Chapter 1 – High-Risk Assignment.

Mia’s POV

“For how long would I be stuck in the position of a special agent?”

I unconsciously grumbled as I walked past those glass doors into the bullpen; the stares from a few colleagues followed—some curious, some judgmental, most indifferent. Not because I wasn’t good at my job. No, my record was spotless. It was the same damn record that got buried every time a high-profile case came up.

I dropped my file onto my desk harder than necessary, the thud loud enough to earn a glance from Agent Porter over the next row. He raised an eyebrow like he wanted to say something slick. I didn’t give him pleasure with the frustration that was written all over my face, but he went on regardless.

“I fully understand your complaints that, in your 6 years of service, you are meant to have been promoted to senior special agent, as your mates were all promoted in the last three months…”

“Like… You get it?

That's the point. I mean, for how long would I be seen as less because I am a female?”

Just then, I grabbed a folder on my desk and marched toward the glass office at the far end. I'd had enough. Either they respected me as an agent, or they could shove their desk work.

I knocked once, then slightly pushed the door open, mindful of my composure.

If I don't, this might cost me my job as a 'special agent in charge'—Mr. Thompson has the right to write a petition against me.

“Agent Mia,” he said without looking up from his papers.

“Sir, please, we need to talk.”

He looked up slowly, and I saw that familiar flicker—like I was some ticking bomb he didn’t have the patience to disarm.

“What’s on your mind that you want to talk about?”

“I’ve been here 6 years,” I said, standing tall. “15 arrests under my lead, 6 undercover jobs—one of them nearly got me killed, and you know the story. Yet every major op seems to skip over my desk like I don’t exist.” I was so conscious of the tone of my voice.

He leaned back, folding his arms. “You think I’m playing favorites?”

“With due respect, I think I’m being sidelined,” I said coolly. “And I also think if I were a male, this wouldn’t be a conversation.”

That got his attention.

“Be careful with your words, Mia,” he said, with his voice moderately low. “You want an assignment? Fine. I have one. High risk. No backup. You go in alone.”

He slid a new file toward me. Thick. Sealed. Stamped CLASSIFIED.

“If you could meet up with this task within the space of 6 months, then consider yourself a Special Senior Agent, and soon enough, you will be among the top leadership because, as far as I am concerned, you have a clean record, but you know this isn't just in my power.”

“The Astor family?” I asked, flipping it open.

“The son. Kraven Astor. We need someone on the inside. They run guns and drugs and launder half the East Coast's cash—and they’ve never let an outsider in.”

“And you think I’ll be their welcome mat?”

“I think you’re persuasive. And angry. Use it. But then, if I must suggest for you, I would say that you pose as a nightclub singer—apparently, the Astors owned a spot downtown called Lustro. Classy enough for suits, dark enough to hide secrets. I think you should go in as a new hire, gain Kraven’s attention, work your way in, and feed intel back to the bureau.

That must have sounded so easy for him to say it, like it was some sort of going to the supermarket to pick something up or, let's say, going to receive a parcel from a delivery man.

“I will give it my best, but what if I end up not being able to figure it out? Does that mean I will forever be stuck as a special agent here without promotion?”

“You and I know that you have never backed off any assignments, although this one seems to be one of a kind, but then it's the only remedy out.

Even the FBI director will be highly impressed if you get this done, and this might likely be a breakthrough in the way they see females in security services.”

He took a cool breath gently. “One more thing,” he added. “Today is Friday, and visiting the club today will be a great start. You might be lucky, but do your investigation. You can take the day off to have some time for that.”

Just when he said the last word, I took the file and walked out before I said something I couldn’t take back.

***

I got to my place almost immediately after I signed off.

My apartment was quiet. Too quiet.

The file sat open on the kitchen table while I spooned the lukewarm ‘baked salmon’ into my mouth and tried to process what I was reading and the pictures I had. Kraven Astor was the kind of man you didn’t forget after seeing his photo once-with those unique tattoos of his, especially of the hand of hamza he had at the back of his palm. Although I am not that into men, when I see a cute one, I know. He had that smirk that made you want to punch him and kiss him at the same time—dark eyes, razor-sharp jawline, and a scar on his left brow like someone tried to end him once and failed.

I flipped to the next page and stopped cold.

A pendant he had on. Gold. Oval-shaped, engraved with a symbol that looked all too familiar.

I stood up so fast my chair screeched against the tile.

That symbol… I couldn't remember my mom had one just like it, even though it has been long. I used to play with it when I was a kid, twirling it between my fingers while she told me bedtime stories she always cut short when Dad walked into the room.

I hadn’t seen that pendant since the fire broke out.

The same fire that killed both of them.

I stared at Kraven Astor’s photo again. And just like that, I had this strong feeling that this wasn’t just an assignment anymore, or maybe it was a coincidence anyway.

Besides, that is one assignment that I am still trying so much in my head to figure out.

My thoughts were distorted when the ringtone from my phone came on.

I picked up the call as soon as my hands reached the phone.

“Hello, Granny.”

I said the moment I placed the phone in my ears.

“How are you, my dear?” Her voice came up from the other end of the phone.

“I am good.

Thank you.”

“That's fine. I called to remind you that Ransom's 7th birthday is tomorrow.”

“I know that, Granny. Who on earth forgets about her son's birthday?”

“Only One Mia, who is so passionate about her job that she sometimes prioritizes it over family but always sends money.”

There she goes again. I wonder why she must rub it on my face this time too. She can be a sweet thorn in my flesh, and so I decided to keep calm while I know more she has to say.

“Are we expecting you?”

She questioned, and I must say she already knew the answer even before she asked.

“I really wish I could, but work has been something else lately, coupled with the fact that I was given a special assignment with a target.”

“It's always one assignment or the other.”

“You know, Granny, I will definitely make it up to you guys. I will be there with you guys on his 8th birthday, I promise. Will send you some money. See you later, bye.”

Knowing fully she wouldn't stop at anything if not to remind me that was what I said the last time and still didn't fulfill it this time, I ended the call. Besides, I was almost getting pissed, and that was the best way to put her off the phone.

Just immediately, my phone rang again, and I cursed under my breath, but when I looked at the caller, I thanked goodness she wasn't the one calling back.

“Hello, Agent Porter.” I replied the moment I placed the phone in my right ear.

“Yeah, Mia. I sent you some updates and pictures of Kraven Astor to your g****e mail account,come online and see things for yourself. I think that would help you get acquainted with him a little bit easier.”

Oh! I wasn't expecting that—before I left the office, Porter had given me his word that he would assist me in any little way he could, and he actually meant it.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” He questioned with concern.

I understood the angle he was coming from, knowing full well that this is a one-of-a-kind assignment, and just then reality hit me like a memory I hadn’t lived.

But then, I tried so much to wave it off; besides, this is one job I am so passionate about.

“I will give it my best, and so I think that I am ready,” I said with a little smile from my end.

“Thank you, this means a lot to me. So, let me check it out at once.” I ended the call after that and swiped to my g****e mail application to get the updates he shared.

“Wow, this will go a long way with what I already had, but it won't be easy after all.”