Chapter 2

The squad room was similar to the one he'd been in at the Vice Unit – about six desks lined up neatly in two rows, each one cluttered with various personal touches: coffee mugs, stacks of case files, and the occasional potted plant or stress ball. A large whiteboard was posted in the corner, currently displaying a mix of mugshots, surveillance photos, and leads.

Edward stopped in his tracks at the room full of team members, some of which he could name just from hearing about them over at Vice. Who he assumed to be Alice – a small, barely there woman with a neat pixie cut and sharp eyes, was hunched over her desk typing furiously on her laptop. Across from her, Edward assumed was Emmett, who was leaning back in his chair, tossing a baseball from hand to hand. He noticed Edward first, dropping the ball on his desk and standing up.

"Fresh meat," Emmett said loudly, a grin stretching across his face. The door faintly creaked behind Edward as he fully stepped inside, and everyone with the exception of Alice, looked towards him.

"Hey," Edward said cooly, nodding at them once, just as a door from the opposite of the room popped open. Seargent Charles Soloman stalked out of what Edward is assuming his office, and raised an eyebrow Edward's way. "Nice of you to join us, Masen. Five minutes late on your first day—making a great impression already," Solomon said, his tone more teasing than scolding, though there was a hint of his no-nonsense attitude beneath it.

"Sorry, sir," Edward said, hands positioned behind his back. "I had a bit of trouble this morning with coffee. It won't happen again."

"We have coffee here," a blond woman said, tipping a Styrofoam cup his way. "Shits good, too."

"She drinks hers black," Emmett deadpanned, to which the woman swiftly lifted her middle finger up to him in response.

"Masen, this here is Rosalie Hale –" Solomon pointed to the blond, "Emmett McCarty, Jasper Whitlock –" another blonde, male, standing cross-legged by the whiteboard, "Alice Brandon, and Jacob Black." Jacob stood from his seat in the back, nodding in acknowledgement towards Edward. "Guys, this is Edward Masen. He's from Vice."

"No shit?" Emmett said, eyebrows raised. "Do any hardcore undercover shit?"

"Yeah, actually. It was my last case before I transferred," Edward shared, almost reluctantly.

"Edward, you can take this desk right here," Solomon said, nodding towards a desk in the middle. Edward walked towards it, depositing his messenger bag in the leather seat underneath it.

"Anyone see Bella?"

"I tracked her to have arrived about ten minutes ago," Alice piped up, not lifting her head from her computer. "I think she went to the showers."

"Al, what have we told you about tracking us?" Jasper said.

Alice shrugged. "You said it's not cool, but you didn't saynotto do it." She finally lifted her head and turned her chair around, shooting a quick grin at Edward. "Edward was actually atSamsapproximately fifteen minutes ago, the same time as Bella. You probably saw her there."

"Uh – um, yeah, probably," Edward stumbled, unsure how the hell she knew where he was.

"You get used to it, Edward," Solomon said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Okay, so –"

The door bust open again, and Edward looked up. For the second time in just a few seconds, he was shocked. The disbelief was palpable on his face, because Alice laughed and barked out a lighthearted, "I told you!"

The woman from the coffee shop was standing by the door, her hair damp and shirt replaced by a maroon colored tee. She tilted her head to the side, wringing out the few droplets left in her hair.

"Sorry, sorry," she said. "I—" Bella's eyes met Edwards, and she froze, shock also rendering her momentarily speechless. Quick to recover, an easy smile overtook her face. "Ran into some… coffee this morning."

"Is that some type of innuendo, or…"

"Shut up, Emmett," Rosalie said. Emmett tossed his hands up in mock-surrender.

"Hey, we ready to start today, or should I give you guys more time to talk?" Solomon asked rhetorically. Everyone aside from Alice gravitated closer towards the whiteboard, the shift in energy palpable as the lighthearted banter gave way to focused attention. Edward couldn't help but sneak another glance at Bella, her eyes trained on the sergeant attentively. Solomon, standing by the board with his arms crossed, waited a beat for complete silence before launching into the briefing.

