The news broke within hours.
Major Organized Crime Kingpin Arrested in Undercover Sting.
Internal Affairs to Review Rogue Operation.
Sources Claim Detective May Have Violated Protocol.
The headlines were everywhere.
By morning, Kayleigh was in federal custody, charged with counts of racketeering, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to bury him for the rest of her life. Several of her men had flipped already, cutting deals the moment the task force delivered them into federal hands.
The Vipers were finished.
But Daniela wasn't celebrating.
She sat across the table from the Internal Affairs board, her badge on the steel tabletop in front of her. Duncan sat beside her, stone-faced.
The lead investigator — Captain Lowell — flipped through her file with slow, deliberate turns, as if enjoying the weight of the silence.
"You understand the scope of what you did, Detective Silva," Lowell said finally.
Daniela kept her tone even. "I understand that I prevented a murder and dismantled a major criminal enterprise."
Lowell arched an eyebrow. "While violating multiple department protocols. Conducting unsanctioned meetings with a criminal informant. Personal involvement that compromised objectivity. Use of deadly force outside of a formal operation."
"Use of deadly force that prevented further casualties," Daniela said sharply. "Including the life of my informant."
Duncan spoke up. "Her instincts were correct. The operation was successful. We've secured charges that the department has failed to build for years."
Lowell leaned back, fingers steepled. "Yes. And yet, if any part of this collapses in court, the department will take the fallout."
There it was. The political game. The quiet threat that IA always tangled: not just about what was right, but who would take the blame if things went sideways.
"We're recommending suspension pending further review," Lowell said flatly. "Effective immediately."
The words hit like a punch — but Daniela kept her face still. She had expected worse.
"Will I be charged?" she asked.
Lowell smiled thinly. "Not at this time."
The meeting ended with the cold efficiency of a machine built to survive scandals. Duncan stood with her, nodding once.
"You did good work," he said under his breath. "That doesn't mean they'll protect you."
"I don't need them to," Daniela replied.
And she meant it.
Eleanor was waiting outside the precinct.
They hadn't seen each other since the raid. Eleanor's face still carried faint bruises, but her eyes were bright — full of questions, and something Daniela wasn't ready to name aloud yet.
"Suspension?" Eleanor asked softly.
"For now."
Eleanor searched her face. "I'm sorry. You risked everything—"
"I knew what I was doing," Daniela interrupted. "I'd do it again."
They stood there for a moment in the cold breeze, the city rushing past them in waves. The world kept moving like none of it had happened.
But everything had changed.
"What happens to you now?" Daniela asked.
"I've cut my deal," Eleanor said. "Full immunity for testimony. New identity. Relocation. I'm officially nobody soon."
Daniela's stomach twisted at the words — even though she had known this was coming.
"You'll be safe?" she asked.
Eleanor smiled faintly. "That was never guaranteed. But... safer than I was."
There was a beat of silence, heavy with what neither wanted to say.
Then Eleanor stepped closer, her voice low and rough with emotion. "You can't come with me."
"I know."
"They won't allow it."
"I know."
"And if they find out what we..." Eleanor trailed off. "They'll bury both of us."
Daniela nodded. The truth sat heavy between them. Unavoidable.
This was the price of survival. Of walking away alive.
And yet — neither moved to leave.
Eleanor reached out, fingers brushing Daniela's hand, then curling into it. Their touch was desperate and soft, as though both knew it wouldn't last.
"I don't regret it," Eleanor whispered. "Not any of it."
Daniela's throat tightened. She squeezed Eleanor's hand. "Neither do I."
The cab pulled up behind them. The new life waiting.
Eleanor exhaled shakily and stepped back.
"This isn't goodbye," she said softly.
"It feels like it," Daniela whispered.
Eleanor smiled through the ache. "Then don't let it be."
And with that, she climbed into the cab and was gone — swallowed by the city, the rain, the carefully erased trail of her new existence.
Daniela stood alone on the sidewalk long after the taillights disappeared.
The badge was gone from her belt. The job that once defined her now hung in question.
But something else remained — something sharp, painful, and undeniable beneath her ribs.
Love.
Not safe. Not simple. But real.
And she would carry it — wherever this crooked world led her next.
.
.
.
.
To be continued