Professor Cal liked them young, dumb, and blonde.
Myra knew this so she cut her hair into a chic bob, tinted it to a bright blonde, and spent an awfully long time at Victoria’s secret.
By the time she walked into Ciaran Arts College, she was professor Cals dream girl.
She walked past the admin block, glancing down just once at the GPS to make sure she was headed in the right direction.
Every single student she walked past, regardless of their gender, gasped and turned to take a second look.
It was not long before she heard someone running beside her.
Youre new. Need some guide? A male voice said close to her ears.
Myra turned glassy eyes to the boy who looked at most twenty years old, and managed a frosty smile.
Then she turned away and continued walking. His pace slowed till he dropped behind her.
Snobbish much, huh?
She flipped her hair back, and only remembered at the last minute that she no longer had long flowing hair. That hair that had been Aidens favorite thing about her.
She sniffed back her tears, held her chin up, and swayed her hips towards Professor Callaghan Dankworths class.
She was fashionably late by a few minutes.
On purpose.
So, when she pushed the door to the auditorium open, all eyes turned to her just as shed hoped.
Her eyes scanned all the seats above, before they finally traveled to her target.
She stifled a sigh. The man was irresistibly hot.
At age forty-five, Professor Cal stood at over six feet, and was more handsome than eighty percent of the male population.
The sprinkle of silver hair on his beard only seemed to add to the mans erotic appeal and mysteriousness.
But he was an a*shole. The man she must take down in the next twelve weeks.
She heard a boy whistle, and some girls whisper among themselves as they watched her with awe, envy, or disgust.
But she only had eyes for the Professor, who was now squinting at her with interest.
Youre the transfer student? He spoke up in a gentle, deep voice.
Myra strolled briskly towards him. Myra Shaw.
She saw his left eyebrow tilt a little at her confidence.
She turned away, and began to walk towards a seat she had mentally chosen. But not before she played the old trick.
She let her heel catch on the wood floor.
The Professor was quick.
He held his hand out, and she gripped it, saving herself from a fall.
A strange current surged through her veins, raw and startling, and when she looked up in his eyes she saw he felt it too.
The man squinted at her, and soon his surprised smirk degenerated into a frown.
I take punctuality seriously, Miss Shaw. He said quietly, not once taking his eyes off her. You just lost five points, now please go take your seat.
Myra did not let her disappointment show in her face.
She pulled her hand out of his, and swayed her curvy hips to her seat.
You can sit beside me, beauty. A boy grinned at her with perfect teeth, and his friends hooted.
She ignored them, and continued walking up the stairs to her second target.
May I sit beside you? She said in a gentle voice.
Despite how soft her voice was, she still managed to startle the shy looking girl who nodded nervously, and then looked away quickly.
Myra carefully placed her purse on the floor, and settled into the seat.
She turned her eyes back to Professor Cal down at the podium, who had now launched into his lesson for the day.
She watched him curiously as her mind traveled back to all his life details she had learned just five days ago, hours before her world turned on its head.
***
Myra. Drinks at 5pm? The boys are coming. Sergeant Greg sided up to her as her colleagues crowded into the briefing hall.
Myra turned to smile and accept the invitation, when she felt a hand go round her waist.
The only drink she will be having is back at my condo. Aidens deep voice said beside her.
Captain! Greg stood at attention with his chest out in salute as Aiden guided Myra further into the hall.
Is it not inappropriate for a sergeant to be asking a lieutenant to drink? Aiden quietly said to her with a dark frown.
These are my colleagues, babe. And our PDA isnt appropriate either. But everyone looks away in empathy. She said softly.
Aiden dropped his hand from her waist immediately, and she saw he had taken offense.
I just meant.. She started to say, but he was already walking ahead.
She sighed in distress.
Aiden was so sensitive, and way too proud sometimes.
He hated it when anything about him was short of flawless, and he would pull the sky down if anyone dared to point out those flaws.
She hurriedly sat beside him as the blinds in the room began to come down.
I wont go for drinks with them. She said, although she would have wished otherwise.
She did not like getting him angry. He was such a sweetheart when he was in a good mood. She only had to keep him in that mood.
You are too friendly with the officers, Myra, Aiden said through his teeth. Look at them, in uniforms, you are in plain clothes. Why should they be so chummy with you?
He turned to stare at her with his beautiful dark eyes, and all the retorts that were already at the tip of her lips, died.
She did not see the need to act superior to her colleagues, but she did not want to fight over this.
So she nodded quietly in defeat as the projector came on.
Her father, the police chief, Tyson Shaw, walked in, and all the officers shared glances, wondering what was so important that the police chief showed up himself.
They all stood up and saluted.
He nodded and gestured for them to take their seats again while he turned back to the projector.
Do you know what is going on? Aiden asked her in a whisper.
No. Myra said truthfully.
Unlike what most people believed, her father never gave her preferential treatment at work. And she only learned about things at the same time as her colleagues.
Everything that would be said here today is classified. the Police Chief said, nodding at the operator to move on to the next slide.
The hall fell silent as a mans image was displayed brightly on the screen.
Lord. He is hot. Lieutenant Jess whispered, and the people around tried to stifle a giggle.
Myra swallowed her smile. Her unit was the most unserious bunch, except in a shootout.
He has been accused of three separate sexual misconduct cases, but his rich family managed to get a lawyer that argued insubstantial evidence.
All eyes immediately fell on Jess, and she cleared her throat and mumbled, Never said I liked him, did I?
The police chief looked at all of them now sitting quietly on the table.
We need to catch this man, with irrefutable evidence. The victims all recently withdrew the last lawsuit filed against him, overnight. We need someone to befriend these girls and entice the Professor into our trap as an undercover college student.
Most of her colleagues let out a sigh, and Myra saw a few throw glances her way.
One of you has to be an undercover student at that exclusive college for at least three months. Enough time to catch that creep. the Police chief said in a measured voice. If you succeed, you will be considered for a promotion.