"Alright, people, let's get to work. We've got updates on theSilent Tidecase." He tapped a photo pinned to the board— a grainy surveillance image of a man in his mid-40s, nondescript except for a distinctive scar running along his jawline.

"This is Victor Mendoza. Known associate of the Black Suns, one of the most active and dangerous organized crime syndicates in the city. They've been expanding their operations lately—arms dealing, money laundering, and now, human trafficking. Our intel suggests they're planning a major operation out of the Port of Seattle."

Alice leaned forward, her eyes flicking between her laptop and the board. "I've been tracking their comms," she said. "They're using a heavily encrypted messaging app, but I've managed to crack some of their chatter. It sounds like they're expecting a shipment tonight—something big. If we intercept it, we might get the leverage we need to take down their whole network."

"Any specifics on the shipment?" Jasper interjected.

"Not yet," Alice admitted, "but I'm working on it. Could be weapons, could be people. Either way, we can't afford to wait."

Solomon nodded. "That's why we're moving fast. We'll split into two teams. Emmett, Jacob, and I will stake out the port. Bella, you're with Edward—canvas the nearby warehouses and see if you can find any additional entry points or suspicious activity. Jasper and Rosalie, you'll be backup, ready to move in if things go south."

Edward's gaze flickered to Bella, who raised an eyebrow at him, her earlier smirk reappearing."Babysitting duty," she said, though her tone not unkind, but instead teasing.

Solomon continued, "This operation is high-stakes, and Mendoza isn't a small-time player. He's ruthless, and his men won't hesitate to use violence if they feel cornered. Keep your heads on a swivel, and don't take any unnecessary risks."

As the team dispersed to prepare, Alice called out, "Oh, and don't forget your comms this time, Emmett. I'm not playing dispatcher again."

Emmett laughed, giving her a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

Edward, still processing the unexpected turn his morning had taken, found himself walking beside Bella as they headed toward the equipment room.

"So, coffee and crime busting," she said, glancing up at him. "Looks like today's full of surprises."

Edward chuckled despite himself. "Let's just hope I don't spill anything more valuable."

As Bella and Edward geared up in the equipment room, the tension between them was palpable, though it was laced with curiosity rather than animosity. Bella adjusted her shoulder holster and shot Edward a sidelong glance.

"So," she began, breaking the silence. "I heard you're from Vice? That must've been... interesting."

Edward nodded; his expression guarded. "You could say that."

Bella didn't press further, sensing there was more beneath the surface. "Well, welcome to CIU. We don't bite. Much."

Edward chuckled lightly, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood. "Good to know."

"Speak for yourself, Bella," Emmett joked, flashing a grin at Edward. "I bite a lot."

"Emmett's certified in jackass, don't listen to him," Jasper said, smiling at Edward. "I had a buddy over at Vice – TJ?"

"Oh, yeah. TJ's good people," Edward said, nodding. As he was putting on his vest, he noticed that Jacob was staring at him. Edward raised his eyebrows at him, meeting his gaze. Jacob took that as an invitation and walked over. "Stealing my partner, Masen?"

"Fuck off, Jake," Bella sighed as she checked her gun.

"The sergeant gave us an order, I'm just sticking by it," Edward said simply, shrugging.

"Hm," Jacob murmured, his stare anything but friendly, but Edward didn't let this intimidation bullshit affect him. He met his gaze just as hard, and neither moved for a long beat. Bella paused, eyes bouncing between the two.

"Yo, clock the testosterone. We've gotta head out," Rosalie said, tossing a holster at Jacob. His innate reflexes had him catching it just before it clocked him in the face, and he threw a simmering scowl Rosalie's way. Bella snorted, but leveled a gaze with Jacob that said more than the silence it was accompanied by.

