Chapter 2: The Assignment

Sienna’s POV

I stormed into Captain Reyes’ office without knocking, my blood already boiling.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said, slamming the door behind me. “Live with him? For ninety days? In his mansion?”

Captain Reyes didn’t even look up from the paperwork at first. He just pointed at the chair across from his desk. “Sit down, Vale.”

“I’d rather stand.”

He finally lifted his eyes, face tired and serious. “This isn’t a request. It’s an order.”

I crossed my arms tight over my chest. “Sir, I just brought that asshole in last night. He’s a walking disaster. Assign someone else. Ramirez, Torres, anyone.”

“You’re the best we’ve got for this,” he said flatly. “High-profile. The department’s under pressure. Judges, media, the label — everyone’s watching. One wrong move and Nova Kane walks free or we look corrupt. You don’t bend rules. That’s why it’s you.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “So I have to babysit a spoiled rockstar who thinks laws don’t apply to him? In his house?”

Reyes leaned back in his chair. “Secluded mansion outside the city. Private security already in place, but you’re the official eyes. You report directly to me. No slip-ups, Sienna. Keep him clean. Keep him inside. And don’t let him get under your skin.”

“Too late for that,” I muttered.

He slid a thick folder across the desk. “Ground rules are clear. You stay on property at all times. He leaves only for approved studio sessions with escort. Any violation, we drag him to jail. Understood?”

I stared at the folder like it was poisoned. “This is insane.”

“Welcome to high-profile cases. Pack your bags. Car’s waiting downstairs to take you there in an hour.”

I grabbed the folder and turned toward the door, jaw locked so tight it hurt.

“And Vale?” Reyes called after me. “Don’t do anything stupid. He’s trouble.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

The mansion was ridiculous.

Tucked away in the hills, all glass walls and sleek black stone, it looked more like a luxury fortress than a home.

The police car dropped me off at the front gate. My suitcase felt heavy in my hand as I walked up the long driveway.

Before I could even knock, the massive front door swung open.

Nova Kane stood there, shirtless, sweatpants hanging low on his hips, revealing deep V-lines and tattoos that snaked across his toned chest and abs.

His messy black hair was still damp, like he’d just stepped out of the shower.

Those sharp green eyes locked onto me instantly, and a slow, wicked grin spread across his face.

“Well, well,” he drawled, leaning against the doorframe. “If it isn’t my personal babysitter. Come to tuck me in, Detective?”

I forced my eyes to stay on his face. “This isn’t a joke, Kane. Let me in.”

He stepped aside with an exaggerated bow. “Mi casa es su casa. For the next ninety days, anyway. Try not to arrest the furniture.”

I walked past him, refusing to breathe in that mix of clean soap and raw masculinity that followed him.

The inside was even more insane — open plan, massive living room with a view of the city lights, and a staircase that looked like it belonged in a music video.

“Nice place,” I said dryly. “Too bad you can’t trash this one.”

Nova closed the door and followed me, eyes never leaving my body. “You look good in civilian clothes, Sienna. That tight little top and jeans? Much better than the uniform. Easier to take off too.”

I spun around. “Rule number one: No flirting. No comments about my clothes. No sexual remarks. This is professional.”

He laughed, low and rough. “Professional? You’re living in my house, sweetheart. We’re way past professional.”

“Rule number two,” I continued, ignoring him. “No parties. No guests unless approved by me forty-eight hours in advance. No drugs. No alcohol. No women. Especially no women.”

Nova raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. He stopped just a foot away, looking down at me with that cocky tilt of his head. “No women? That’s harsh. What if I get lonely?”

“Get a hobby.”

“I have one.” His gaze dropped slowly down my body, then back up. “Right in front of me.”

My cheeks burned. I hated how easily he could do that. “I’m serious, Kane. Break any of these rules and I call it in. You go straight to jail. No second chances.”

He tilted his head, still staring at my lips. “You’re really going to live here and expect me to behave? Ninety days of you walking around in those tight jeans, giving me orders… sounds like sweet torture.”

“It’s not torture. It’s supervision.”

“Call it whatever helps you sleep at night, Detective.” He licked his bottom lip. “But we both know you’re curious. I saw how you looked at me last night when you had me in cuffs.”

“I was doing my job.”

“Bullshit,” he said softly, voice dropping. “You liked it. The power. The control. Bet you’re wondering what it would feel like if I took those cuffs from you and used them the right way.”

I took a step back, heart pounding. “Keep dreaming.”

Nova smirked. “Oh, I will. Every single night.”

I spent the rest of the evening settling into the guest room on the second floor. It was luxurious — king bed, private bathroom, huge windows. Still, it felt like a cage.

By midnight, I was exhausted but couldn’t sleep. Then I heard it.

Loud music thumping through the walls. Heavy bass. A woman’s laugh. Then another.

My blood pressure shot up. I grabbed my robe and stormed down the hallway toward the master bedroom. The door was slightly open, music pouring out.

I pushed it open without knocking.

Nova was sprawled on the massive bed, shirtless again, a bottle of whiskey in his hand. Two women — both barely dressed — were all over him. One straddling his lap, kissing his neck. The other running her hands down his chest.

For a second, he didn’t notice me. Then his green eyes lifted and locked directly onto mine.

He didn’t look embarrassed. He didn’t stop them.

Instead, he stared straight at me while one woman moaned against his skin. His lips curved into that same arrogant smile, eyes dark with challenge and heat.

“Enjoying the show, Detective?” he called over the music, voice raspy and rough. “You can join if you want. There’s plenty of me to go around.”

The woman on his lap giggled and tried to kiss him again, but Nova turned his head, keeping his gaze fixed on me.

My heart slammed against my ribs. Anger, shock, and something dangerously close to heat rushed through me all at once.

“Get them out,” I demanded, voice shaking with fury. “Now.”

Nova’s smile widened. He ran his hand down the back of the girl on his lap but never broke eye contact with me.

“Make me.”

To Be Continued…