Chapter 3

Sarah walked into the room, her eyes sweeping over Jessica's luggage. "Don't tell me you're seeing someone. Out all night, come home and immediately start packing—got yourself a boyfriend?"

"I don't have time for a boyfriend." Jessica grabbed Sarah's arm, her tone placating. "Sarah, when I get back, I'll treat you to dinner—that revolving restaurant you've been dying to try. How about it?"

At the mention of the revolving restaurant, Sarah's eyes visibly brightened.

That place cost enough per person to eat up a month's salary. It was always packed with wealthy businessmen and trust-fund kids—the kind of place where plenty of girls had found their ticket to high society.

Sarah studied Jessica, her displeasure finally beginning to fade. "Fine, fine. I'll trust you this once. But we're getting the most expensive set menu there."

"Deal!" Jessica breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

That evening, following James's instructions, Jessica arrived at Michael's detached villa in the suburbs.

A housekeeper led her inside. The house was enormous, but sparsely furnished—everything sleek, minimalist lines. Cold and utterly devoid of warmth.

"Ms. Brooks, Mr. Sullivan is waiting for you in the study upstairs," the housekeeper said softly before turning to leave.

Jessica took a deep breath and climbed the stairs. The study door was ajar. As she approached, she heard Michael's voice from within, thick with suppressed fury: "What do you mean you can't find her? Are you all completely useless?"

Her heart seized. She lowered the hand she'd raised to knock and peered carefully through the gap in the door.

Michael stood with his back to the entrance, silhouetted against the floor-to-ceiling windows. In his hand—unmistakably—was the diamond necklace she'd lost.

"I don't care what methods you use. Find that woman from last night. Do you understand me?" His tone was deadly serious as he spoke into his phone.

Oh God. He was still looking for her.

A chill shot through her. Jessica's legs went weak. She tried to step back, but her shoulder brushed against the doorframe with a dull thud.

Michael spun around instantly, his brow furrowing. His voice carried a note of irritation. "Jessica? Come in."

She had no choice but to steel herself and push the door open.

The study was large, the sharp scent of cedarwood permeating the air. That scent brought back flashes of last night's reckless abandon.

Jessica felt her cheeks flush. She kept her eyes down, unable to meet his gaze.

Michael had already ended the call, but the necklace remained clenched in his palm.

He moved behind the massive desk, pulled a file from the drawer, and slid it across the surface toward her.

"This contains the background information you'll need to memorize over the next month. How we met, dating details, mutual friends—all of it. Memorize it quickly. I won't tolerate any mistakes." His tone was as cold as ever.

But Jessica's eyes were locked on the hand holding the necklace. Her mind raced, trying to figure out how she could get it back without arousing suspicion. She didn't catch a word of what he'd just said.

"Officer Brooks." Michael's voice dropped lower.

Jessica snapped back to attention, only to realize Michael had come around from behind the desk and was walking toward her.

He was tall—imposing. Even in the spacious study, his approach created an almost physical pressure.

When he stopped in front of her, that familiar scent washed over her again. Her heartbeat quickened.

"Jessica, I'm speaking to you." He looked down at her, those ice-blue eyes both penetrating and dangerous. "If you can't manage basic focus and obedience, I'll reconsider whether you're suited for this assignment."

"I'm sorry, Chief!" Jessica ducked her head quickly, terrified he'd notice something was wrong. She scrambled for an explanation. "I was just... thinking about how to do better. My mind wandered for a second..."

She could feel his gaze still fixed on her. The silence was deafening, every second an eternity of torment.

Finally, he spoke, his voice devoid of emotion: "Remember your role. You only need to do what's required and follow my instructions. No overstepping. Understood?"

"Understood." Jessica answered immediately, her nails digging crescents into her palms.

If it weren't for the chance at permanent status, if it weren't for getting Sarah's necklace back, she'd never have agreed to this cursed assignment.

"You're dismissed." He waved her away.

Jessica let out a long breath and turned to leave quickly.

But just as she was about to close the door, she paused.

Why was Michael going to such lengths to find her? What did he want?

He wouldn't... silence her permanently, would he?

Seeing her frozen in the doorway, Michael's voice came low: "Is there something else?"

She took a deep breath, then turned back with a placating smile. "Chief, I overheard your phone call about finding someone. I was wondering—who are you looking for? Maybe I could help?"

Her probing question had no effect. Michael stared at her silently for a long moment before finally speaking, his tone laced with displeasure and warning: "Officer Brooks, do not attempt to pry into my private affairs. Consider this your first warning. Clear?"

It seemed she'd get nothing out of him.

Jessica lowered her head. "I understand."

She turned to leave again.

"Wait."

Michael's voice stopped her. He circled the desk and walked toward her.

She watched him approach step by step, terrified he'd figured something out. Her breathing became labored.

"You forgot the file." Michael handed her the folder left on the desk. As Jessica reached up to take it, his brow furrowed slightly.

He stared at her, hesitating for several seconds. Then he leaned in close, inhaling near the side of her neck. His eyes narrowed. "Officer Brooks, your perfume is... familiar."

Jessica's heart lurched. She hadn't had time to change since this morning—her clothes still carried traces of last night's bar.

Could he really pick up on such a faint scent?

She laughed awkwardly, scrambling for an excuse. "Probably from a raid I was on. The place reeked of perfume."

Michael's eyes lit up slightly. His voice dropped. "When was this?"

"This morning."

To keep him from suspecting her, she deliberately moved the timeline forward.

Sure enough, after hearing the timeframe, Michael's expression softened marginally before returning to its usual cold indifference. "Don't go on unauthorized operations from now on. Remember—your current identity is as my partner."

She nodded obediently, secretly relieved.

There had been no raid this morning, but with so many people at the precinct, he'd never be able to track the movements of a probationary officer.

Just when Jessica thought she'd successfully deflected him, Michael suddenly gripped her wrist. His face drew closer, inch by inch.

Her palms immediately broke out in a nervous sweat.

He leaned in further and further until she could feel his warm breath against her ear. Images from last night's intimate encounter flooded her mind, turning her ears crimson.

"No. You're lying." Michael's gaze bored into her, his eyes unfathomably deep. "Where were you last night?"