Dealing in the shadows.

Detective Clara Miles had sworn she would never cross the line. She had a lot of pride in what she did. Clara believed in the law, justice, and doing everything correctly. But when the bodies started getting missing, and a lead on Azazel Bates led to dead ends, she realized something—playing by the rules would not solve the case.

That was how she planned to enter the life of Nathan’s best friend. Nathan was a member of one of the prominent crime families, but no one knew where he was. He was mostly seen with someone associated with many high profiles, but no one had anything negative about him. Getting close to him was difficult for months until we got a lead. He was attending a ball the coming weekend. She got her ticket and went to the ball in a sleek black Range Rover parked outside next to a black Rolls Royce in a private parking spot owned by the most influential man in the city.

Jake Vanderbilt.

He was the heir to the Vanderbilt family and CEO of Vanderbilt Enterprises, a man with deep connections that even the FBI could not touch him. Clara had spent years trying to put people like his friend away and discover what people like him were hiding. But now, she needed him.

Exiting the car and walking through the hotel’s VIP entrance, she felt every gaze shift toward her. She wore a slick red dress with a slit on her right and red button shoes. She ignored them, heading straight for the private lounge. Inside, Jake lounged in an expensive, high-quality wood chair, his sharp blue eyes watching her with curiosity.

“Detective Clara,” he pondered, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Clara sat across from him, keeping her expression neutral. “I need to ask you for a favor.”

His lips quirked. “Now, that is interesting.”

She exhaled. “The Bates are expanding their territory. They have killed two of my colleagues, and I cannot get close enough to take them down. But you can with the help of your friend… Nathan.”

Jake leaned back, tapping a finger against his glass. “Let me guess. You want Nathan and me to work with you and hand him over on a silver platter?”

“I want names, locations, anything that can help me put them away,” she clarified.

He chuckled. “And why would I do that?”

“Because he is not just coming for the streets, Jake. he is coming for you and your friend.” She said in a serious tone.

For the first time, his smirk faded. He knew Clara was right. Bate expanded and threatened him just as much as they were to the city.

After a long silence, he exhaled. “Fine. I will help you.”

Clara’s shoulders tensed. That was too easy. “What is the catch?”

He leaned in, his voice low. “You collaborate with me. No police officers, no backup. Just us. And you cannot do anything to Nathan if I help you.”

She hesitated. She did not trust Jake. But she did not have a choice.

“Deal.” She answered.

They worked in the shadows for weeks, moving through back alleys and exclusive clubs, gathering intel. Jake gave her access to the Bate’s drug routes, their hidden operations, and their most significant vulnerabilities. Clara found herself in deeper than she ever expected. Jake and Nathan introduced her to their informants, gave her access to underground dealings, and, most importantly, led her to Bate’s weak spots and Nathan’s. She was getting closer to bringing them down.

And the tension between Jake and Clara shifted along the way.

One night, after a brutal undercover assignment that left them both breathless, they ended up in Jake’s safe house. Clara was viewing the kind of place Jake lived when she felt him watching her.

“Do you like it,” he said.

“Not bad,” she answered.

He smiled at her.

She smirked. “You look surprised.”

He stepped closer. “I am not. I just wonder how long you will pretend you do not enjoy my company.”

She turned to him, pulse quickening. “What are you saying?”

His gaze darkened. “You and I aren’t so different, Clara.”

She should have pushed him away. She should have reminded herself that she had a plan she had to follow and that this was temporary.

But she did not stop him when he reached out, lifting her chin.

His lips brushed against hers and there, he kissed her. And when she did not pull away. They continued until her phone buzzed.

It was a message from her captain. It is time. Move in.

Her stomach twisted.

Clara said, "Tomorrow, my main goal will be accomplished.

After their uncommon moment, nothing was said.

The final takedown was set. Clara had fed just enough information to the Bates to lure them into a deal, one the feds would crash. Jake was supposed to be there too, but she asked him to tell Nathan to escort her.

She watched from a distance as the raid unfolded. The Bate leaders were dragged out in cuffs. Their empire was shattered.

It was over… or?

A few days later… Nathan was also handcuffed.

How, might someone wonder? Nathan was powerful, right? He had Jake's backing, and not even the FBI could touch him, right?

Was this killing two birds with one stone?

Getting close to Jake and gaining his trust was always Detective Clara’s plan. She knew her plan was flawed, but Nathan was still a criminal. She thought, “He deserved it.” “It would have happened sooner or later.” She tried to ease the guilt.

Months passed, and she had not heard any news from Jake. At some point, she was scared Jake would take revenge on her for breaking the deal and trust that had started this, but nothing came from him.

Bate and Nathan were sent to jail to pay for their crimes. She was supposed to be happy, but deep down, she knew something was left in the shadows.

Was this over?