A Cop and A Thief

Chapter Two: A Dangerous Game

ETHAN (POV)

I stood in the empty hallway, staring at the note in my hand.

"Catch me if you can."

My jaw clenched.

Raven had played me—again. She had been right there, inches away, and I’d still let her slip through my fingers.

Not this time.

I stuffed the note into my pocket and hurried back toward the ballroom. If she was still in the building, I would find her. I scanned the room quickly, looking for a flash of black satin, a hint of dark hair—but Raven was nowhere to be seen.

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath.

Before I could process my next move, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.

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GRANT (POV)

“Cole, what the hell are you doing here?”

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ETHAN (POV)

I turned to see my captain, Richard Grant, standing near the bar. He looked completely out of place in the middle of all this wealth and elegance. His ill-fitting suit barely masked his usual gruff demeanor. He held a whiskey glass in one hand, his expression sharp and suspicious.

I straightened my tie, masking my frustration. “I could ask you the same thing.”

Grant huffed. “This is my night off. You, on the other hand, look like you’re working.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me you’re after her.”

I didn’t need to ask who her was. Everyone in law enforcement knew about Raven Black.

“She’s here,” I said. “Or at least, she was.”

Grant swore under his breath. “If she’s here, then she’s up to something. And I don’t want you making a damn mess of this gala.”

I ignored him. “She left through the back. I need surveillance footage. Maybe I can catch where she went.”

Grant exhaled heavily, rubbing his temple. “Fine. But you better not let her slip away again.”

I didn’t respond. I was already moving.

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ETHAN (POV)

Thirty minutes later, I sat in the security room, my eyes locked on the surveillance screen.

The footage showed Raven stepping outside through the back entrance. She didn’t run, didn’t even glance over her shoulder. Instead, she paused right under one of the cameras.

Then, she looked up.

Right at the lens. Right at me.

And then—she smiled.

Like she knew I’d be watching. Like she was still playing this damn game.

Then, she was gone.

I clenched my fists.

This isn’t over, Raven. Not even close.

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