They finished suiting up and the team headed towards the vehicle bay.

Bella and Edward were assigned an unmarked SUV and the others departed into their own vehicles as well. "You wanna drive?" Bella asked, squinting over at him. Edward shrugged and nodded. Bella slid into the passenger seat of the SUV, and pulled her hair up into a high ponytail, still slightly damp. She leaned back, letting out a low sigh. "You know," she said, glancing at Edward as he started the engine, "I'm pretty sure this morning's coffee assault is a sign."

Edward raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly as he adjusted the rearview mirror. "A sign of what? That I'm a hazard to innocent bystanders?"

She snorted. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just the universe's way of keeping me humble."

Edward chuckled as he pulled out of the precinct's parking lot. "Well, if it's any consolation, I don't usually make a habit of drenching my colleagues before we've even been properly introduced."

Bella tilted her head, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "Oh, so you're saying I'm special?"

He shot her a quick sideways glance. "Something like that."

For a moment, the only sound in the SUV was the low hum of the engine and the faint crackle of chatter from the police radio. Bella looked out the window, watching the city blur by as they headed toward the industrial district.

"So," she started, breaking the silence, "What's your deal, Masen? New guy from Vice, already making waves with Solomon. You must've done something impressive to land here."

Edward hesitated, his hands tightening slightly on the wheel. "Let's just say Vice was… intense. My old sarge thought I could use a change of scenery."

Bella nodded slowly, sensing the weight behind his words. "Well, CIU isn't exactly a walk in the park, but Solomon's a good guy. He looks out for his people."

Edward glanced at her, his expression softening. "Yeah, I'm starting to get that."

Bella leaned forward, adjusting the air vent to blow directly at her. "Just don't let Jacob's barking fool you. He acts like he runs the place, but Solomon's the one pulling the strings."

Edward smirked. "Noted. What about you? Any tips on surviving CIU?"

Bella laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Yeah. Don't let Emmett drag you into one of his workout challenges unless you enjoy humiliation. And never, under any circumstances, touch Alice's snacks."

Edward grinned. "Good to know. Anything else?"

She tapped her finger on the dashboard, pretending to think. "Oh, and maybe try not to spill any more coffee on me."

Edward laughed, a real, unguarded laugh that surprised even him. "I'll do my best." Edward glanced at her quickly again, a though nagging at his brain. "Hey. I don't want you to think you have to babysit me, either – I can hold my own."

"I'm aware," Bella said. "I was just fucking with you, Masen."

Edward nodded, and the SUV fell into a comfortable silence again, the initial tension between them replaced by an easy camaraderie. As they neared the industrial district, Bella's playful demeanor gave way to a more serious expression.

"We're close," she said, her tone shifting. "This area's a maze, so we'll have to stay sharp."

Edward nodded, his own demeanor hardening as he pulled onto a quiet side street lined with warehouses. "Let's see what we can find."

"We should start with the warehouses closest to the water. If Mendoza's using the port, he'll want easy access," Edward said.

They parked near a row of dilapidated buildings and approached the first warehouse cautiously, their movements synchronized. Bella tested the door—it was locked, but the padlock looked new. She glanced at Edward, who gave her a brief nod. Bella pulled out her lock-picking kit, and within moments, the lock clicked open.

Inside, the air was musty, and the dim light from high windows barely illuminated the cavernous space. Crates were stacked haphazardly, some marked with innocuous labels, others unmarked. Bella pulled out a flashlight, and they began their search.

Edward stopped in front of a particularly large crate. "This one's different," he said, tapping it lightly. "Heavy, reinforced. Could be what we're looking for."

Bella crouched beside him, inspecting the markings, and regarded him with an impressed look at his attentiveness. "Let's open it."

Using a crowbar, Edward pried the crate open, revealing several layers of thick black tarps. When they peeled them back, they found rows of assault rifles and cases of ammunition. Bella whistled low.

