002

ARI’s POV

As I rushed to my home, to change, the aches followed me. Heat rushed to my cheeks knowing the reason why.

The memories of last night were fuzzy, but not gone. I was in control of my actions. The pleasure and aches that swam around me back then was something I'd never felt before.

I shook my head frantically. I couldn't think about that right now. Not when there was something important going on.

I quickly got dressed in my gear before leaving home. Terra Street wasn't too far from where I was and I wasted no time in getting there.

The moment I was near I could already hear the gunshots from a distance.

I moved into action, managing to tackle one of the thugs from behind and knock him out before anyone could notice. Sneaking in through the other side, I shot at them from behind, fighting the ones that came near before knocking them out. Any pains from before were numb as adrenaline pumped through me.

By the time the rest of the team spotted me, I managed to take down a few of the goons, leaving only a few remaining which we outnumbered them by. The battle was over in minutes.

As the other detectives took their time apprehending them including the unconscious ones, Gina, one of my coworkers ran towards me.

“Hey, good work out there. We wouldn't have gone so far without you.” she said, looking over at me.

“Are you okay ? You look like hell hung you over,” she chuckled and I smiled uneasily.

A loud noise cut me off before I could say anything and we all stiffened in alarm, reaching for our guns and moving back.

“He brought more people,” one of our officers alerted us, but it was already too late.

Suddenly gunshots scattered the room making us scatter. I barely had time to run before shielding myself against the nearest wall. My jaw clenched as I looked from the corner.

Men were emerging from the other entrance of the building. All of the men we'd cuffed were still in place, we hadn't managed to apprehend a single one and we won't be able to at this rate now that we were outnumbered.

Looking around me, only a twinge of relief came at seeing that there were no casualties on our side. All the police officers were around, all of them, including Gina looking at me for orders.

My jaw clenched. There was nothing we could do at this moment. Reinforcements were no doubt on their way but it would take time we didn't have.

There was only one option left.

“Retreat” I called out, loud enough for them to hear. They got the message and nodded, separating from each other on the run. I did the same, darting away from the building and running into the nearest warehouse I spotted.

Shutting my eyes, I leaned against the nearest surface and let my gun lax in my hand, using my other hand to run through my hair.

We were so close to getting any information from them.

I saw it from their tattoos alone. They weren't normal thugs. Those were the thugs from the Mafia, no doubt sent by their leader, Cross Margiello.

It had been years since he'd practically taken over this city, yet no matter how hard we tried we hadn't gotten a single trace of him. Nothing to pin him down with when even his lowest ranking members proved elusive.

This was a good opportunity and it was screwed up. Now we had to hide while at their mercy. I had no doubt that they would have left.

A mix of anger and self loathing filled me. If I had gotten here earlier, would things have been different?

It was a horrible thought yet it circled my mind continuously.

I felt no relief at the sound of police sirens. Closing my eyes to them, I dreaded what would happen next.

“Ari?” I turned around, dazed to find Jonathan standing there, his face full of worry in his detective gear.

“Are you okay baby? We're you hurt anywhere?” He asked, face full of concern as he held my hand.

Everything rushed towards me alongside the reminder of last night and his actions. As if the blunder today wasn't bad enough, he had to come in and make things worse.

He had the audacity to act so concerned?

How dare he?

I slapped his hand away, finally moving away.

“I can take care of myself,” I spat out harshly, walking away from him furiously. Clenching my fists, frustration filled me with the entire situation.

I hated all of this.

….

“You let them go!”

I flinched against Aaron's barked out words, gripping my intertwined hands behind me.

“We were so close. That was the closest lead we had and you couldn't capture a single one?” Aaron asked, the Commissioner of Police beside him.

Shame filled me in the face of his beration. I was already beating myself up about it, but coming from him, it felt worse.

He was right. I should have been more careful. Should have captured one at least.

Aaron slumped on the desk and his wrinkles looked even deeper, his face older.

“I called you to take charge of the situation, but today. You've really disappointed me.” he said

It was like a blow to my chest.

Ever since I entered the police force he had been my mentor, encouraging me and trusting me till date. And what had I done?

I spent the night recklessly and came onto the scene later than expected. He was right. I was a freaking disappointment…

“Captain, with all due respect, she isn't to blame for this” Jonathan's voice broke the silence, making me look up.

“From what I heard from the other detectives the battle wasn't in their favor until she arrived. Nobody, including us, expected Cross to send backup, especially when he's been hiding for so long. Not to mention that this is the closest we've gotten to arresting them and it's thanks to her. Detective Santiago did her best” He said,

I glared daggers at him. Like always he had confident words and sway. His words were in my defense and once I would have even been grateful but I couldn't care less when he had obvious intentions. Did he think doing this would get me on his good side?

Hell. No.

Aaron's sigh made me look back towards him. He looked at me for a long time before shaking his head.

“Let's consider this a lesson to never be repeated. Dismissed,” he said.

I could tell from Jonathan's penetrating stare that he wanted to talk to me. Immediately we left the office, I didn't hesitate to walk past him, treating him like he didn’t exist.

But of course he would let me be. I held back the urge to attack when he pulled me back.

“I went to your house to look for you last night. Where did you go?” He asked.

“None of your business,” I tore my hand away from his.

“You know that's not true,” he said, and there came that flirtatious smile. Did he think he could sway me?

I barely held back the urge to slap it off.

“As far as I'm concerned I've broken up with you.” I spat, watching the smile slip off his face with satisfaction.

Where was his bravado now?

“Baby,” he shook his head, “About last night. Let me explain-”

“There's nothing to explain. We're done.” I hissed, glaring at him.

Before he could speak I stormed away. A huff left me.

I needed a breather.

The early morning chill pricked my skin as I stepped out of the building, reminding me that everything that happened has been less than a few hours. I moved towards the mostly empty street walking past several shops before stopping near an alley to rest.

“You look like you had a hard day,” a voice started me.

I stood up alert at the voice, silently cursing at myself for not being careful. Spinning around I stopped as I met a pair of familiar eyes.

It was my one night stand Stranger.