Chapter Fourteen: Stuck
Mia
I woke up feeling lighter, better about things. Numbers made me feel that way. I left in the nick of time before things escalated between us. I wanted to take it further, but I needed time to process first.
As I sipped on my coffee and stared at my computer the next day, I knew decisions had to be made.
The sun was beating down and I knew it would be a hot one. My blinds were half-closed, and I was enjoying the sweet sound of nothingness for now. I let the coffee sink in as I reminisced on last night. When he leaned into me, I could feel his hard abs. His dark silky hair gave me the compulsion to run my hands through it. When he told me he didn’t want a fling, it hardened the ball of knots in my stomach. More was at stake… due to my dealings with Doc.
I started today a little later ? 9 a.m. because I got home in the early morning hours from Number’s house. I guess that old saying is true. Time flies when you’re having fun.
I called my mother to check in on her. I planned to go by, drop off some lunch and spend some time with her. I wanted to talk to her some more about the next place she wanted to go see. I still didn’t want to spend Doc’s dirty money, but… my mother. That brick kept weighing down my chest, making it hard for me.
My phone pinged, not letting me have the chance to stay down in the dumps.
Numbers. Last night was great. I hope we can do it again soon. Ferris wheel?
I found myself for the first time in a long time, feeling good about being with a man.
Ferris wheel is a yes! I replied.
Great. Call you later. Have a great day sexy… xx
I moved through the paperwork I had on deck with ease. I should have known it was too good to be true. My cell phone vibrated in my pocket and I answered the man I was working hard to get away from. “What can I do for you, Doc?” I snapped.
“Is that the greeting all my money gets me? Might want to try again, Ms. Copeland,” he directed in a deathly tone.
My resolve was building. I was sick and tired of feeling as if Doc and the Devil Riders were about to unhinge my life. I wanted to be a little bolder in my responses. Where fear used to be, was now replaced with rage. “Yes, that’s exactly how I answer. What can I do for you, Doc?” I drew the line in the sand as my breathing picked up.
“I want you to look for another angle on that overdose case. Find out why the Rebel Saints got off. I’m paying double for this one.” His raspy tone permeated the phone.
His creepy voice made me want to hang up the call. “Why are you so hyper-focused on them? Don’t you have businesses to run?”
“That’s none of your concern, Ms. Copeland, and not what I pay you for. Do as I ask and find out what angle we can use to re-open the case. Find anything you can. I want a report in the next two days on it.” He pushed.
“Okay, I will see what I can do,” I added in a clipped tone, just to pacify him. I didn’t plan on lifting a finger. I was clearly on the Rebels Saints’ side while growing tired of Doc’s bullying tactics and constant harassment. I clicked off the phone, no need to hear the monster say goodbye. The less airtime he received on my phone the better.
Right after the call with Doc, a contrasting call came in, and I answered this one a lot quicker. “Hi! Ferris wheel, huh?” I teased Numbers.
“Yes, I think we could both use some fun. You like the idea?” Numbers enquired.
I loved hearing his voice; he was light like a balloon floating along and it made me feel that way too. “I love the idea. I haven’t been on the Ferris wheel in years. When are we going?”
“I know it’s late notice, but how about tonight? I want to try and win a prize for you.”
I was back to swooning now as I envisioned the sparkle in his vibrant eyes as he talked about it. I knew he was grinning right now. “I do have a lot to do in the morning, but in the afternoon, early evening I will be freed up. Sounds good.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up and we can walk over from your house,” he said assertively.
I liked a man who could take charge. I had so many other things to deal with in life. Trying to come up with fun date ideas was in the ‘too hard’ category for me. “I’m happy with that. Is everything okay at the club?” Something within me told me to ask.
“Ah, we have this unmarked car that keeps rotating around the block since the overdose. I assume it’s Holbeck police. One of our security guys at the casino told us that a cop car sat out front last night. I guess they are either trying to have our back and protect the neighborhood or they are doing it as an intimidation factor and throwing their weight around.”
“Hard to say. If they have a presence, it will deter any drug dealers from trying. It might be a good thing,” I reasoned.
“Welp. That was my line of thinking as well. We’re going to take a look at a restaurant opportunity today. I can tell you more about it later when I see you, tonight.”
I liked the way his voice dropped at that last sentence. “Look forward to it.”