The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 194

Chapter 194

Harper’s expression hardens instantly. “You’re no longer assigned to this case.”

Marcus’s jaw flexes once sharply. “I know.”

The male Internal Affairs agent steps in calmly. “We’ll make sure the files are transferred to the new lead agent immediately upon assignment.”

Marcus nods once reluctantly.

The chief exhales heavily again through the speakerphone. “There’s enough in those files to bury half this city.”

Theo mutters under his breath, “Fantastic.”

“And one more thing,” the chief says suddenly,

Everyone stills again.

“If Hargrove realizes those cases are being reopened publicly…” He pauses. “She’s going to panic.”

Camille blinks slowly. “More than she already is?”

“Yes.” That single word lands heavily.

The chief continues quietly, “Because once those bodies get reexamined, there’s no way she talks herself out of this.”

Devin finally exhales slowly, “Chief,” he says quietly.

The older man hums tiredly through the speaker.

“Thank you.”

That seems to catch the chief off guard.

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Devin continues anyway. “You could’ve buried this longer.” His voice stays calm and steady. You

yourself.”

could’ve

protected

A bitter laugh crackles through the phone line. “Wouldn’t have mattered.”

“No.” Devin agrees quietly. “But you still came forward.”

ne chlet goes silent for a second.

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09:58 Thu, May 14

Chapter 194

Then finally: “Didn’t feel like much of a choice after the DNA came back.”

Still. It matters. I can tell Devin thinks the same thing too.

He rubs a hand over the back of his neck before speaking again. “For what it’s worth…” Devin pauses briefly. “I hope Internal Affairs cuts you some slack for turning yourself in voluntarily.”

That earns another rough laugh from the chief. “Oh they absolutely fucking won’t.” The chief exhales heavily again. “But maybe… Maybe I can still keep my pension.”

The room quiets again.

“Thirty–two years,” the chief mutters quietly. “I’m hoping they let me retire early instead of dragging me through court.” Another pause. “At this point I’d settle for fishing and blood pressure medication.”

“Look,” he add quickly. “I know everybody in that room probably hates me right now.”

Nobody responds. Because honestly? Nobody knows how to answer that.

“But Violet?”

Every eye slowly turns toward her. She finally looks up from her desk again.

The chief’s voice softens slightly. “I am sorry about your brother.”

That one lands hard.

“You deserved better from us.”

Violet’s expression finally cracks slightly around the edges.

The chief continues quietly. “And your mother deserved better

too.”

That’s the one that breaks her.

Her lace crumples instantly.

Tears are suddenly spilling down her cheeks before she can stop them.

Oh… Fuck.

BIL

The sight hits me like a punch directly to the chest,

Violet immediately turns her face away like she’s embarrassed for anyone to see it happening, one hand coming up quickly

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09:58 Thu, May 14

Chapter 194

to wipe at her eyes.

But it’s too late. The tears keep coming anyway.

Camille’s expression softens immediately. “Vi…”

And that’s it. That’s my limit.

Every instinct inside me takes over before I can even think about it.

I move across the executive floor immediately.

Violet looks up just as I reach her desk.

Her eyes are red already.

God. I hate seeing her cry.

I don’t say anything.

I just pull her against me. Firm. Protective.

Both arms wrapping tightly around her as she finally breaks completely against my chest.

And the second she folds into me, something inside my chest physically aches.”

Because she’s trying so hard not to cry loudly. Trying so hard to stay composed.

But the second I hold her close, the restraint starts slipping.

Y

Her fingers grab tightly at the front of my suit jacket while she presses her face against my chest a

The sound absolutely destroys me.

and quietly sobs.

I hold her tighter immediately.

“It’s okay,” 1 murmur quietly against the top of her head. “I’ve got you.”

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