Chapter I — Chief Vinícius Cruz

"Fate plays tricks that no one can explain"

Being an honest cop surrounded by so much corruption isn't easy, but I came to make a difference.

Chief Vinicius Cruz, thirty-five years old, six feet tall, blue eyes, and a well-built physique, leads a specialized drug trafficking task force.

Being a cop was always my dream. They call me Chief Cruz. Getting here wasn't easy — after law school, I went through the whole process to become a detective chief, passed the civil service exam, and climbed the ranks as I proved myself until I reached where I am now.

I command a specialized anti-drug trafficking unit. My key officers are:

Santiago Silva, twenty-eight, five foot seven.

Marcos Paiano, twenty-eight, five foot eleven.

Anne Souza, thirty, five foot five.

Bruno Freitas, twenty-five, five foot seven.

More than a team — a family. We work together to keep the city clean of traffickers and drugs.

Everyone goes by their last name on the job. We work undercover most of the time and only wear uniforms on special occasions.

I've been on the force for seven years, but that didn't stop me from losing my only sister to drugs. I blame myself for not noticing who she was getting involved with. By the time I found out, it was too late — she was already gone. My beloved sister, so full of life, lost herself to drugs and died of an overdose.

At her funeral, I made a promise — to her and to myself — that I'd put away the bastard who led her down that road of no return.

I turned myself into a trafficker hunter across the city. A hunt that left a trail everywhere I went, earning me enemies even inside the department.

It hasn't been easy. The bastard keeps disappearing from the country, but his time will come. Until the big fish shows up, we catch the small ones. We'd been working undercover for a week to bust some rich-kid dealers.

Some of them are children of important people who get off on flirting with danger. But we managed to put every one of them behind bars.

Even if some walk out in twenty-four hours, we already know where to find each of them.

Today we wrapped up an exhausting week and decided to blow off some steam.

Maybe some good sex to relax the body and mind. I almost forgot to mention — I'm openly gay. I don't hide my sexuality from anyone. I believe it doesn't change who I am or affect my work. I'm a man who likes sex with other men. No femme types — nothing against them, but if I wanted someone delicate, I'd be with women. I'm attracted to the masculine physique.

I've never had a serious relationship — just hookups and nothing more. I don't want to get attached. With the life I lead, I don't want anyone breathing down my neck when I'm away from home. I usually have a few regulars when I'm really stressed and don't have time to talk. But there's one guy who already knows me and never makes demands — we hook up when it works out. No strings, no jealousy. What happens between us is just sex and nothing more.

Miguel, twenty-eight, five foot seven. A criminal defense attorney.

I was already dressed to go out when my mother called me.

Viviane Cruz, fifty. Vinicius Cruz's mother.

"Another year and you won't go visit her."

She said it with such sadness.

"The day I catch that bastard, I'll go give her the news."

My mother hugged me around the waist. Today marks another year since her death, and since I buried her, I've never gone back.

"My son, forget about all that."

I turned to her and kissed her forehead.

"When I catch him, I'll forget. Now I've gotta head out with the crew. Don't wait up for me on the couch."

I knew she wouldn't listen. I got my stubbornness from her.

We have a spot we like to hit up when we want to unwind on the weekends. We arrive in separate cars and only acknowledge each other once we're inside.

The place was packed, but someone always comes early to reserve a table so everyone has somewhere to sit when they show up.

"God, you guys are worse than me when it comes to getting ready!" Anne shouted over the loud music.

One by one, everyone arrived. The table filled up with different kinds of drinks. We were having a good time when my eyes landed on a sight that took my breath away. The guy was walking in with two other people, but everywhere he went, he left eyes following him. For a split second, our gazes locked and he broke into a smile that carved two dimples into his cheeks, making him look even sexier. But the smile faded just as fast, and he disappeared into the crowd.

"What's up, boss?" Marcos asked.

"I think he's already on the hunt!" Anne teased with a grin.

"Nah, I just thought I saw a friend," I lied. Didn't want to get roasted all night.

The night went on — drinks, random conversations, and ridiculous dancing — but my eyes kept scanning the room for the man with the sexy dimples.

It was time to leave. Everyone went their own way. I walked to the parking lot and ended up seeing something that caught my attention. It was the same guy from inside the club — he was arguing with the same woman. He looked pretty upset, running his hands over his face and gesturing. The other guy walked up and he left them alone. Some people came by making noise and distracted me. When I looked back, he was gone. I got in my car and drove out slowly, hoping to spot him, but he'd vanished. No point getting excited — a good-looking guy like that probably only goes for women or already has someone. I'm not on the prowl. Just out having fun with friends.

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