Chapter 609 - 205 Banished to Wasteland

Chapter 609: Chapter 205 Banished to Wasteland

Daniel’s POV

I was putting the finishing touches on my surprise for my little one, reviewing the final details of a legitimate business acquisition that would serve as my wedding gift to Lila. As the day approached, my nerves were getting the better of me. I clicked through the modified contracts, hoping this surprise would bring joy to my partner’s face.

The sound of several knocks interrupted my concentration. I called out permission to enter, knowing it couldn’t be Lila who never bothered with formalities in our police station. Someone stepped inside, but I remained focused on finalizing the paperwork. The distinct click of the lock turning caught my attention, and I immediately looked up.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I growled, feeling my temper flare.

"Hello, handsome! Surprised to see me? I’m the newest addition to Adler’s police team." The irritating woman from our affiliated security unit – the same one who had previously cornered me during a department gathering – stood before me with a smug expression.

Her appearance was entirely inappropriate for our police force’s professional standards. She wore jeans so tight they seemed painted on and a uniform blazer stretched to its limits across her chest. Her makeup was excessive for legitimate police work, with bright red lipstick and dangling earrings that would become hazardous during any law enforcement activities.

"First of all, address me with proper respect. Second, if you’re assigned to Adler’s team, you have no business in my private office. Get out."

"Why don’t you make me leave, handsome?" Her voice grated on my nerves. I glanced at the door, noticing the key was gone. When I reached for my desk phone, she yanked the cord, disconnecting it. Before I could grab my cell phone, she snatched it and tucked it into the back of her pants. "It’s just you and me now, pretty boy."

"I’m wondering how a woman of your caliber made it into our police force. Actually, I apologize to actual professionals of the night! You’re just a vulgar, classless woman who wouldn’t even succeed in that profession!" I stood, towering over her.

She laughed, stepping closer. "That’s it, detective, call me names. I enjoy it."

"Lord help me. You’re absolutely tasteless," I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Stop pretending you’re not interested. I know you find me attractive. Everyone does, because I truly am." Her predatory gaze made my skin crawl. "Getting assigned to this police station wasn’t easy, but I performed a small favor for the academy administration, and they pulled some strings. I needed to see you again because we have unfinished business."

"For heaven’s sake! Don’t delude yourself, woman!" I ran my hands over my face in frustration.

"Don’t act coy. I’m offering myself to you, and I know you want me. Everyone does! Look at me – a real woman! Beautiful, sexy, fragrant, and I can do things that will drive you wild!"

"You couldn’t be more mistaken! I despise vulgar, easy women like you! You’re repulsive! Now return my phone and the key and leave my office immediately."

"That’s not happening. I always get what I want, and I want you. I won’t leave unsatisfied." I snorted in disbelief at her audacity. "You’re so tense, Martinez." She ran her fingers along my arm, making my skin crawl. "I’ll help you relax. When I’m riding you, you’ll forget all your worries."

She lunged at me so suddenly I barely had time to react. I turned my face away to avoid her kiss, feeling her lips brush against my cheek. Though she was tall, I managed to restrain her without causing injury, quickly securing restraints around her wrists and attaching them to the wall fixture specifically installed for interrogating uncooperative suspects.

I examined the phone cord and found she’d damaged it beyond repair. Left with no choice, I approached the door and delivered a powerful kick, splintering the reinforced wood on the first try.

Bella and Gideon were passing by and stopped to observe the commotion.

"Need assistance, Daniel?" Gideon asked as I continued dismantling what remained of the door.

"Actually, yes. Gideon, please find Adler and bring him here. And Bella, I need your help." They looked at me curiously. "There’s a trashy woman in my office who’s hidden my phone in an inappropriate place, and I don’t even want to imagine where she’s put the door key."

Bella smirked and exchanged glances with Gideon. I sighed heavily.

"Bella, could you please conduct a thorough search on this woman and retrieve my phone? She can keep the key since I’ve already destroyed the door." I pleaded.

"Is this woman by chance the new security recruit on Adler’s team?" Bella asked, grinning.

"The very same!" I confirmed.

"Oh, I’ll take great pleasure in this search!" Bella laughed and turned to Gideon. "I told you I’d teach that woman a lesson if she tried anything with you again." She walked past me. "Got gloves, Martinez? I’m concerned about hygiene issues."

"Second drawer of my desk, Bella!" I chuckled and looked at Gideon. "Possessive partner?"

"Extremely! But I wouldn’t have it any other way!" Gideon laughed. "I’ll get Adler. Looks like we’re losing our new officer before she even starts."

"Good riddance!" I leaned against the wall outside my office, listening to the woman’s protests and Bella’s firm commands to stay still during the search.

"All done, Martinez. Phone recovered!" Bella called out, and I reentered my office. "Fair warning – it needs sanitizing!"

"I’m not touching that until it’s clean. Could you ask the cleaning crew to disinfect it thoroughly? Please?" I asked Bella, who laughed.

"Only because you gave me the satisfaction of searching that woman!" Bella departed laughing just as Adler arrived.

"I knew you’d be trouble the moment you set foot in my police station!" Adler looked at the restrained woman with disgust.

"Adler, I was harassed!" She put on a tearful expression, but Adler just laughed.

"Look at this, Daniel. Now she’s playing innocent!" Adler chuckled and I realized he’d already reviewed the security footage. "Listen carefully," he said, pointing to a small black dot in the ceiling corner. "Smile for the camera!"

The woman composed herself, snorting before fixing me with a challenging stare.

"Are you gay, Martinez?" She asked mockingly.

"I would have no issue admitting it if I were, but that’s not the case. I’m simply faithful, and I don’t find shallow, easy, classless women appealing." I responded. She spat in my direction, but I dodged.

"Well then. You’ll be escorted from my police station and banned from returning. Tomorrow morning, report to the academy administration. You’ll be dismissed. Our police force doesn’t need officers who tarnish its reputation."

"Dismissed? That’s absurd! But—" Adler silenced her with a gesture.

"I’ve already sent the incident report and footage to the academy head. Your choices are dismissal or reassignment to what we affectionately call ’the wasteland’ – a delightful little territory across the state where absolutely nothing happens. You’d be stationed there for many years, possibly until retirement. Your choice." Adler was masterful at delivering punishments.

"Please, Adler, I’ll take the remote posting, but don’t let them dismiss me. I need this position." She looked terrified at the prospect of losing her standing.

"Very well!" Adler clapped his hands together. "Only because I’m feeling generous! You’re going to ’the wasteland.’" He laughed and summoned a security officer. "Please escort our former officer off the premises."

As the woman was being removed, Bella returned with my phone.

"Sanitized, Martinez! What’s happening to her, Adler?"

"She’s going to ’the wasteland,’" he replied.

"Why not the northern territories?" Bella asked indignantly, referring to our most isolated and dangerous outpost – a true punishment assignment.

"Because the lieutenant currently stationed there is my friend, and I’m quite fond of his wife. They don’t need this burden." Adler laughed and headed for the door. "We’ll fix your door tomorrow, Martinez!"