✍︎ 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞-𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 [dark psychopath x FBI romance] | 𝟏𝟖+

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟢𝟦

ᴄʟᴀʏ

The seatbelt warning light turns off, indicating that we've reached a high enough altitude to begin. I unbuckle and loosen the seatbelt.

Sybille, sitting across from me, doesn't rush to free herself – she just stares at the sea of clouds sliding past the window.

I slide the shoulder holster from under my arm and adjust the gun stuffed in my pocket. Then, without waiting, I grab my briefcase and pull out Sybille's file. I have about an hour before we arrive in Perth – sixty minutes to thoroughly investigate the mess the woman sitting opposite has gotten herself into and try to unravel at least part of this chaos.

I click the ballpoint pen and open the first document.

I'm about to delve into the numbers, locations, and the pattern of the crime itself when a quiet giggle interrupts my concentration. I look up and notice Sybille's crooked smile.

"What's so funny?" I ask, annoyed.

"Are you going to explain what I did wrong now? Are you going to note down every word I say, detective Davis?"

I grip the pen tightly and bite the inside of my cheek. My lips form a straight line as I lower my eyes to the document with Sybille Riley's identification details.

I hate being addressed by that nauseating title – no one ever calls me that.

Sybille notices my irritation and rolls her eyes.

What a witty lady – I'm curious what you have done wrong, I note mentally.

I place a blank notebook next to the documents and start writing.

The events of the past day, the initial impression of Sybille, and my scattered conclusions take the form of a decade-long learned coded language and Latin alphabet. Each time I underline a specific word, I feel the interest of the woman sitting opposite.

For a moment, I look away from the girl's fingerprints, lift my eyes, and observe Sybille.

Her legs are twisted on the back of the seat. She moves her feet up and down in the same trajectory. Her hands involuntarily rise to her face. Sybille fiddles with delicate hair on her forehead but watches me.