NOVPUB
Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Chief Josh Michelle
Vanessa’s car pulled up at the police station, her tires rolling to a slow stop as she exhaled deeply. The drive back had been quiet, giving her time to collect her thoughts, but now that she was here, reality came crashing down. She had changed into a fresh uniform, crisp and professional, but the exhaustion clung to her like a second skin.
As she stepped out of the car and walked toward the entrance, she could feel the weight of the gazes on her. The men in the station all turned their heads as she passed, some offering polite greetings, others giving her appreciative looks that made her skin crawl. She nodded in acknowledgment but kept her pace steady, ignoring the way some of them lingered just a little too long. She had been here for a short while, but the novelty of a stunning new officer hadn’t worn off for them yet. She hoped it would soon.
The moment she stepped inside, the buzz of conversation and ringing phones filled the air. The scent of coffee mixed with stale paper as officers moved about, handling reports, making calls, and dealing with the aftermath of another chaotic day in the city. Vanessa didn’t waste time; she walked straight to the reporting desk and handed in her statement regarding the earlier incident. She briefly glanced at the reports piling up and, just as she expected, spotted Ann’s name. Her report matched exactly what Vanessa had instructed her to say. A small smirk tugged at Vanessa’s lips as she murmured, "Good girl." Ann had done well.
"Officer Carter," a soft voice called, pulling Vanessa from her thoughts. She turned to see a young female officer with glasses standing a few steps away, her hands clasped behind her back. "The chief has requested to see you in his office."
Vanessa’s expression darkened slightly. "What does he want now?" she muttered under her breath, her brows furrowing. She already had a headache from everything that had happened earlier, and now she had to deal with him?
Josh Mitchell. The police chief. A man she detested more than any criminal she had ever arrested. He was a man who didn’t earn his position through merit but through political influence. A man who had no real authority yet sat in an office making decisions he had no business making. The only thing he was truly good at was abusing his power, using his position to manipulate and control, especially when it came to women.
Vanessa sighed, rubbing her temples before straightening her shoulders. "Alright, let’s get this over with."
She followed the young officer down the hallway, her boots clicking against the polished floors. When they arrived at the chief’s office, the officer gave her a small nod before stepping aside. Vanessa didn’t bother knocking; she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Josh Mitchell was sitting at his desk, flipping through some files with a look of deep concentration that Vanessa knew was fake. The idiot probably didn’t even understand what he was looking at. His office smelled of expensive cologne, mixed with the faintest hint of cigarette smoke.
When he noticed her, his face lit up with a grin that made her stomach turn. "Ah, Officer Carter," he said smoothly, gesturing toward the chair in front of his desk. "Please, have a seat."
Vanessa hesitated for a moment before reluctantly sitting down. The chair was stiff, uncomfortable, much like this entire meeting. She could feel his gaze roaming over her, analyzing her, undressing her with his eyes. She kept her expression neutral, but inside, she was seething.
"I wanted to go over your report," Josh began, his tone casual, but Vanessa wasn’t fooled. "Quite the eventful day, wasn’t it?"
She nodded, keeping her answers short. "Yes, sir."
Josh leaned back in his chair, tapping a pen against the desk. "You encountered quite a bit of resistance out there. That must have been... intense."
Vanessa forced herself to stay calm. "It was. But I handled it."
He chuckled. "Handled it? That’s an understatement. I read Ann’s report. Seems like you had quite the close call."
Vanessa remained silent, waiting for him to get to the point.
Josh leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the desk as he stared at her. "Tell me, Vanessa. Are you sure everything you wrote down is accurate?" He had already seen her report the moment she wrote it, it was sent to his computer and he summoned her immediately.
Her jaw clenched. "I don’t submit false reports, sir."
He smiled, but there was something predatory about it. "Of course not. You’re one of my best officers. Which is why I like to... keep an eye on you."
Vanessa felt a wave of disgust wash over her. She had heard the rumors about him. Hell, she had seen the way he operated firsthand. But he was still her superior, and she had to play this carefully.
"I appreciate that, sir," she said, her voice steady, though every fiber of her being wanted to get the hell out of there.
Josh continued to ask her unnecessary questions, ones that were already answered in the report. It was painfully obvious he was dragging this out just to keep her in the room. His eyes kept drifting to her chest, his smirk widening every time she shifted uncomfortably. She had had enough.
She stood abruptly. "Sir, I’ve already detailed everything in my report. If there’s nothing else, I have work to do."
Josh’s smile faltered for a moment before he quickly masked it. He leaned back, waving a hand dismissively. "Of course, of course. Go ahead, Officer Carter."
Vanessa turned on her heel and walked out of the office without another word, her fists clenched at her sides. Even as she left, she could feel his gaze on her, hear the sound of him licking his lips.
Josh Mitchell was the kind of man who believed he could have whatever he wanted. And right now, it was clear he had set his sights on her.
Vanessa exhaled sharply as she made her way back to her desk. She had dealt with men like him before, and she would deal with him again if she had to. But right now, she had more important things to worry about. Like getting back to Liam before he wakes up and do something reckless.
Josh kept staring at Vanessa through the glass wall of his office, his eyes locked on her with an intensity that made the air feel thick. She stood there, clipboard in hand, her uniform crisp but somehow vulnerable under his gaze. The cute officer shifted slightly, clearing her throat as she prepared to leave.
"Is there nothing else I can do before I go continue my work?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of professionalism and nervous energy.
Josh leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face. "In fact, yes," he said, his tone low and deliberate. He stood up, the motion smooth and commanding, and crossed the room to the windows. With a swift pull, he rolled down the curtains, plunging the office into a dim, private shadow. Turning back to her, he closed the distance between them, his presence overwhelming.
As he neared her, his hands moved with sudden boldness. He grabbed the front of her shirt and ripped it open, the fabric tearing with a sharp sound. Her breasts came into view, bare and exposed, and he smirked, a dark satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "No bra," he murmured. "You’re learning."
Vanessa’s cheeks flushed a deep red, her breath hitching. "My shirt!" she protested, her voice a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "That’s the third one this week!" But before she could say more, Josh’s hand slid up, cupping her breast firmly. A soft moan escaped her lips, unbidden, as his other hand gripped her butt, pulling her closer.
