CHAPTER 2

Inside the chief of police’s office, the morning started off like any other for Police Lieutenant Colonel Hunter Hidalgo—or so he thought. His peaceful daily routine was interrupted by the arrival of a particular visitor, someone who had the uncanny ability to turn his day upside down. It seems like this visitor of his has been cursed by some bad spirit or witchcraft, though. Sometimes, she was a headache, and other times, she was outright intimidating. Not in the traditional way, though. Her weapon of choice? A beauty jutsu so potent that even someone as stoic and composed as PltCol Hunter couldn’t help but falter.

Throughout his years in law enforcement, Hunter had faced all sorts of criminals and situations that tested his mettle, earning him the position of chief of the city’s police department. But Bridget Augustus, CEO and executive writer extraordinaire, always had a knack for throwing him off his game.

“Oh, Bridget, you’re here bright and early,” Hunter greeted, leaning back in his chair, his tone carrying a mix of teasing and resignation. “This must be important.”

Bridget, dressed impeccably as always and exuding an air of diva-like confidence, didn’t bother with pleasantries. She strutted into his office, her leather boots clicking against the tiled floor, and plopped herself down on the chair across his desk without asking for permission. Sliding off her oversized sunglasses, she placed them dramatically on his desk. Her eyes, deep and piercing like a desert bloom, locked onto his, making Hunter momentarily swallow his confidence.

“Not really, Hidalgo,” Bridget said nonchalantly, brushing invisible dust off her designer coat. “I just need a juicy story for my next publication. Nothing unusual. Surely, you’ve got something big you’re keeping from me. Come on, you know how this works.”

Her voice was confident, almost theatrical, with an edge of princess-like entitlement. She was, after all, a woman who commanded both fear and admiration wherever she went. And though people worshipped her from afar, no one dared to pursue her—not that anyone stood a chance.

Hunter shook his head, torn between disbelief and amusement. How did he, the city’s chief of police, allow himself to be treated like this? The answer was simple: history. Their families had been close for generations, and the Hidalgo family owed the Augustus family a great deal. That, combined with Bridget’s relentless charm, made it nearly impossible to refuse her anything.

“Alright, Bridget,” Hunter sighed, reaching under his desk to pull out a stack of thick files. “If you were a criminal, I’d probably resign. You’re impossible to deal with, you know that?”

Bridget’s lips curled into a triumphant smile, the kind that could melt the resolve of even the most hardened criminals. “Thank you, my hero,” she said, blowing him an imaginary kiss.

“Such a naughty girl…” Hunter muttered under his breath, flipping open one of the files. One particular case caught his eye. He hesitated for a moment before deciding to share it with her, even though it was against protocol.

“This is classified information,” he began, his tone turning serious. “We’re currently conducting a discreet operation against a major mafia group in the city—the Scarface Cartel, led by their ruthless boss, Deather, also known as Scarface.”

Bridget’s eyes widened with intrigue, her excitement almost childlike. “I’ve never heard of them,” she admitted, leaning forward. “This sounds like a massive story!”

Hunter paused, momentarily caught off guard by her enthusiasm. “It could be, Bridget… for you. But for us, it’s a dangerous operation that could crumble if the wrong people find out.”

“Come on, PltCol Hunter Hidalgo,” Bridget said, standing up and adjusting her sleek leather jacket. “This is me you’re talking to—the most brilliant and beautiful woman in the field of journalism.” She winked at him, her confidence radiating. “I won’t fail you. Trust me, Hunter.”

Hunter sighed, shaking his head. “Fine…” he said reluctantly, knowing he was probably making a mistake. “Since you already know—”

“Exactly!” Bridget interrupted, stepping closer to his desk and resting a hand on his arm. Her face was just inches from his, her perfume intoxicating. “You’re going to keep me updated, right? My hero?”

Hunter leaned back instinctively, trying to regain some composure. His cheeks burned as he tried to focus on anything but her piercing gaze. If there were a law against using beauty as a weapon, Bridget would be serving multiple life sentences.

“Ugh, what a drag…” he muttered under his breath. “Alright, Ms. Augustus, I’ll keep you updated. But don’t do anything reckless. Wait for us to give signals.”

Bridget tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Reckless? Me? Never,” she said with a playful smirk, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She leaned in even closer, and Hunter’s heart skipped a beat. “Are you sure you’re not just being forced into this, my hero?”

“N-no!” Hunter stammered, his voice cracking slightly.

“Good,” Bridget said, stepping back and flashing him one last dazzling smile. She turned on her heel and sauntered toward the door, her hips swaying with effortless grace. Just as she reached the exit, she glanced over her shoulder and threw him a playful wink.

Hunter sat frozen in his chair, staring after her. “Wow…” he muttered, utterly disarmed. He couldn’t believe how easily she could reduce him, the fearless chief of police, into a flustered mess.

Meanwhile, Bridget returned to her car parked outside the precinct. Sliding into the driver’s seat, she pulled out her laptop and began typing furiously. Her dramatic flair extended even to her work, but her skills as a journalist were unmatched. She thrived on stories that were as dangerous as they were captivating.

“Scarface Cartel, huh?” she mused aloud, her fingers flying across the keyboard. “This is going to be a bestseller.”

She outlined the story carefully, mindful not to disclose the classified details Hunter had shared. But her mind was already buzzing with plans to dig deeper.

Back in his office, Hunter sat staring at the stack of files on his desk. “What have I done?” he murmured. He knew he shouldn’t have told Bridget anything, but there was something about her that always made him cave. She was a force of nature—impossible to resist and even harder to control.

The Scarface Cartel case was no joke. One wrong move could jeopardize the entire operation. But deep down, Hunter had a sinking feeling that Bridget wouldn’t stop until she got herself involved.

As Bridget closed her laptop, a satisfied smile spread across her face. She picked up her phone and dialed a contact. “Hey,” she said, her voice low and serious. “I need intel on a certain Scarface Cartel. No questions asked. You know I’ll pay top dollar.”

Unbeknownst to her, someone on the other end of the line was already listening. The Scarface Cartel had their eyes on her, and her next move would plunge her into a dangerous game she wasn’t prepared for.

But Bridget Augustus was no stranger to danger. With her wit, beauty, and relentless drive, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.