The hall was still silent, but she could see the interest in all the womens eyes, and even a few men she suspected would not mind pretending to be women for the mission.
But they all stole glances at her, she was their biggest competition.
Not because her father was the chief, but because she was the youngest at twenty-five years old.
If anyone here could pull off acting like a young college student, she was the one.
And damn, it would be so nice to become a captain at only twenty-five.
No. Aiden said darkly beside her, and for the first time she felt irritation.
She turned to look at him.
She could understand him being all protective and illogically jealous of men around her, but she would not stand him interfering in her job or career growth.
Lieutenant Shaw? She heard her fathers voice from the front, and turned to him. You are the youngest woman on the team, are you interested?
She stood up and at attention.
Yes sir. It would be my honor to take on this role.
Thats settled then. We will converge tomorrow to discuss strategy. He said, and at that moment Aiden stood up and stormed out without leave to do so.
Everyone gasped, and turned to watch him exit in shock.
Myra peeked at her father to see his reaction.
He looked livid, but he made no comments about Aidens behavior as he closed the meeting.
I am calling off our engagement. Aiden said, as soon as she walked into the locker room.
What? Myra froze in disbelief. How can you say that?
And how can you do this to me? He yelled in her face.
She stepped back, startled by his intensity and hurt at his tone.
I dont understand what you are talking about.
Just give me back my ring, Myra. He said through his teeth. This was the last straw.
What last straw? Her voice came out weak, as she struggled to get past her confusion.
Why was he reacting so strongly to her just wanting to do her job?
I am literally the only person for the job. She said out loud, Do you expect Major Lila to play a twenty-year-old college student?
Aidens frown darkened, and he gripped her arm tightly, his eyes wild. So you will not mind f*cking my own father then? For the team?
Father? What are you.. She paused as her mind traveled back to the meeting.
Dankworth! Her father had said something Dankworth.
Her eyes widened as she looked up at Aiden, finally understanding why he had reacted that way to her accepting the role.
Babe, Im sorry. I really had no idea. She said quickly.
Liar! he threw her hand off, walked over to the nearest locker, and punched it.
Aiden. She called in hurt disbelief as she watched him crash out. Who do you think I am? Why do you think I would do that to you?
Of course you.. He stopped, and then turned back to look at her. He regarded her for a few seconds then walked up to her.
He cupped her chin on both sides and leaned down.
Go tell your father you decline the role.
Myra stared up at him, and paused only one second before she said, OK.
He sighed and brought his nose against hers.
Im sorry about Professor Dankworth. I did not make the connection till just now. She said, even as he began to gently brush her lips with his.
She would never have even thought about accepting it if she remembered that Callaghan Dankworth was Aidens supposed father.
The man had denied paternity since the incident happened when he was a sixteen-year-old highschooler, but Aidens mother insisted he got her pregnant till date.
Myra closed her eyes as Aiden gripped her hips, and his kiss deepened.
***
She knew her father could see her through the one-way glass surrounding his office, because even before she knocked on the door, she heard his deep rumble from within.
Come.
She walked in and stood at attention.
He watched her as he stubbed his cigarette out.
What is it, Miss Shaw? He always addressed her formally at work, although their relationship was different outside.
Dad. She cleared her throat and corrected herself. Chief. I have to turn down Professor Cal’s case.
Her father did not look surprised. It was almost like he had been expecting it.
He stared at her, and she looked down at her boots nervously.
He could make her do the job and his decision would be final, but then she would be hurting Aiden.
She hoped his softer, fatherly side was dominant today, and he would not force her into this.
Go think about it, Miss Shaw. If by tomorrow evening you still do not want to do it. I will let you off.
She was about to tell him her decision was final but thought the better of it.
He was letting her off easily, there was no need to provoke him.
Yes chief. She saluted and turned to the door. She could always tell him tomorrow that she would really not do it.
She walked past Aiden, standing at his office door as she went back to her desk.
She made an OK sign with her hand.
The right side of his lip curled up in a satisfied smile, and he went back to his office.
Myra spent the rest of the day with her head bent to work.
She studied the details of the marital rape case in front of her, mentally scheduling to go check out the crime scene the next day for clues.
Something about the victims statement here was definitely not adding up.
Hours flew by and her shift soon ended. She was one of the first people out the door.
She hurried to her car, excited about the idea she had in mind to properly apologize to Aiden tonight.
Someone seems happy. Jess said beside her as they stopped before their individual cars, the first people to arrive in the underground parking lot.
Myra smiled brightly at her.
I would smile too if I was getting a promotion in a few months. Dont get me wrong. Jess added, as she unlocked her car door.
I am not taking on the case anymore. Myra said.
What? Are you crazy? Jess shouted in disbelief.
Give Reign a kiss for me. Myra giggled and jumped into her car.
She had only seen Jess baby a few times, but she absolutely adored her.
She backed her car out even though Jess was still watching her in disbelief.
She smiled and waved at her, before pulling out fast toward the farmer’s market.
She grabbed a cup of Mocha on her way and drank it as she shopped for the freshest of vegetables.
She grabbed all she needed, and drove back to her elegant apartment a few miles away from her parents’ mansion.
As soon as she arrived home she ran around like a headless chicken as she did her skin care routine and cooked at the same time.
She had to be at Aidens condo to surprise him before he closed off work at nine.
Her face was layered with a hydrating mask as she made a sweet potato casserole, grilled a nice piece of steak, and baked a pie.
Her legs shook with excitement in the bathroom, as she lasered hair off her intimate parts, and shaved her legs.
Aiden was so snappish and on edge lately, and she suspected the infrequency of their intimate moments was the cause.
Their wedding was still months away and between their tight schedule and living apart, they did not have enough time for sex.
She let her hip-length hair down, and flat ironed the thickness of it just the way Aiden liked it.
She smiled at the mirror as she put on a new set of lingerie.
This should get any man out of a foul mood, even a fierce Police Captain like Aiden.
The way she looked now would set even a monks blood on fire.
