𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 40 : 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞.

𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°

☆☆☆𝐄𝐥 𝐎𝐫𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐨☆☆☆

Two hulking bouncers in black suits flanked the entrance, arms crossed—carved out of muscle and concrete.

Breanna strode up first, Sophia stalking a step behind.

With shoulders squared before the guardians of the entrance, She yanked her badge from her coat, flashing it like an access card.

“Detective Breanna Stewart, Homicide Division. We’re going inside.”

The taller of the two men glanced down at the badge, then at her, dragging hollow eyes momentarily at Sophia.

“Clowns” His lip curled, almost a smile but he didn’t move—arms remained crossed.

The other bouncer didn’t even bath an eye, he rather gestured to the crowd at the ropes to check in.

“Didn’t you hear her?” Sophia piped up, indignant. “We’re conducting a walkthrough. Step aside.”

“Not tonight, Detective.” The tall bouncer's voice dropped—gravel.

“I didn't ask.”

Breanna puffed at his audacity, “We’re walking through—Now”

She tried to walk pass—headstrong, but the second bouncer stepped into her path, blocking the entire width of the doorway with his chest.

His breath reeked of cigars and cheap bourbon.

“You just obstructed a detective—That’s a federal offense.” Breanna’s brows slashed low.

The bouncer didn’t move—patrons waiting at the ropes let out a low grudgeful murmur, some leaning on tiptoe to watch.

Phones slid up, cameras already recording.

The taller bouncer let a slow shake off his head, reaching into his jacket.

Breanna tensed, ready for steel—But instead, his huge hand came down with a smack, slamming a folded sheet of paper flat against her face.

The smack froze Sophia in place, while the crowd gasped and laughed low. Entertained.

The weight of the bouncer's hand lingered half a second too long before peeling off, leaving the document stuck there.

Breanna tore the sheet away, her nostrils flaring—It was an insult.

With fiery glare, she scanned the paper.

RESTRAINING PERMIT —El Oro Casino Exemption.

Filed and stamped by the Attorney General.

“How dare you put your filthy hand on a Senior officer.” Sophia tackled the bouncer while Breanna read.

The tall bouncer leaned in, breath hot with whiskey.

“F**k it, sweetie. I only put the law on her face.”

“Son of a b*tch” Sophia lunged, but Breanna caught her wrist before it escalated.

“Little girl, you want to keep your teeth, you stay away—else I drag you across the pavement.” The bouncer straightened to full mountain height—muscles flexing.

“Ma'am just let me” Sophia's arm twitched, the punch cocked—but Breanna’s hand clamped tighter.

Deep down, her own muscles screamed for the fight—God, she too needed it—but cameras above the doors blinked red. Phones from the crowd sparkled— recording.

The weight of the official seal burning like a hell around her wrists.

She leaned in one inch, and whispered over Sophia's ear.

“Look around—don't give them that satisfaction”.

Sophia’s head snapped—grins, recording phones—defamation and suspension waiting to happen.

Antonio had laid it out like a stage. If she swung, their careers burned.

Her chest heaved and she calmly swallowed her fury.

Breanna straightened, eyes locked on the bouncer.

“Listen” Her lip curled—the neon catching the curl as she continued, “Doors don’t stay shut forever. And when they open, I’ll be on the other side.”

“I will be waiting,” the man winked.

Breanna turned sharply, dragging Sophia with her.

Behind them, laughter followed and doors yawned wide, devouring another stream of glittering patrons.

Right above them, at the upper deck, Antonio watched: Breanna’s stiff back, Sophia’s flared temper, the ripple of laughter from the crowd.

He didn’t need the whole conversation to understand. It was all there in their retreat and flashing paparazzi.

“Dumb Dora” A grin uncoiled across his face. Slow. Satisfied.He lazily plucked his phone from the desk, dialed a number with the ease of muscle memory.

☆☆ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐄𝐥 𝐎𝐫𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬☆☆

>By Authority of the Attorney General — This establishment “El Oro” reserves the right to refuse ALL police, federal or local. Enforcement of this exemption may be executed with force if necessary.

“This has to be a joke” Sophia hissed, hands crumpling the paper until it nearly tore.

“How can the judge permit a private business like this, immune to the police. It’s unconstitutional”

Breanna leaned back on the car, jaw clenched so hard—she hadn't uttered a word since they got to the car.

Her phone screen suddenly clicked alive, a call pulling through.

“El Oro Casino is clean. By order of the Attorney General himself. No cops. No detectives. You’re therefore bounced.” A familiar voice purred, smooth with smoke.

“Detective Stewart, I must say, you wear defeat beautifully.”

“Antonio—”

Breanna’s voice came tight, clipped.

“Shhh,” he cut in, savoring her anger. “Don’t ruin the moment—I’m just starting.”

Silence—taut,

A sinister chuckled dripped from his end—wolfish.

“Tell me—how does it feel to be the law, and still be locked out?”

The jeer dropped like a brutal slap, but Breanna let her silence linger.

Tsk—tsk

“Don’t be offended, Hermosa, but this is just the beginning. Next time, I will make you regret ever snooping on me.”

Breanna’s breath crackled through the line, sharp. Then her reply came—molten with rage,

“Do you think that a piece of paper protects you from me?”

Antonio’s grin split wider, carving deeper into his cheeks.

“No, but ahh—the damn paper just made the whole city realize that the servant of the law has no teeth”

“Stop being delusional’’ Breanna snapped, molars clenching.

“Enjoy your laugh while it lasts, but I swear—I will walk into that casino. Permit or no permit, and when I do, you’ll regret ever standing in my way.”

“Brava, detective—but you’d better hurry, else you would miss a profitable scenery”

Breanna glanced at her watch and hissed, “I won't miss it for any reason—watch your throat anyway, cause I’ll be dragging you out by it.”

Antonio tipped his head back, savoring the venom. “Buona fortuna. You’ll need it.”

Click. He hung up, not giving her a chance to spit another word.

“Twerp” Sophia cussed, slamming the windshield with her palm.

“Shhh…I'm thinking” Breanna hushed, eyes not leaving the casino doors in the distance.

Sophia nodded in affirmation, seething inwardly instead.

“Humph” Breanna finally exhaled— long and deliberate. Her gaze flicked toward the next street. Shops were still lit.

Eyes crinkled, as if a plan was stitching together behind them.

“Drive—we have to go shopping,” she said quietly, reaching for the passenger’s door.