"Well, that's one hell of a shipment," she muttered. "Alice will want to know about this."

Edward reached for his radio. "Hey, Alice. We've got a cache of weapons. Sending location now."

Alice's voice crackled back. "Got it. I'll inform Solomon. Keep searching—there's bound to be more."

As they continued to explore the warehouse, Bella's flashlight caught something unusual—a trapdoor hidden beneath a stack of pallets. She motioned for Edward, and together they cleared the space. The trapdoor led to a narrow staircase descending into darkness.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a basement," Bella said, her voice steady, but tinged with caution.

Edward nodded. "Stay close."

They descended carefully, weapons drawn. At the bottom, they found a room filled with electronic equipment—computers, servers, and monitors displaying security footage from various locations, including the port. It was clear this was a nerve center for Mendoza's operations.

Bella began snapping photos with her phone. "This is big. If we can decrypt these files, we might get the entire operation."

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from above. Bella and Edward exchanged a tense look.

"Looks like we're not alone," Edward said, his grip tightening on his weapon.

They moved swiftly, finding cover behind a row of servers. Voices filtered down the staircase, speaking in hurried, low tones.

"We've got to secure this place," one of them said. "The shipment's compromised."

Edward signaled for Bella to stay low as he inched toward the staircase, peeking around the corner. Two men were descending – one with an assault rifle slung over his shoulder, and the other one empty-handed – at least at first glance. Bella and Edward knew he was probably packing heat somewhere on his body.

Bella whispered into her comm, "We've got company. Two armed suspects. Requesting backup."

Alice's voice was immediate. "Backup's en route. Hold tight."

Edward glanced at Bella, his expression calm but determined. "We can't let them secure this room."

Bella nodded. "On my count."

With silent precision, they prepared to engage, ready to hold their ground until help arrived.

Bella raised three fingers, signaling the countdown. Edward nodded, his focus sharp as he steadied his breathing. At the last finger, they moved in sync.

"Freeze!" Bella's voice cut through the tense air like a whip as she stepped into view, weapon raised.

The one with the assault rifle, too slow to right his gun in front of him, raised his hands slowly, but the other reached into his jacket, pulling out what looked like a compact submachine gun.

"Drop it!" Edward barked, stepping forward and aiming directly at the armed man. The suspect hesitated, his eyes flicking between Edward and Bella, then suddenly raised the weapon toward Edward.

Without hesitation, Edward fired a single shot, striking the man in the shoulder. The suspect cried out, his weapon clattering to the floor as he collapsed against the wall, clutching his wound.

"Don't move!" Edward ordered, kicking the gun away before shifting his aim to the second man, who had started to back up the stairs, hands still raised. "Stay where you are!"

Bella moved quickly, closing the distance and pinning the other offender to the wall. "Hands behind your head," she instructed, her tone hardened. The man complied, and Bella efficiently cuffed him.

Edward stepped closer to the injured suspect, his weapon still drawn. The man groaned in pain but didn't resist as Edward retrieved a pair of cuffs and secured his hands behind his back.

"You good?" Bella asked, glancing at Edward as she double-checked her suspect's restraints.

Edward nodded, his expression focused. "Yeah. You?"

"Never better," she said, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

"This is Masen," Edward said into his comm. "Suspects secured. Both armed, neutralized after attempting to fire. Requesting medics and additional units."

Alice's voice came through the comm, calm and efficient. "Copy that. Backup is a few minutes out. How's your intel search going?"

Edward glanced at the servers and monitors lining the basement. "We found their nerve center. I'll start pulling data now."

"On it," Alice replied. "I'll guide you through."

As Edward moved to the terminal, Bella kept her weapon ready, watching the suspects closely. The wounded man glared at Edward, his breathing ragged. "You shot me," he spat.

"You tried to shoot first," Edward replied calmly, without so much of a glance in his direction, already focused on the task at hand.