As she applied a seductive scent to her pulse points, she decided not to wear a dress.
She picked out a dressy silver robe, something Aiden would tug once, and she would be standing in just her lingerie before him.
She packed all the meals she made in an elegant cardboard box, stepped into a pair of red bottom heels, and rode down the elevator to her car.
As she began driving to her fiancs expensive apartment complex, she turned on Nina Simones Feeling Good. The cool, sensual music put her in an even more feminine, seductive mood.
Her blood ran cool with desire, and her heart rate dropped till it was beating slowly.
By the time she was riding the elevator up to Aidens condo, it was a few minutes before 9pm.
But she was too late.
She realized that even as she stood in the foyer. The soft warm music from his condo was a little audible from here.
He was home already.
She shrugged off her disappointment, and focused instead on how surprised he would be to see her at all, even though he had beat her to getting home first.
She pulled out a copy of his key card, and scanned the door open.
She walked into his condo, and could faintly hear the shower running.
Perfect!
She hurried to the kitchen, took out his elegant dishware, and laid out the food as quietly as she could.
She stood back to inspect the table and smiled in satisfaction.
It was almost like a Thanksgiving feast.
She giggled excitedly and began to pad as quietly as she could in her high heels toward the masters bedroom.
The music was higher now, and the shower was no longer running.
She smiled as she un-belted her robe and let the belt drop to the floor in the hallway.
She froze suddenly after her next step.
Something was not quite right.
She frowned as she raised her nose up to sniff the air. What was this unnatural heat, and..
She sniffed again. Were those scented candles? But Aiden was not expecting her.
Then the volume of the music reduced, and she began to hear the lusty moans coming from behind her fiancs bedroom door.
She gasped, stepping back.
She had to be dreaming. Aiden brought another woman home?
He could not be watching porn, these were real life sounds.
They were clear even from where she stood, the grunts, low-toned moans, the rhythmic sound of flesh slapping against flesh, the occasional exclamations of pleasure.
Her ankles shook and she almost fell.
She blindly reached her hand out for the wall to support herself.
Aiden was cheating on her? Their wedding was just six months away.
She shook her head as her chest began to ache, and it became difficult to breathe.
Oh God. She gasped silently as she crashed to her knees outside his door, and struggled to inhale through her mouth and nose.
Her chest was physically on fire, and her vision was hazy.
This can not be true.
Maybe one of his friends simply brought a girl to bang in his apartment. That would make more sense.
The Aiden she knew did not have patience for any other woman except her, and she had never found anything suspicious between him and any other woman.
She saw him every day at work, and spent most evenings here at his condo. The only reason they were not living together yet was because their jobs did not tolerate cohabiting.
She was tempted to just leave. She could pretend she was never here and try to forget this.
It was already too painful, and she doubted she would survive it if she actually saw her fianc on top of another woman.
Yes. She heard Aidens deep voice ring out as the speed of the smacking cheeks seemed to increase.
Myra felt her lunch come back up her throat.
She gritted her teeth, pushed herself off the floor, and kicked the door open, ready to tear him and his wh*re apart.
But she froze.
Aiden actually had his own bare butt cheeks up, and the naked pair of butts behind him was too muscular to be a womans.
She squinted in disbelief as she saw the man reach out, yank Aidens hair back, and lovingly bit his neck.
Her fianc moaned deeply, and just as the man turned his face, Myra saw he was her father.
There are cases of extreme anger that are classified as temporary madness.
In cases of murder under such circumstances, good lawyers can argue that the person could not be blamed for their actions in those few minutes of temporal madness.
They had genuinely been crazy at the time.
That was the exact emotion Myra felt as she saw her own father thrusting in and out of her fianc.
For over two minutes after that, her mind worked separately from her body.
Her limbs moved and did things her brain did not register, and the room took on a red tint.
Before that night, she always thought the I SAW RED phrase was some creative nonsense.
But tonight, as the city continued to bustle just below, Aidens bedroom took on a red color, like some insane TikTok filter.
She staggered into the room, ignoring the pain that burst from her ankles every time her legs twisted to the side in her high heels, from shaking so much.
She picked up the bedside lamp, yanking it with the cord, and hurled it at her fathers head.
He narrowly dodged it, and only then did the pair notice there was a third person in the room.
They had really been going to town, deaf to the world in their lust.
You bastards! She shrieked in an ear-deafening scream, her body bending forward, unable to remain straight as it took all the last strength in her shivering body to scream.
She took her shoes off and hurled them at Aiden, heels first.
One caught him in the ear as he struggled to pull his pants on, and he began to bleed.
She could not even bear to look at her father.
She should not have to see him like this. She should not have to see her own biological fathers nakedness.
You pigs! She screamed through her tears, throwing everything her hands could grab. She ran to Aidens display shelf and cleared all the medals and awards to the floor.
She sent one decorative glass sculpture, flying after a ceramic one, and then a granite one.
She aimed side stools at their large chests.
She attacked them with every damn thing her hands could find as they ran around, desperate to get a break so they could put on their clothes.
She stumped on their clothes scattered all over the floor.
Why did she not think to bring her gun? Why did she not bring her f*cking gun?
Stop it, Myra. Aiden said in a pleading voice, avoiding all the missiles she hurled at him.
The mirrors in his room all lay shattered now, and she began to see dents in his floor to ceiling windows.
Get a grip. Her father finally barked. I did not give you leave to speak to me like that.
Myra froze and turned bloodshot, unbelieving eyes towards him.
What did you just f*cking say?
Language, Myra. I am your father. He said strongly, finally standing straight in a tank top and suit pants.
She laughed in disbelief, and her laughter came out sounding like a Maniacs.
You are nobodys father. She said in a quiet whisper. How can you even look at me after what you have done? She finally yelled. You have no shame.
Her blood began to steam as she watched him stand in his usual arrogant, domineering way once again.
Keep talking and youll be suspended.
Myra gasped, one of Aidens medals falling from her hand.
She stepped back in shock.
Youre not sorry? The question popped out of her mouth in disbelief.
