CHAPTER NINETHEEN: …the one person who makes him soft.

HOPE

I knocked lightly on Ace’s office door, half-hoping he wouldn’t answer. When no voice responded from within, I turned the knob and peeked in.

Empty.

Good. I whispered to myself before walking into the room completely.

I had brought a stack of reports that needed his signature, but truth be told, that wasn’t the only reason I came. My handler’s warnings echoed in my mind like an alarm clock I couldn’t hit snooze on anymore.

Get something on him. Get proof. Something that justifies your existence in this mission.

And here I was. In his office. Alone.

I stepped inside slowly, shutting the door behind me. The air smelled like cedarwood and something distinctly Ace. Power. Discipline. Secrets.

The documents I was supposed to drop off sat in my hand, but my eyes weren’t on them.

They were on the drawers.

No cameras. No assistant. No watchful Ace.

My heart beat faster as I inched toward his desk. Just a quick look. A harmless peek. I told myself it was part of the mission. That it was justified.

I opened the top drawer…neatly organized, files labeled meticulously. But none of them looked remotely illegal or suspicious. The second drawer held loose papers, business cards, receipts…nothing juicy.

I bent to check the last drawer when the door creaked open behind me.

I spun around so fast I nearly tripped on my own legs/

It was Bob.

“Whoa,” he said with a lifted brow and a slow smirk. “Didn’t realize this was a scavenger hunt.”

I straightened quickly, slamming the drawer shut like it had burned me. “I…I was just looking for him. He wasn’t around, and I needed these signed,” I held up the files awkwardly.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, expression unreadable but not unkind. “Relax, Hope. I’m not going to bite you. I believe you.”

My pulse slowly started to even out. Bob had grown more... approachable lately. Ever since my trip with Ace, there was this strange unspoken ease between us.

He stepped further in and glanced at the reports in my hand. “You know, you could’ve just left those on the desk.”

“I know,” I said. “But... I thought I might catch him on his way in.”

Bob gave a little hum of amusement. Then, with a glint in his eye, said, “So, tell me…are you into him?”

My brows shot up. “What?”

“Ace,” he said casually, walking toward the desk and flicking a pen between his fingers. “You got that dazed look every time you’re near him. And don’t think I didn’t see the awkward moments too. You know, the I-want-to-fuck-the-hell-out-of-you kinda awkward”

I opened my mouth, then closed it. Crap.

Bob was joking. Mostly. But he was also watching me closely. Testing me.

I gave a light laugh, pretending to brush it off. “I work for him, Bob. He’s my boss.”

“Uh-huh,” he nodded slowly, eyes twinkling with mischief. “So, that’s a yes in secret code?”

“I’m not confirming anything,” I said, giving him my most innocent smile. “Besides, aren't you the one who warned me that Ace is not the type to get soft?”

He smirked. “Still true. But it’s fascinating watching the one person who makes him look soft.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t have to. He already read more than I wanted him to.

“Come on,” he said, gesturing toward the hallway. “Let’s get out of here before your boyfriend walks in and thinks we’re plotting a coup.”

I followed him out and down the corridor toward my office. We talked casually, mostly about work and a few funny things Bee had said, and just before he left, Bob turned back, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

“You’re sharp, Hope. Just don’t get too lost in this place. Plus, you never know who’s watching.”

Then he walked away.

I exhaled, sinking into my chair.

He didn’t catch me snooping.

That was a close call.

But also… that was the first time someone outside the Bureau had seen a glimpse of the truth I was trying to suppress.

And it terrified me more than being caught ever could. Bob was too mysterious in an unserious manner. You never what he’s thinking. Maybe, just maybe he caught but pretended anyway and there was no way of telling.

A little worry started to creep up my spine as I stared at the ceiling.