Within moments, he was navigating through the system under Alice's direction, copying files onto a flash drive. Bella couldn't help but notice how quickly and efficiently he worked, his focus unwavering.

The sound of sirens grew louder, and moments later, Solomon and the rest of the team burst in, weapons drawn.

"Status?" Solomon demanded.

"Two suspects in custody," Bella reported. "One armed, neutralized in self-defense. Edward's pulling intel from their system now."

Solomon's eyes landed on Edward, his expression briefly unreadable before he gave a short nod. "Good work."

As the suspects were escorted out and the medics tended to the wounded man, Solomon pulled Bella aside. "What's your take on him?" he asked quietly, his gaze briefly flicking toward Edward.

Bella didn't hesitate. "He's sharp, quick under pressure. Handled himself well."

Solomon nodded, his trust in her judgment evident. "Good. I had a feeling about him."

Across the room, Edward finished the download and handed the drive to Alice. As he caught Bella's eye, she gave him a subtle nod of approval. Edward felt a weight lift, knowing he'd just taken a solid step toward proving himself. As tightknit as this unit was, and the things he'd heard about Charles Solomon – he knew that wasn't an easy feat.

As the medics loaded the wounded suspect onto a stretcher, the tension in the room began to ease, though the air was still thick with the adrenaline of the confrontation. Edward stood near the terminal, his gaze fixed on the screens as Alice reviewed the data he had extracted.

"Got some interesting stuff here," Alice said, her fingers flying across her keyboard. "Multiple messages flagged with the port's coordinates, schedules, and—oh, look at that—shipment manifests. Mendoza's been busy."

Bella stepped up beside Edward, her arms crossed as she studied the screens. "Anything we can use to figure out what's coming in tonight?"

Alice frowned slightly, her eyes darting between lines of code. "Not immediately, but this is a goldmine. If we can decrypt the rest, we'll have a clear picture of their entire operation."

Solomon walked over, "Alice, prioritize whatever gets us actionable intel for tonight. I want that port locked down."

Alice gave a quick nod. "On it, boss."

Solomon turned to Edward, his sharp eyes assessing. "Masen, good job out there. Quick thinking saves lives." His tone was firm but held a note of approval.

"Thank you, sir," Edward replied, his voice steady despite the lingering rush of adrenaline.

Solomon glanced between Bella and Edward. "You two head back to the precinct. I want a full debrief before we finalize our plan for the port. Bella, you'll be leading the strike team."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "And Edward?"

"He'll be with you," Solomon said without hesitation. "This is his case now, too."

Edward shot a glance at Bella, who simply smirked. "Looks like you're stuck with me," she said.

"Could be worse," Edward replied, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

The squad room was alive with activity when they returned. Maps of the port were spread out on desks, and agents moved briskly between terminals, coordinating logistics for the operation. Bella and Edward made their way to a quieter corner, where Solomon was waiting with a notepad in hand.

"Alright," Solomon said, his voice low but authoritative. "Walk me through what happened."

Edward took the lead, recounting the sequence of events from the moment they entered the warehouse to the confrontation in the basement. He described the suspects' behavior, his decision to fire, and the discovery of the nerve center.

Solomon nodded, scribbling a few notes. When Edward finished, Solomon turned to Bella. "Your take?"

Bella leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "He stayed calm under pressure, made the right call with the shot, and handled the data extraction like a pro. Honestly, couldn't have asked for a better partner today."

Solomon's lips quirked into a rare smile. "That's what I like to hear." He closed his notepad and looked at both of them. "The port operation is no joke. Mendoza's crew won't go down without a fight. You two will be leading the charge on the north dock. We should expect resistance." Solomon paused, his eyes finding Edward. "Let me know if this is too much, too fast, Masen. I've heard great things about you, but if you're not ready, I can switch you out with Jacob."

Bella and Edward exchanged a look, a silent agreement passing between them.

"We'll be ready," Bella said.