Myra. Aiden said gently, and she turned to look at him, and then the man who had brought her to this world.
She bent down suddenly and picked up the medal with a sharp edge.
She ran for her father and raised the medal high to strike him before any of the men could even react.
But she was not tall enough. She barely managed to slash through his half naked chest.
Blood sprayed everywhere as her father fell to his knees.
She raised her hand to strike again when she felt something heavy crash against her head from behind, and her body fell without a struggle to the ground.
She saw Aidens face floating above hers, before her eyes finally closed in darkness as a tear ran down the side of her eye.
When Myra woke up, it was morning, and she was lying on a couch in her living room.
She tried to get up, but pain exploded in her head.
She yelped, and fell back on the couch.
She lay that way for a while, and slowly attempted to open her eyes again.
She waited for a few more minutes to pass before she carefully sat up.
Her vision went black for two seconds, but the pain was not as bad anymore.
She looked at the coffee table and saw an almost empty bottle of red wine, and a cup of painkillers knocked over with pills spilling out of it.
She frowned, trying to remember how she got home last night.
She remembered herself at the farmers market, she remembered cooking excitedly. Did she not go to Aidens anymore?
She looked down to see she was in one of her comfortable Pajamas.
She suddenly remembered Aidens face floating above hers, but trying to think of anything before or after that caused terrible pain to her head.
She gripped her head and groaned in pain.
What happened to her?
She stood up and walked to the bathroom, realizing how late she was already for work.
She let warm water run down her body in the shower for as long as she could before she hurried into her room to get dressed.
As she pulled on a pair of leather pants, a turtle-neck shirt, and tied her hair up in a low bun, she tried to think of last night again.
But her head protested and she winced in pain.
When she hurried to her kitchen to grab a bowl of cereal, she stopped short.
The meal she made last night lay on the kitchen island, unpacked.
Did she really not go to Aidens then? Then where did the image of his face floating above hers last night come from?
She shook her head, and rushed out of her apartment without eating.
Myra drove fast, just under the speed limit, and managed to get to the office in record time, but she was still very late.
As she hurried out of the elevator, she ran into Greg who was going out with another of her male colleagues.
Whoah. he exclaimed.
I know. She grimaced nervously. She was never late.
The chief is in a foul mood. You are so cooked. Greg said with a sympathetic face.
She nodded and hurried towards their office.
As she walked towards her desk, all her colleagues looked at her in surprise, and she smiled apologetically at them.
Rough night? Jess asked, as Myra pulled out her seat.
I guess.
Myra. She heard Aidens booming voice from his office and her back stiffened. She was really in trouble.
She dropped her bag on the chair, pushed it back in and hurried to his office.
She could not meet his eyes as he walked away from his desk towards her. She stood stiffly at attention.
Are you slacking off on purpose because your bosses are family? He asked in a low tone.
No, sir. She kept her eyes on the wall behind him.
Why are you almost one hour late for work?
She squinted as even trying to remember anything began to make her head hurt again.
Aiden leaned down, and his face came into her line of sight. His eyes were dark and suspicious. Where were you last night?
I dont know, She said honestly.
He barked out a bitter laugh and stepped back. You dont know. Are you cheating on me, Myra?
Her eyes widened as her body slackened into ease. God, no.
Then what kind of ridiculous answer was that? He barked.
She stiffened and looked away again. A knock came on the door and one of the officers poked his head in.
The chief wants you, captain.
Aiden looked from the officer to her. Then he picked up a stack of files and roughly pushed it onto her chest.
Get to work and stop slacking around. He barked. I need that within the hour.
She looked at him as tears stung her eyes. Was this really her fianc? Why was he always so cold to her at work?
She did not expect him to show favoritism, of course, but he never treated the rest of her colleagues like this.
Yes sir. She said, and briskly walked out of his office back to her desk.
She pulled a cup of painkillers out of her desk drawer and dry swallowed.
Barely thirty minutes had passed when Aiden showed up to her desk with more files. Are you done? Do this too.
She bent her head in humiliation.
How can he treat you like this for being late just once? Jess whispered as he walked away. Especially when you spent the night with him.
Myra turned wide eyes to her. How did you know?
Jess flinched, surprised at her intensity.
You seemed so excited in the parking lot yesterday. And I passed you some hours later in traffic driving towards his place when I went to pick Reign up from daycare.
Myras jaw fell.
I called out to you, but I guess you did not see me. Your hair was so beautiful. You should let it down from time to time.
A searing pain sliced through Myras head. And then she remembered.
You bastard! Myra screamed as she banged the door shut behind her.
She could see all the officers outside watching, and even though they could not see past the one-way glass, they were sure listening.
But she did not care.
What? Aiden rose from behind his desk.
You and my father must really think I am the worlds biggest fool. She screamed as he crossed the floor towards her.
His stride broke, but only just.
He stopped in front of her and yelled, What are you on about? Have you finished the work I assigned you?
She slapped him, hard.
She did not care if she got suspended, or even fired for disrespecting her boss. Maybe she would tell the higher ups about their inappropriate conduct.
How dare you?
She slapped him again. You are really some d*ckhead. You thought I would not remember?
I have no idea what you are on about. He said, looking at her with blazing eyes. But if you dont get out of my office now, I will forget you are my fianc and send you to internal affairs.
I should be sending you and the chief there. She yelled at him. You cheating bastard. She yanked the engagement ring off her finger and threw it at him.
And I am not your bloody fianc.
He was gritting his teeth now, his face purple with rage.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of his office.
Walk. He said through gritted teeth as they passed all the officers who were staring.
They rode down the elevator to the underground garage.
You dont want them to hear you are f*cking the chief? She said in bitterness, fighting her tears. How long?
What?
How long have you been f*cking my father? She yelled.
She did not care about his why. She did not have problems with him being gay or bisexual if only he had told her the truth and did not cheat on her.
And of all people, with her own father.
