You won’t need to worry about him. He also doesn’t have access to the club, I know that for a fact.”

I feel increasingly uneasy, not fully understanding the situation. “Okay,” I reply cautiously. How could this be right? If so many other detectives from this station have memberships, surely, they would have spotted me around the place and worked out what I’m doing. He said himself that he can’t trust them. Why would he be sending me back there?

He leans forward, his gaze intense. “You can work on this project from home and check in with me once a week by phone.”

My unease deepens. It’s highly unusual for someone in my position, just off probation, to be trusted to work alone from home. The last two days had me spooked, and maybe I was right to be. This feels shifty. “What’s going on?” I ask, unable to hide my confusion.

He takes a deep breath, his expression somber. “Have I told you why I need the Rivera brothers brought to justice?”

“Because of all the illegal activity they’re involved in?” I ask, feeling so fresh. That was all he gave me the first day I met him, and we haven’t crossed paths again since.

“My daughter is dead because of them.” His voice turns heavy with grief.

My eyes widen in shock. “What?” I gasp, placing a hand over my chest, crushed for him. That’s heartbreaking.

She was at their club partying the night she died. I tried to stop her, we argued, and it was the last time I saw her. “They found her in the desert, her body discarded like she was nothing, not my precious little girl. The autopsy showed she had overdosed on Euphoria, a drug sold at their club. We could never pin it on them, but ever since it happened, I have been investigating them for it. They had something to do with her death, I just know it.” He wipes at his eyes, visibly upset, and rightfully so.

“I’m so sorry,” I tell him, not knowing what else to say. That’s so awful. His little girl. I have seen firsthand how drugs can affect someone, but an overdose of a family member is tragic. It explains his distaste for life. How could you go about every day like normal, knowing your child had died so terribly.

He seems to pull himself together and snaps out of the daze he was in. “No one has infiltrated their tight-knit organization until now, but trust me, I have tried. You might just be able to do it.” His beady eyes implore me to understand. And I do. If I could get justice for my dad, I would stop at nothing to have it.

“I will do everything I can,” I say with confidence. He deserves some closure, and I want to be the one to get it for him. If these assholes really killed his daughter, I will find out about it and make sure they pay.

“I know you can do it,” he says, his voice filled with confidence. “Make your father proud and prove you’re worth your spot on my force.”

I nod firmly. “I will,” I agree, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. It's strange, but maybe that's how it is in a corrupt organization. If he believes I'm the right person for the job, I'll do my best to prove it.

“Pack up your desk and get out of here,” he instructs.

I exit his office with newfound determination. It’s time to take down the Rivera brothers and put an end to their reign of power in this town. They’ve been getting away with their illegal activities for far too long, and it’s time for justice to prevail.

CHAPTER 11

ARABELLA

Hazel and her friendSummer have been propped up at the far end of the bar, chatting and laughing, since about six. It looks like the two of them came straight from work. They order cocktails, and when I deliver them, they make polite conversation. They seem like nice enough girls. Shelby tells me they both work at some fashion house around here, and they certainly look the part in their trendy clothes.

Shelby leans over the counter, talking with them. “Bella, come and hang with us,” she calls to me.

Come hang with them? What is this, high school? I glance at Xavier to see how busy she is. “Go, I can handle this,” she tells me, shooing me over.

Normally, I wouldn’t bother. I’m not really one for girly chitchat, but I want to know more about Hazel and why a nice girl like her with a good job has chosen to date a Rivera. I make my way down to the other end of the bar and lean over, just like Shelby, offering the group a friendly smile.

Hazel picks up my hand and starts inspecting it. I glance back at her, puzzled.

“Hmm,” she says, running her finger over my palm.

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