Darcy Collins had been by Victoria’s side for nearly half of her career. When Isabel came to her with the evidence proving Darcy was the mole, Victoria had been so relieved that Isabel wasn’t the mole that she hadn’ processed what it meantthat Darcy was. Lieutenant Collins was the one person in this precinct she’d trusted implicitly. Seeing her in handcuffs on the wrong side of the interrogation room had broken something inside her.
Rage had turned her vision red as her heart broke into a million pieces. Part of her wanted Darcy to suffer for her betrayal, but the rest of her couldn’t bear to see Darcy be punished. Victoria had sat there listening to Darcy talk and had no idea how she was going to handle this mess. The Victoria before Isabel would have raised hell and made Darcy regret ever crossing her, but she felt the soft part of her heart that had melted begin to ache for Darcy’s pain.
Instead of leaning in, Victoria had lashed out at the source of her newfound softness. Isabel. She couldn’t afford to break apart due to Darcy’s betrayal, just as much as she couldn’t afford to be any weaker in the face of the shitstorm of press the precinct was about to receive. And Isabel made her feel…soft. Weak. She couldn’t afford that right now. So, she’d cut off the source of her weakness.
Victoria looked up at the door, feeling her heart crack in half as she played over their conversation.
You think if you just stay cold enough, disciplined enough, you’ll never get hurt again.
That was the thing. She was already hurt. Tears that once hid frozen behind her icy walls fell down Victoria’s cheeks, searing her with their warmth.
Victoria screamed and threw the pen in her hand clear across the office.No.She was NOT going to let Isabel get under her skin again. She was Captain Victoria Langley. She had a precinct to run and a press conference to hold. She would not become some simpering fool crying over a broken heart.
The press room was packed—rows of cameras, reporters, and the hum of whispered questions just waiting to explode into noise. The air smelled faintly of coffee and hot lights.
Victoria stood at the podium, the seal of the Phoenix Ridge Police Department gleaming behind her. Her uniform was pristine, every line crisp, every medal exactly where it should be. Outwardly, she was the picture of composure. Inwardly, her pulse hadn’t stopped pounding since she’d stepped up to the microphone.
She adjusted the papers in front of her—unnecessary, but it gave her something to do with her hands. Then she looked up and began.
“Good afternoon. I’m Captain Victoria Langley, and I’m proud to announce that thanks to the tireless efforts of the Phoenix Ridge Police Department, Chloe Harper has been safely recovered and reunited with her mother, Lily Harper.”
The room erupted into applause and flashes. Victoria waited, her expression calm and patient. When the noise settled, she continued.
“This case tested every one of us. The investigation required collaboration across multiple divisions and long hours from detectives and field agents alike. I’m incredibly proud of the bravery and professionalism shown by this department. Phoenix Ridge can rest easier knowing that one of its own is home safe.”
She stepped aside slightly, gesturing toward the two figures standing just behind her.
Lily Harper stepped forward first—poised, polished, and the picture of quiet composure even under the press lights. Her sleek dark hair framed her face perfectly, though up close, Victoria could see the faint shadows of sleepless nights beneath her eyes.
Beside her, Chloe shifted awkwardly, clearly overwhelmed by the attention. Her long chestnut hair fell loose around hershoulders, and her green eyes darted toward her mother for reassurance. Lily rested a steadying hand on her back before facing the microphones.
“I can’t begin to express what today means to me,” Lily said, her voice smooth but trembling faintly at the edges. “For days, I didn’t know if I’d ever see my daughter again. And now, thanks to Captain Langley and the Phoenix Ridge Police Department, I have her back.” She turned slightly toward Victoria, her gaze warm and earnest. “You gave me my family again. I will never forget that.”
Victoria inclined her head, accepting the gratitude with practiced restraint. “We’re just doing our job, Ms. Harper.”
Lily smiled faintly, brushing away a tear before stepping aside. Chloe hesitated, then leaned toward the microphones, her voice small but determined.
“I just…want to say thank you,” she said. “To everyone who didn’t give up. You saved me.”
The applause that followed was softer this time, genuine.
Victoria stepped forward again to close the conference. “We’ll continue to pursue the individuals responsible for this kidnapping and bring the full weight of the law against the Iron Fang Syndicate. Phoenix Ridge will not tolerate the exploitation or endangerment of our citizens. Thank you.”
The moment she stepped away from the podium, the questions started flying.
“Captain Langley, any comment on the arrest of a fellow officer?”
“Do you believe there are more moles within the department?”
But she didn’t answer. She simply nodded once to her communications officer and made for the side exit.
Out in the hallway, the noise of the press faded behind the thick walls. The quiet hit her like a physical relief. She exhaled, shoulders loosening for the first time all day.
For a brief second, she let herself believe she could go back to her office, shut the door, and breathe.
Then she heard the hurried footsteps behind her.
“Captain Langley?”