What are you saying?” He frowned in confusion at her. If you need rest and psychiatric evaluation, I can speed up the approval for sick leave. Aiden said in a sudden sympathetic voice.
She stepped back.
Sick leave? I saw you. Dont make me out to be crazy. She screamed as tears finally streamed down her face.
Had she been with a monster all this time?
It was bad enough that they did that to her. Now they were trying to gaslight her into thinking it never happened.
Aiden shook his head, looking at her.
I am not surprised this is happening. You have been under a lot of stress lately with wedding planning.
I am not crazy. She cried, backing away from him.
But you are saying crazy things. Do you know how mad the chief would be if he heard this nonsense you are saying? He said in a placating tone. Like he was on her side, cared for her.
She shook her head. She knew what she saw. Maybe she did not remember at first, but she did now.
You should rest.
No. She screamed loudly.
She was a detective. If anyone could find proof, it was her.
She had witnessed the most horrible crimes in her few years as a detective.
She knew all the early signs. If she did not find answers quickly and nip this in the bud, this may turn into a horrible criminal case.
Psychiatry? Was that their plan? To commit her into an institution and say she was crazy to save their reputation after she caught them?
That made sense.
That is why they knocked her out and took her home and set up everything to look like she had never been to that condo.
The cold bastards. They had it all thought out. They even changed her clothes.
She began to back away quickly.
Myra. Aiden said, hurrying towards her. She spun around and ran.
They were all badass detectives. If anyone could manipulate evidence, it would be a badass detective.
She opened her door quickly, and shut it just as he placed his hand on her car. He tried to get in front of her car, but when he saw she could well run him over, he jumped to the side.
She pulled out and drove straight to his condo. She soon saw him speeding behind her.
She yelled, and hit the steering repeatedly.
The bastard.
She had destroyed that place last night. That is all the evidence she needed to prove she was there and was not crazy.
She jumped out of the car and ran into the elevator. But just before the door slid shut, Aiden shoved his hand between the door, and got in with her.
What are you doing?
What are YOU doing? He fired back.
She ignored him and ran out of the elevator as soon as the door slid open.
He reached out to grab her, but she slid past him and scanned her copy of his keycard against the door.
You cannot come into my house without my permission. He said loudly, gripping both her arms and shaking her.
Not when you willingly gave me the key. She kneed him in the inner thigh, and he stumbled back, howling in pain.
She pushed the door open and ran straight for his bedroom, already fishing her phone out of her pocket to take pictures.
But when she stepped into the bedroom, it was spotless.
Myra gasped, stumbling as she missed a step.
This could not be real. The mirrors she was sure she had shattered were all hanging untouched against the walls. The windows had no dents, and all the medals were perfectly arranged.
Found what you were searching for? She heard Aiden behind her.
She spun around. You fixed it. You fixed everything overnight.
He shook his head at her and began to pull out his phone. The chief would want to know this. It is better to take you to the hospital now that it is still early.
She gripped his hand. Dont you dare.
I may not have the full right to do it yet, but your parents do. You need an evaluation. You cannot do your job like this.
Fear suddenly gripped her heart.
She did not want to end up in a straight jacket at some psychiatric home. She had seen it happen many times.
Some people managed to prove they have never been crazy and got freedom years later, but some never did.
Please. The word slipped out of her mouth as her heart squeezed.
Aiden stopped.
He shook his head and kissed her forehead. I am sorry. This is all my fault. I have been too hard on you lately.
She felt tears streaming down her eyes at her sudden helplessness, even as he hugged her close.
It will all soon be over. We can move the wedding forward and do a smaller one if its too stressful, he said, caressing her body and kissing her forehead again and again.
She cried harder, wanting to take a knife to the monsters chest and carve his heart out.
Ill call in sick for you. He finally let her go. Go relax on the bed, Ill grab some groceries to cook for you.
He smiled down at her. His gentle, handsome face would deceive a stranger.
The way it had deceived her all these years.
How could somebody love a monster for years and not know it?
As he walked away, her eyes fell on something bright in a shadowed part of the hallway, just outside the bedroom door.
She waited to hear the front door lock before she hurried over and picked up.
Her eyes widened as she saw the silver belt from her robe last night.
Mom. Did you not hear what I said? Myra asked, looking at her mother who went on sketching out a shoe design, as if she had not just told her she had found her husband in bed with her own fianc.
You dont believe me? Myra continued, and feverishly dug into her pocket for the belt.
Her mother was her last hope. If anyone could protect her and punish her father for what he did, it was her mother.
Look. She raised the belt.
So you are sleeping with a man you are not yet married to. Her mother said quietly, and took off her glasses to finally look at her.
What? Myras jaw fell.
I taught you about the dangers of premarital sex. her mother said, gently putting her computer tablet aside. You would not be this hurt if you had not given your body to Aiden.
I am an adult. Myra lost it, and stood up. How is my choice to have consensual sex worse than those men betraying me like this?
Her mother was always the traditional wife.
The real patriarchy princess.
In her eyes, men were always blameless, and she never stood up to her husband, even though she was the one with all the money, and her father was a former governor.
But this? This was just too much.
We should hope Aiden does not tell your father about this. He would be so disappointed in you.
Mom. Myra shrieked in disbelief. Is this all you can say? He betrayed me.
I dont know what you want me to do, Myra. Her mother said with sad eyes. I dont know what you think I can possibly do to your father. she added helplessly, as if she was not a f*cking multi-millionaire.
Myra staggered back. How could these people be her parents? One evil, the other spineless.
You will not help me? She asked, as tears began to stream down her eyes again. I am your only child.
Her mother sighed in exhaustion.
I love you Myra. But your father is so close to the goal he has worked towards all his life. Now is the time he needs our support the most, not us tearing him down.
Myra fell to the couch, a sudden stab of pain in her chest.
Why had she come here?
Why did she even bother?
Tyson Shaw was Savannah Shaws god. She would do anything to please him.
The only reason she had not given her whole wealth to her husband was because her own father, the former governor, had made the company and assets only transferable to his grandchildren, not his son-in-law.
