The hum of the engine filled the silence. The city lights streaked past the windows, painting fleeting patterns across Leah's face as she sat quietly in the shotgun seat.
Neither spoke. But tension? It was very much alive—hovering between glances, brushing against unsaid thoughts.
Daniel glanced sideways, noting how still she was. Composed. Almost too composed for someone who'd just met a stranger and gotten in his car.
She's not ordinary, he thought.
Leah, on the other hand, had her gaze fixed outside. But her mind?
No ordinary man drives a black Porsche Panamera in that outfit and smells like blood.
She exhaled lightly. "I'm Leah. Leah Davies."
He let her name hang in the air a second before responding, voice calm and measured. "Daniel Blackwood. I work for a company in the city."
"A company?" she tilted her head slightly, catching his gaze. "Doing what?"
He smirked faintly. "Logistics. Movement and distribution. Not too exciting."
She nodded, playing along. "I'm a cop."
There was a flicker in his eyes—a spark of interest.
A cop with reflexes that fast? Hands like that? he thought. There's more to you, Leah Davies.
But he said nothing.
The silence returned—but this time, it was laced with amusement and something unspoken.
Then Daniel's phone vibrated once.
A message.
He pulled it up, his thumb hovering just long enough for Leah to catch the faint shift in his energy.
Whatever it was, it made his jaw tick slightly.
"Everything okay?" she asked, keeping her tone casual.
He glanced at her and smiled faintly. "Yeah. Just business."
Liar, she thought.
But she didn't call him out.
Instead, she leaned back, crossing her arms lightly. "What cologne is that?"
His brow lifted. "Cologne?"
"Yeah. There's… a metallic tone to it. Something sharp."
He chuckled under his breath. "Never had anyone describe it like that."
She smiled faintly "I guess I have a different nose."
Neither of them laughed.
Because both knew it wasn't really about cologne.
---
They reached the curb near what looked like a normal residential complex.
Daniel brought the car to a smooth stop. "Thanks for helping out back at the store."
Leah nodded, fingers already reaching for the door. "Thanks for the ride."
He tilted his head, watching her for a moment longer than needed. "I get the feeling we'll meet again, Leah."
She met his eyes evenly. "Guess we'll see."
She got out.
Her shoes hitting the pavement softly. Then, she moved towards darkness around the gate but she didn't entered instead pulling the hood of her black hoodie back over her head she sneaked down a dimmer side street.
The car she thought had drove away captured her sneaking away.
a black car that should have drove away watched her silently.
Daniel's lips curved into a faint smirk as he leaned back into the shadows of his seat. Interesting, he thought. Then his car purred back into motion and disappeared into the night.
---
Inside her apartment, Leah kicked off her shoes moved towards olaf
Olaf barked once from his bed, wagging his tail.
She pulled out her phone as it buzzed again.
A secure message flashed on her screen.
Leah stared at the screen, her lips slowly curving into a smile.
[Mission Brief: Human Trafficking Case - Code Priority Alpha]
Suspected Leaders: Ivan Markov, Elias Thorne, Daniel Blackwood and some other mens name mentioned.
But what caught her attention was one name.
Daniel Blackwood.
Then she dropped a message to her colleague to run a background check on all those men .
I want every scrap—past addresses, business records, known associates, and anything the surface files missed.
Then flopped down on the bed.
"Let's see, Mr. Office Worker…" she whispered into the quiet.
"We'll find out what you really are."
---
On the other hand
The elevator chimed softly as it reached the top floor of one of Timoro's most exclusive high-rises.
Daniel stepped into his penthouse—sleek, sharp, and darkly opulent.
Everything was black and blue. Marble floors the color of ink, clean steel edges, and walls laced with deep navy panels that caught the moonlight just right. Minimalist. Expensive. Cold. Just like him.
A low hum echoed as motion sensors activated soft lighting. The massive floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered a view of the city that looked like it belonged in a different world—stars twinkling below rather than above.
He tossed his jacket onto the couch and headed to the en-suite, shedding the day with a steaming hot shower. Minutes later, dressed in a loose black shirt and slacks, his damp hair slicked back, he walked barefoot across the silent penthouse... and into his office.
He stopped in front of the glass, hands in his pockets, gaze scanning the glittering skyline.
He pulled out his phone and tapped a number.
The call was answered instantly.
"Mr. Blackwood."
The voice on the other end was precise and calm—his trusted secretary, Mason.
Daniel's voice dropped, smooth and dark. "Find out who's trying to play games with me. I want names. Where they breathe, who they love, and what they fear."
Mason didn't miss a beat. "Understood. I'll activate the shadow track team. Anything else, sir?"
Daniel's eyes narrowed, a flicker of amusement touching his lips. "Yes."
He turned away from the window and walked toward the massive onyx desk, dragging his fingers across the polished surface.
"Find out everything about a woman named Leah Davies."
A brief silence.
Mason paused, surprised. "...Did something happen?"
Daniel's tone smooth, low and unreadable. "Nothing happened. Yet. But she's not just a city cop."
Another silence
Then Mason replied "Understood. I'll have the full details on your desk within twenty-four hours."
The call ended.
Daniel set the phone down, staring at the skyline again. His reflection in the glass blended with the city lights.
He let out a soft chuckle. "Rough hands… sharp instincts… a soft voice wrapped in steel."
Then he tilted his head slightly, dark eyes gleaming.
"You're definitely not what you look like, Leah Davies. The question is... what are you hiding?"
He folded his arms and leaned against the glass, watching the night stretch endlessly.
The game had started.
And somewhere between truth and lies, two dangerous players had just met.
---
Cliffhanger Pull:
Who's watching who? And which secret will explode first—the cop's… or the criminal's?