The Mafia's Undercover Princess

Mia's POV

"For how long would I be stuck in the position of a special agent?"

I unconsciously grumbled as I walked past those glass doors into the bullpen; the stares from a few colleagues followed-some curious, some judgmental, most indifferent. Not because I wasn't good at my job. No, my record was spotless. It was the same damn record that got buried every time a high-profile case came up.

I dropped my file onto my desk harder than necessary, the thud loud enough to earn a glance from Agent Porter over the next row. He raised an eyebrow like he wanted to say something slick. I didn't give him pleasure with the frustration that was written all over my face, but he went on regardless.

"I fully understand your complaints that, in your 6 years of service, you are meant to have been promoted to senior special agent, as your mates were all promoted in the last three months..."

"Like... You get it?

That's the point. I mean, for how long would I be seen as less because I am a female?"

Just then, I grabbed a folder on my desk and marched toward the glass office at the far end. I'd had enough. Either they respected me as an agent, or they could shove their desk work.

I knocked once, then slightly pushed the door open, mindful of my composure.

If I don't, this might cost me my job as a 'special agent in charge'-Mr. Thompson has the right to write a petition against me.

"Agent Mia," he said without looking up from his papers.

"Sir, please, we need to talk."

He looked up slowly, and I saw that familiar flicker-like I was some ticking bomb he didn't have the patience to disarm.

"What's on your mind that you want to talk about?"

"I've been here 6 years," I said, standing tall. "15 arrests under my lead, 6 undercover jobs-one of them nearly got me killed, and you know the story. Yet every major op seems to skip over my desk like I don't exist." I was so conscious of the tone of my voice.

He leaned back, folding his arms. "You think I'm playing favorites?"

"With due respect, I think I'm being sidelined," I said coolly. "And I also think if I were a male, this wouldn't be a conversation."

That got his attention.

"Be careful with your words, Mia," he said, with his voice moderately low. "You want an assignment? Fine. I have one. High risk. No backup. You go in alone."

He slid a new file toward me. Thick. Sealed. Stamped CLASSIFIED.

"If you could meet up with this task within the space of 6 months, then consider yourself a Special Senior Agent, and soon enough, you will be among the top leadership because, as far as I am concerned, you have a clean record, but you know this isn't just in my power."

"The Astor family?" I asked, flipping it open.

"The son. Kraven