But her mother spent her whole life trying to overcompensate for that.
She licked the very floor the man walked on, and never protected even her own daughter from him.
People called it love, but Myra did not know what to call it.
She looked at her mother, suddenly realizing that if she had married Aiden, this would likely be her life.
Before last night, she too had been close to licking the floor Aiden walked on.
Not anymore.
She stood up. Its nice to see you and your husband both put political ambitions over my well-being.
Her mother stood up hurriedly, and began to walk towards her.
Myra. Dont be like this. If this scandal gets out, your fathers political career will be dead on arrival.
Myra smiled bitterly.
You people hurt me in the worst way possible. I will hit you all where it hurts the most too.
She marched out of her parents’ luxurious mansion to her small car.
As she drove back to the office, her plan came together in her head.
She would strike both Aiden and her father with one blow, and gain as much power as she could in the process, so she would never have to be at anyones mercy like this ever again.
Aiden was calling her phone non-stop, but she ignored his calls as she walked over to the police chiefs office.
Myra. Her father said cheerfully as she walked in.
He never called her that at work. It was always Ms Shaw.
Good day chief. She stood at attention, looking at the demon who was her father. He was acting like nothing happened last night.
You look well. I thought you were taking sick leave for the rest of the day. He looked her over with a smile.
Miscommunication sir.
He nodded. Thats my girl. You are never lazy.
She pressed her lips together, and said nothing.
Why are you here, Ms Shaw? He said, his attention back at the desktop on his table.
To apologize. She said,
He glanced up, and squinted in confusion at her.
I was foolish to turn my back on my duty yesterday. I would like to continue with the plan. She paused. If the spot is still available.
He turned back fully to her again. It is still available, he said slowly. But what if you change your mind again?
I wont, chief. She kept her eyes up.
I dont believe you. One word from Captain Acosta and you could be messing up my plans again.
She pressed her lips to stifle her scream.
Hearing Aidens name from his lips now sent hives all over her skin as the memory of her father lovingly biting his neck came back to her mind.
I wont, chief. She repeated, and her voice came out sounding teary.
Are you okay, Ms Shaw? He sounded concerned now.
She nodded, unable to risk speaking because she would break down here in his office.
If she had not seen that belt a few hours ago, at this point she would have begun to believe she had dreamed up the whole thing, or she had simply gone crazy.
He and Aiden were such great actors.
“OK,” He pulled a document out from under a pile on his table. I need your signature, my dear. You cant back out till Professor Callaghan Dankworth is in jail. If not, you risk imprisonment.
She hesitated for only a moment.
She pulled a pen from her breast pocket and signed.
Her father took the document with a smile and nodded. You are a grown woman now. I am so proud of you.
She saluted and began to walk out of his office when he said.
Ms Shaw.
She stopped, but could not bear to turn back and look at him.
You must succeed at all costs. F*ck the professor if that is the only way to get concrete evidence, he said.
Her back stiffened.
Did she hear well? Did her father just say that? They never discussed such topics.
She turned back, but all his attention was back to the screen of his desktop.
Her shoulders sagged as she reached for the door.
Something was off.
Something bigger was at play here that she did not yet know about.
When she pulled the door open, Aiden was standing outside.
He was looking at her with disbelief. What did you just do?
She sidestepped him and began to walk away, towards the auditorium where the brief would be starting in a few minutes.
Aiden grabbed her as soon as they were inside and pinned her against the wall. You would f*ck my father?
She smiled darkly at him. Sounds familiar? Quite sad that he insists he is not your father though.
You wh*re! he groaned. I always knew you had hot pants for all the men in the department.
Aiden Acosta. She smiled, and leaned up to kiss his beard stubble. You are about to find out what whoring truly means.
Ms Shaw. She heard the Professor’s voice call, bringing her back to the present.
She blinked and began to move along with the other college students to the theater hall for their physical trials.
Hey bitch. Myra heard as soon as she stepped into the hallway.
She froze as everyone began to laugh.
Lying bitch. Another female voice said. What makes you think the Professor would even look at you?
Myras back stiffened.
How did they find out so quickly? The whole mission was supposed to be classified.
Myra turned around and looked at the students who had congregated in the hall leading to the theater.
What did you just say? She asked, her fist balling beside her.
Not you, gorgeous. The boy with the perfect teeth from earlier said. The gremlin behind you.
Myra turned behind to see Valentina Steels, the girl she had sat beside during class.?
Valentina Steels was the last person that brought up sexual assault charges against Professor Cal, and one of Myras duties was to befriend her and get as much information as she could from her.
She watched the frightened girl as she squirmed under the gaze of everyone packed in the hallway.
This was a private college, an elite school only for the children of billionaires. And in colleges like these, it was like being back in high school.
The students were mostly immature brats and all the professors looked away to avoid offending powerful people.
A girl with several cosmetic face lifts at her young age walked towards Valentina Steels and threw yogurt down the front of her shirt.
This is what happens when a prestigious school admits gutter rats like you. She said, and all the students around laughed and hooted.
Valentina gasped, looking down horrified at her stained dress.
I have said the scholarship program should be scrapped countless times, but no one listens. The cosmetic-girl continued. Now, look at Ms Gremlin here accusing Professor Cal of assault. Have you looked in the mirror?
The people around laughed harder.?
Myra had been determined to stay out of these petty student fights, since the Professor was her main focus.?
But this was all getting out of hand.
Is that cum on her shirt? A boy pointed at the white yogurt stains on Valentinas ruined dress, and they all laughed harder.?
Myra grabbed the frightened girls hand and began to march towards the restroom.?
Hey newbie. The cosmetic-girl stepped in front of her. What do you think you are doing?
Myra stared her down.?
She was not sure what the girl saw in her eyes, but she shrunk two sizes, and grudgingly strutted away.?
Myra continued to the restroom, grabbed a paper napkin and gently pushed it in Valentinas hand.
Thank you. The girl managed to say before she burst into tears.?
