173

173
Chapter 173

Anna

Two days later.
"You ready?" Duncan asked.

"I think so. I have everything."
I answered, staring up at the big man that I now called my boyfriend. He was so handsome and intense yet sweet and cuddly.
I really hit the jackpot with him.
"Good. Remember, put on a poker face.
We'll see each other in three weeks."

"Three weeks is so long," I pouted.

"You don't want them thinking we are together, do you?"

"No,"

"Then you'll have to do it. I'm sorry. Nobody is more irritated about this arrangement than I am."

"Kiss me," I murmured abruptly, my hands going to his chest.
Duncan didn't hesited, he claimed my lips 
He claimed my lips with a fiery urgency that made my knees buckle. I clung to his shirt, savoring every second as if it were the last. His hands cupped my face tenderly, thumbs brushing my cheeks while his mouth devoured mine like he needed the taste of me to breathe.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless and dazed, his forehead rested against mine.

"That has to hold you for three weeks," he whispered, his voice rough and low. "Think you can manage?"

"It will be the worst three weeks of my life, baby,"

"Mine too,' he chuckled, one hand caressing my face and the other, my butt.

"Me too." I kissed him agaín.

"I can't wait to go to Paris with you."

"Me too."

"Alright, break it up guys," Lucas said from across the living room.
"You have to get going. Tim just called again."

"Really?" 
I turned...
"Yes, and I'm at my limit."
He said good naturedly.
It still surprised me how Lucas still kept his spark after all of the things that had happened to him.
I was proud...then again, he was probably going through stuff he wasn't talking about.

"Fine, fine. I'll get going. I'm going to miss you guys."

"I'm going to miss you too." Lucas said.

Celia appeared in the doorway, staring at me.

"Come on in,Sis." I smiled at her.

She walked tentatively towards me and I pulled her into a big hug.

She clung to me tightly, her fingers trembling. "Be careful, Anna," she whispered.

"I will."
I smiled.

"Good because I still want to spend more time with you."

"You will."

I left after, knowing how lonely it was going to be in my apartment for a while.

Duncan and I had concocted a plan so I could present a reasonable portfolio of evidence u had to bring down Azeal. We'd planted everything on Azeal. Which wasn't a lot since he was indeed a trafficker and many other insane things I was still very shocked about.
I was on my way to my precinct.

As I rode in the backseat of the inconspicuous black sedan, my thoughts spun like a carousel. My heart ached with the absence of Duncan already, but my focus has to remain sharp. This mission, this charade was dangerous but it was necessary

I clutched the manila folder resting on my lap. Inside were damning photographs, recorded phone calls, falsified documents, and bits of real evidence we'd carefully pieced together. It was just enough to convince the higher-ups to look into Azeal without alerting him.

The driver dropped me two blocks from the precinct. We couldn't risk being seen together. Pulling the hood of my jacket over my head, I walked briskly through the early morning mist, the cold biting at my cheeks. The closer I got, the heavier the weight on my shoulders felt.

But I knew this was for the best.

The precinct became closer and closer as I walked.
I was nervous and hoping for everything they bought. Duncan had gone through great lengths to make it look real.

As I got to the front, I let out a sigh.
"Here goes nothing," I murmured and entered.



"This is amazing." Sly said.
I was seated between three men, the chief, a federal agent and Sly. Tim was outside waiting for me. He'd been the first person I had seen.

"We'll check it out, that's for sure," the federal agent said, flipping through one of the photos. "This is serious stuff, Anna. You've done well."

"More than well," She added, looking at me with a mix of pride and worry. "You've basically done our job for us."

"I didn't do it for glory," I said softly, fingers clenched in my lap. "I did it to stop him "

The chief looked up at me over his glasses. "We'll need you to stay on the case. Your insight, your proximity to Azeal...it could help us dismantle the entrie operation."

I shook my head. "No. I'm done."

"What do you mean, you're done?" Sky asked, straightening in his seat.

"I'm quitting. I only became a cop to take down the people who destroyed my family. I've done that. Or at least, I've set the wheels in motion. It's over...for me,"

"You can't just walk away." the federal agent said, a crease forming between his brows.

"Yes, I can," I replied calmly. "I've given everything u had, my time, my heart, my safety, I'm tired. I want to live my life now."

The chief sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're one of the best we've had, Anna. But if this is really what you want."

"It is,"
Sly didn't speak for a long time. Then, finally, he nodded. "Alright. But promise me something."

"What?"

"Be happy. You deserve it."

I gave him a small smile. "I'll try."
The cold air hit me as I stepped outside. The city moved around me, loud and indifferent. Tim gave me a tight nod before driving off, giving me space.

I walked the last few blocks alone, heart heavy but free.
When I reached my apartment door, I unlocked it slowly and stepped inside.
It was quiet.