Chapter Eight: Conflict Of Interest
Mia
The last couple of days I’ve had something to smile about. Thinking about Numbers’ flirtatious ways lifted my heart and took away some of the angst about my mother. I let that feeling carry me when I went to visit her yesterday. Now I was at home, trying my best to relax and not think too hard.
My cell phone buzzing beside me on the couch jerked me out of my scattered thoughts. Anxiety rushed through my body as I saw who it was. Doc. I picked it up hesitantly.
“Hi, Mia. How are things going for you?” he asked in a silky, smooth voice.
His tone put me on guard right away. The man’s voice became like a repellent whenever I heard it. “I-I’m fine,” I stammered and immediately, I became frustrated with myself for this. I didn’t want to display any kind of weakness to him.
“That’s great to hear. What have you been up to lately?”
He was trying to open up small talk, but I smelled a rat. “Working on my community cases. I assume this isn’t a social call. What can I help you with today, Doc?”
A hoarse chuckle echoed through the phone. “I have a few legal questions for you.”
I moistened my lips in anticipation.
“I need your input on a situation… Let’s say the Devil Riders are being accused of a crime that involves drug use and I wanted to know what would happen if a person died from an overdose. What would the cops do if it was on our turf? How do you think it would go down?” he inquired.
“Is the club in trouble, is that why you’re asking?” I probed a little further as I tucked a tendril of my hair behind my ear. I sat up straight… I’d been sinking into the couch a little too much.
“Possibly. Hoping it doesn’t get to that level, but that’s why we’ve hired you, should a case arise,” he explained.
He sounded completely suspect to me. I knew the answer though and if I hurried him off the phone, I could get back to watching my dose of Netflix. “Most likely they would start sniffing around the club and observing the area more to see if it’s a pattern. More patrols, for instance and possibly questioning the club, especially since a person died on your turf. The police will have to investigate it thoroughly, regardless.”
“Whoa. I’m not saying this is happening, I just wanted to get a legal opinion from you,” he corrected.
Something seemed entirely weird about his questions. Why was he even asking this? “It would be a total pain in ass for this to happen. It would cause chaos, basically.”
“Well, there you have it,” he said.
“Do you have any more questions, Doc?” I remarked impatiently.
Silence rang out in my ears, as I rolled my eyes at the phone.
“No, that’s all for now. You have yourself a great night, and say hello to your mother for me,” he said, throwing a dagger at me.
A burning rage flamed in my body at the mention of my mother. I didn’t want her name on his lips. Ever. I threw the phone to the other end of the plush couch and flicked on Netflix to scroll the options. I couldn’t believe he thought it was okay to reference her.
A discomfort lingered after the conversation like a bitter aftertaste of a drink. Something wasn’t right about his line of questioning and my gut ? which never steered me wrong ? was sending a clear message.
A thumping knock at the door made gasp. I looked down at myself. I was dressed in track pants, my hair was up in a messy up-do, and I had a t-shirt on.
Who cares?
I strolled to the door and opened it to see a handsome Numbers standing on the other side of it. Confusion made me double-take and look at him twice. “What are you doing here?” I asked, hopefully not in a way that scared him off.
“Not happy to see me?” he replied as his blue eyes pierced right through me. His pearly white teeth were on display as he grinned back at me, his dark hair flopping in his eyes.
“I am. I am. This is an unexpected visit that’s all,” I confessed in a flustered tone.
The top button on his collar shirt was open, and he looked sexy in his jeans and boots. His blue eyes were showing their admiration for me as he shoved his hands in his pockets. Clearly, he was looking for an invitation to come in.
I looked past him into the street, my eyes darting around. I’d just gotten off the phone with Doc and now, a Rebel Saint was at my door. I didn’t want him out in the street for all to see. Apparently, Doc had eyes everywhere.
“Come on in, sorry.” I ushered him to my house, thankful that it wasn’t too messy.