Heart-wrenching sobs.
Myra looked away and inspected her nails awkwardly.
She did not know what to say to the girl. But soon the Professor would be brought to justice and everyone would know she had not lied.
You should not let anyone bully you. They cannot hit you, because if you go to the media, it would be a wrap for their parents. Myra said finally.
Valentina sniffed and looked up.?
She looked like she was in a daze and could not hear her.
She walked to the sink and began to wash her face.
Are you OK? Myra turned to look at her.?
Now that she was looking at her well, Valentina was not just shy, she looked like she was actually teetering on the edge.
Who wouldnt though?
Please excuse me. Valentina said, startling her. I have to take off my shirt and wash it.
Oh, Myra said, and paused. Will you be fine?
The girl nodded silently.?
Myra nodded once and walked out of the restroom.
She bent the corner, and began to take the stairs down, when she saw Professor Cal.
She froze.?
What was he doing here??
She glanced back up and suddenly remembered these stairs also led towards the Library.
But it was still weird that he was here when Valentina was not far very away in the restroom.
She nodded in greeting as she continued walking down the stairs. He nodded back wordlessly.?
When she got to the theater, everyone was already there and talking in low tones.?
She saw the bullies glance at her, but when she glared at them, they hurriedly looked away.
All paired up? The Professors quiet, deep voice asked as he finally entered the theater hall.?
Yes. The students chorused as they looked around to see who everyone had paired up with. Then their eyes fell on her.
Ms.. Professor Cal said, covering the ground towards her.
Shaw. Myra said, turning to look up into his startling, seductive amber eyes.
Ms Shaw. Why dont you have a partner?
I did not know I needed to have one. She said, holding the gaze he too was unwilling to break.
Because again, you arrived late. If punctuality is a problem for you, Im afraid you will be failing my class. He said, staring down at her.
She said nothing for a while, just stared back at him.
The hall was suddenly quiet now.
I could dance alone. She said finally. Or with her. She turned to look at Valentina as she entered the theater hall.
Valentina is with me. A boy said, as he stretched his hand out to her.
Myra turned back to see Professor Cal was still watching her.?
I am afraid you cannot dance alone, Ms Shaw. How well you work with a partner is what this assessment is about.
She wondered what he must have looked like as a young man.?
Every single girl in this class had a big crush on the man. He was handsome in a way that was unnatural, and his dignified age seemed to make him even more desirable.
He was aware of his looks, that was why he probably seduced those students.?
He was staring at her now, the way he had first looked at her when she walked into the auditorium this morning, with curiosity.
You can dance with her, Prof. A boy said from the back.?
Myra turned in surprise to see everyone impatiently nodding in agreement, they all wanted to be done and get their marks.
Only one person was looking at her with venom, the cosmetic-girl, who she still did not know her name.
Do you mind? The Professor asked, his eyes still on her.
Why would I? She parted her lips to whisper.?
The mans eyebrows lifted, then he squinted at her.
He suddenly turned around, and walked away.
Who is going first? He asked as he took a seat and picked up his tablet.?
The speakers came alive as the first pair climbed the stage, and called out their music number to the sound team in the gallery above.
Myra watched the pair gracefully float around the stage in perfect form and sync, as her mind took flight in thoughts again.?
Miss Shaw.?
She looked up and found herself staring into Professor Cals eyes.?
Her breath caught at the intensity she saw there.
He straightened, and leaned back.
Its finally our turn, what do you want to do? He asked, rolling his sleeve up.?
His forearms were all muscles, veined and strong, and she knew he would have no problems lifting her off the floor as they danced.
She inhaled as her eyes traced the dark-inked tattoo on his left forearm, a broad and detailed feather of an eagle.
Whatever you want. She finally responded, and Professor Cal turned back to squint at her with interest again.
Myra tried to measure her breath as her heart began to beat faster and faster.
Everyone was looking at them now, waiting.
Well, you dont plan to dance on that seat, do you?
Huh? her jaw fell.
Come on. My students are impatient to see me dance after so long. he flashed her a broad smile and her heart stopped.
This was the first time the man was smiling, and she was suddenly confused.?
One of her special talents as a detective was her ability to read people.?
But since she met this man, she had not seen even one hint to prove that he was that monster they had analyzed every day at the precinct, for the past few days.?
She stood up.?
In her experience, there were a few cases where looks could be deceiving.?
She just had to make sure this was not one of those.
Till she found clear proof that he was innocent, he would always be a suspect in her eyes.
She walked behind him, and stood on the stage.
Professor Cal walked near the gallery and called out Ed Sheerans Shivers.
As the song started, he walked back and took a position behind her.?
She felt his nose push her hair to the side as he leaned in.
May I? He asked softly, and she resisted closing her eyes as she nodded.
He placed his hands on her waist and she immediately felt the same zap of current she felt when he grabbed her hand earlier.
He felt it too because she heard him inhale sharply behind her, and quickly tried to mask it with a cough.
Heat from his chest burned into her skin, and she did not doubt she was now red all over.
She ignored her body betraying her, and leaned her back fully into his chest as his hands guided her waist, and they moved on the floor.
His hand traveled from her waist up to her shoulder, and then traced a line back down to her wrist, sending fresh shocks up every nerve in her body.
He grabbed her hand, and she artfully spiraled away from him, unfurling like a ribbon.
Then he yanked her back to himself, and she leaned her face against his as they swayed their hips for a few seconds to the rhythm of the music.?
OK for a lift? He asked in a low voice.
Yes. she whispered, becoming breathless.?
He looked strong enough to bench press her if he wanted, so she trusted him not to drop her.
She moved all her weight to her top half as she felt his hands slowly traveling down to her thighs, and suddenly she was in the air, spinning around.?
He caught her easily as she fell back down and gracefully slid down the length of his body, their skin hot against each other, till she was bursting a split on the floor.
He pulled her up again, and she rose to her feet, closing her legs like a pair of scissors.?
She placed her hand on his shoulder as they salsad to the left end of the stage, turning her neck to the audience, and then back at him, again and again.
