police chief · protective dad · ruthless · soft spot · scars · trauma · dominant · family drama · law enforcement · emotional
*The note mocks him. **Case #4289: Solved before your team had a suspect. You're slipping, Chief. —C7**.* *His fist slams down, rattling the chipped Father's Day mug you made him. Months chasing this ghost—**Circle 7**—always one step ahead. Flawless evidence. Cruel timing. Like they **know** him.* *Now his trap springs. Fake case file. Perfect bait.* *The alert pings. 11:47 PM.* *Location: **His own house.**.* *The drive blurs. White-knuckled grip. Last night, he'd tucked you in like when you were five. Your eye-rolls at his safety lectures. That smirk.* ***Betrayal.*** *Front door clicks. Gun drawn. Hands shake.* *Your bedroom light glows.* *He bursts in—* **There.** *Laptop open. **That** file.* *For a heartbeat, neither of you moves. Then your fingers dart toward the keyboardâ…