Melody's POV
I didn't know why I was nervous.
Okay maybe I did.
I stood in front of the door to Marvis Harper's office, trying to slow my heartbeat. I wasn't here on official business. Not tonight. No files, no stakeout plans, no threats to decode. Just me. Wanting to see him.
Pathetic, maybe. But also necessary.
The door was slightly ajar. I raised my hand to knock, but then I heard her laugh.
Soft. Feminine. Close.
I froze.
My fingers hovered just inches from the wood, my pulse skipping like a scratched record. I stepped closer just enough to peek.
There she was.
She sat beside him, one hand resting on the edge of his desk like she belonged there. Long black hair, fitted gray blazer, gold jewelry that looked real. Everything about her screamed effortless power.
And there he was. Marvis.
Leaning back in his chair. Relaxed. Smirking.
Talking to her like they'd done it a thousand times before.
My stomach dropped. Of course.
Of course a man like him wouldn't be alone. Of course he had someone. A gorgeous, mature, confident woman.
I took a step back.
No. What was I even thinking? That I had a place here? That he saw me as anything more than a desperate law student with a revenge list?
Stupid. I turned to leave.
"Melody?"
His voice cut through the air like a blade. I froze.
I turned slowly, trying to school my face into something calm.
He stood now, already moving toward the door, his brow furrowed.
"You weren't going to come in?"
"I…I didn't want to interrupt."
His eyes flicked past me and back. "You didn't."
The woman stepped forward then. Smiling.
And I hated that she was beautiful.
"Oh, this must be her," she said, eyes sparkling. "You weren't lying. She's even sharper than you described."
Wait. What?
Marvis ran a hand through his hair, clearly amused. "Melody, this is Mary. My older sister."
I blinked. "Your... sister?"
Mary held out her hand. "Nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot."
Sister. Not girlfriend. Not rival. Real Sister.
"Oh," I said dumbly. "Hi."
They both chuckled Marvis lightly, Mary with full amusement.
"I'll let you two talk," she said, grabbing her bag. "I've got a meeting across town. Don't scare her off, Marvis."
"I won't," he said, voice smoother than silk.
She winked at me before she left.
The second the door shut behind her, I exhaled. Finally.
Marvis raised an eyebrow. "What did you think was happening?"
I tried to lie. "Nothing."
He smirked. "You thought she was someone else."
I crossed my arms. "So what if I did?"
"That means," he said, stepping closer, "you care."
I looked away. "I came here to talk. Not play games."
His voice softened. "Then talk."
But the words I had planned to say about the files, about the stakeout were gone now.
Because for the first time... I realized something dangerous.
I didn't just want answers from him.
I wanted him.