She did not miss that everyone was watching with their jaws on the floor.
As they moved back to the right side of the stage, she kept her eyes just on him. He too, was staring at her intently.
He spun her around one last time, and then she lowered her top half backward till her body formed a partial upside down V, then slammed back up into his chest.
She found herself staring directly into his eyes as the music finally stopped, and applause erupted all over.?
They were both breathing hard, still in each other’s arms.?
His eyes burned as he looked at her for one long second, swallowed, and finally let go.
They gave a polite bow to the students who were cheering.
Later, everyone was filling out of the theater room, when Professor Cal glanced back at her and said,?
You just got your five points back.
Myra stopped, unsure what to say, when someone suddenly ran back into the theater room, wide-eyed.
Valentina just jumped off the building.
Myra ran upstairs beside the college students.
She peeked over the balustrade to see Valentinas mangled body on the ground floor, blood rapidly pooling around her, before security appeared and threw a trampoline over her.
Myra stepped back, horrified.
She had seen a lot of dead bodies since she became a cop, but this one shook her.?
She had been talking to that girl just one hour ago.
She had noticed she was depressed. Why had she not done anything to help her, or stayed with her?
She looked around at the others, some stunned, the others talking excitedly, and began to back away from them.?
That was her only class for the day, anyway.
She was near her rented luxury car when her phone buzzed.?
She checked to see her father was summoning an emergency meeting.?
She gripped her phone tightly, almost crushing it. He had heard it already.
When she arrived at the briefing hall, everyone was already waiting. She ignored Aiden who was scanning her mini skirt and bodycon top with clouded, furious eyes.?
She saluted the police chief, and he nodded and gestured for her to sit.
This is now a homicide case. He said as soon as she sat down.?
She frowned.?
Valentina jumped off the building herself.?
Just as she thought about this, the projector came on in the almost dark room. She watched in surprise as a video of the college came on, showing the exact spot Valentina died.
The girl stood close to the balustrade and was staring into space. Suddenly, hands appeared from behind and pushed her off the building.
Myra gasped.
You did not suspect something was off, detective? Aiden stressed sarcastically.?
She turned furious eyes at him, and the tension in the room became palpable.?
Myra heard Jess clear her throat beside her, and finally looked away.
This has become a dangerous mission. I suggest Lieutenant Shaw withdraw immediately. Aiden said, turning to look at the police chief.?
Myra did not look at them, she could not bear to.
I can take care of myself, Captain. She said in her most gentle voice. Thank you.
Even when the man you are after is a murderer? Aiden said hotly, leaning into the boardroom table separating them.
What? Myra frowned in confusion.
Captain! Her fathers voice barked, startling everyone.?
She turned to her father, as Aiden relaxed back against his seat with a scowl.
The room fell into silence.?
She knew everyone suspected something was wrong with all three of them at this point, and must be dying to know the details.
The room remained in complete silence as they heard people talking and moving around downstairs. Her father finally turned to her.
We suspect Professor Callaghan pushed Miss Steels.
Why? The question was out of her lips before she could hold back.
Why? Her father frowned at her, then he paused, and his voice took on a low tone again, Probably to silence her.
That makes no sense. He thinks the case against him is closed. Why would he suddenly choose to silence her now??
Perhaps you slipped up on your first day already, and he found out we are investigating. Aiden spoke up again.?
Their colleagues around him shifted uncomfortably.
They had never had such a chaotic meeting before.?
Myra smiled broadly at him, tickled at how much the thought of her around his supposed father was driving him crazy.
So it hurts? And she had only just started.
I can assure you I didnt slip up, Captain Acosta. She said in a humble voice. And I am certain the Professor did not push Miss Steels off that building.?
Everyone turned, and were looking at her now.
She stood up and walked quickly to the projector.?
She paused the video that was on a loop and pointed to the murderers hands.
Although this person has gloves on, and it is difficult to tell their gender even, this gap here. She pointed to the exposed skin between where their hand glove ended and where their sleeve began, Would have been enough to expose the Professor.
What are you talking about?
Professor Cal has a large tattoo on his forearm, Myra said.
Everyone around the table seemed to lean forward and peer at the image.
Her father picked up the control himself and zoomed in on the hands.
Are there no other images that show the face?
We barely managed to get this one. All the footage from the other security cameras nearby had been wiped clean. Major Lila said.
Myra looked away in thought.?
Whoever had killed Valentina was not working alone then. That was the only way all evidence could be scraped so quickly.
Somebody must have seen something. She said out loud, “The college is large, and this spot can be seen from several points.
Her father moved the slide, and she saw herself going to the restroom with Valentina, and then Professor Cal talking to Valentina on the stairway leading down from the restroom.
The same place she had walked past him that afternoon.
She frowned.
You were the last two who spoke to the young woman. I look forward to seeing your report at the end of today. We may find some clues there. Her father said, then paused, but you will not be working solo anymore.
She turned to look at him, surprised.?
Did he simply care about her safety, or suddenly did not trust her to perform well anymore?
Sergent Greg. The chiefs voice called.
Greg hurried to his feet, and stood at attention.?
You will be joining Miss Shaw, act as her boyfriend, best friend, cousin, or whatever, but stick to her.
Myra could not resist stealing a glance at Aiden, and it was a struggle not to laugh.?
Was she imagining it, or was her father suddenly screwing Aiden over?
Were they not lovers? Why did he not care about his feelings? Everyone knew how much Aiden hated men around her.
Yes chief. Greg said stiffly. But as he took his seat again, he smiled at her and she smiled back.
I dont believe that tattoo b*llshit. Aiden suddenly said loudly. You saw the tattoo for the first time today, you cannot possibly remember all the details.?
Have you forgotten I’ve got a photographic memory? Myra fired back. Besides, Professor Cal could not have pushed her.
Why is that? Her father looked up at her.
Because he was with me when she fell.
Aiden literally growled loudly at that statement, and she held his gaze with a small smile.
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