Lucy Chen-Secret Life part 2

Chapter 11: Undercover Shadows

Mid-Wilshire Station—Two Days Later

Lucy's hands tremble slightly as she fastens the mic wire under her blouse, her heart pounding as the plan unfolds around her. She's faced countless dangers as a UC, but this is different. She's about to come face-to-face with her past—the man who once had control over her life. But this time, she's the one in control.

The team is on high alert. Royce has been moved to a safe house as part of the plan to leverage him into giving up key information about the trafficking ring. They've arranged for Lucy to go undercover as "Jade," a mid-level dealer looking to cut a deal with Royce. The goal is to gain his trust just enough to let her get close to him and get him talking.

In the bullpen, Lucy goes over the final details with the team. She can feel their eyes on her—some curious, others concerned. She'd kept her connection to Royce a secret as long as she could, but word had spread quickly after her conversation with Tim. She didn't give them all the details, but they know enough: Royce was her ex, the one she left to escape a life of abuse.

Tim steps up beside her, his face taut with worry.

Tim Bradford: (quietly)
"Lucy, you don't have to do this. We can find another way."

Lucy looks up at him, steeling herself.

Lucy Chen:
"I do have to do this, Tim. This is the best way to get what we need on him. And I'm not the same person I was back then. I can handle this."

He nods, reluctantly backing off, but his gaze stays locked on her, filled with silent support. Nyla, Angela, and even Sergeant Grey are all close by, each offering her quiet encouragement as she prepares to step into the lion's den. 

A short while later, Lucy arrives at the arranged meeting spot—a dark, empty warehouse on the outskirts of town. The team is positioned nearby, ready to step in at a moment's notice. She takes a deep breath, adjusting her jacket, and steps inside.

The cold air chills her skin as she approaches the center of the warehouse. She's met by a few men with hard expressions and cold eyes. Royce is there, standing with his arms crossed, his eyes narrowing as he assesses her. For a moment, her breath catches in her throat, memories flooding back. But she tamps them down, reminding herself that she's here for a job.

Royce: (smirking, recognizing her instantly)
"Jade, huh? Guess you've moved up in the world."

Lucy forces a smirk of her own, masking the dread that's simmering just beneath the surface.

Lucy Chen (as "Jade"):
"Guess you could say that. But I hear you're looking for a way out, Royce. That's why I'm here."

Royce's smirk deepens, his eyes scanning her with an unsettling familiarity. Lucy feels the weight of his gaze, but she keeps her posture confident, refusing to let him see any weakness. Royce motions for one of his men to bring over a briefcase, presumably filled with the sample product she's supposed to inspect.

Royce:
"All right, let's get down to business. But first..." (he steps closer, voice dropping) "Let's be honest here. You're not just here for the deal, are you?"

Lucy's pulse quickens, but she keeps her composure, her voice steady and cold.

Lucy Chen (as "Jade"):
"Business is business, Royce. Whatever you think you know about me doesn't matter. All I care about is the deal."

Royce raises an eyebrow, a slight laugh escaping him as he steps back.

Royce:
"Fair enough. Guess we'll see if you're as good as you say."

Lucy nods, glancing briefly at the briefcase before pulling out her phone, pretending to text her "buyer" for confirmation. Just as she's about to give the signal, something shifts in Royce's expression. He tilts his head, his eyes narrowing, and Lucy catches a glint of suspicion. It happens in an instant—his hand darts out, grabbing her wrist.

Royce: (sneering)
"Why don't we make sure you're not wearing a wire, huh?"

Panic flares inside her, but Lucy forces herself to remain calm, pulling her arm back sharply.

Lucy Chen (as "Jade"):
"Don't touch me. You're out of line."

But Royce doesn't back down. He grabs her wrist harder this time, his face twisting with a dangerous grin as he pulls her toward him. She struggles, her mind racing for an escape route. She can feel the cold metal of the mic wire under her shirt, pressing against her skin, and she knows that if Royce finds it, the entire operation will be blown.

Just then, Tim's voice crackles through her earpiece, his tone urgent.

Tim Bradford (through the earpiece):
"Chen, say the word, and we're coming in. Right now."

Lucy's eyes lock onto Royce's, her heart pounding. She has to make a decision—either keep up the act and risk him discovering the wire or call it and get out. She takes a deep breath, her mind whirling with the stakes.

But before she can respond, Royce's men shift nervously, and Royce's grip on her wrist loosens slightly. He glances around, suddenly aware that he might be walking into a trap. Lucy seizes the moment.

Lucy Chen (as "Jade"):
"You getting paranoid, Royce? This isn't the way to do business."

He releases her with a scowl, eyeing her warily as he takes a step back. Lucy straightens, regaining her composure, and casually motions to the briefcase.

Lucy Chen (as "Jade"):
"Now, are we done with the drama? I don't have all day."

Royce watches her, suspicion still evident, but he nods to his men to open the briefcase. Inside is a stash of high-end drugs, carefully packaged and ready for distribution. Lucy reaches out to inspect one of the packages, but before she can signal to her team, she catches a flicker of movement from the corner of her eye.

One of Royce's men has slipped his hand into his jacket, his gaze locked on her. She tenses, her instincts kicking in as she realizes he's going for a weapon. Her mind races, her fingers inching toward her phone.

Tim Bradford (through the earpiece, urgent):
"Chen, we're coming in now. Hold tight."

Lucy's heart pounds as the door to the warehouse bursts open, the SWAT team storming in with guns drawn. Royce's men scramble, some surrendering, while others reach for their weapons. Chaos erupts around her as shots ring out, and Lucy dives to the ground, rolling behind a stack of crates for cover.

Royce, caught off guard, turns to flee, but Tim and Angela move in, blocking his escape route. He raises his hands, a defiant sneer on his face as he glares at Lucy.

Royce:
"This isn't over, Jade. You can't escape me that easily."

Lucy stands up, the weight of her past lifting with every breath. She meets Royce's gaze, her voice steady and unyielding.

Lucy Chen:
"I already did."

Tim steps forward, cuffing Royce as Angela secures the scene. Lucy watches, her heart steady now as she realizes the power Royce once held over her has finally shattered. This chapter of her life is closed, and she knows she has her team to thank for giving her the strength to face it.

As they walk out of the warehouse, Tim stays close, a quiet understanding passing between them.

Tim Bradford:
"That was intense. You did good, Chen."

Lucy Chen: (nodding, exhaling)
"Thanks. It's... finally over."

They step out into the sunlight, and Lucy feels lighter than she has in years, her team beside her and her life ahead of her, free from the shadows of her past.