“Yeah, but this is different since I’m directly involved.”
She lifted a shoulder before resting her elbow against the tabletop and propping up her chin with her palm. “I can see how you’d think so, but you’re setting yourself up for disappointment if you think Doc is going to see it the same way. That’s just not how these guys operate.”
I narrowed my eyes with a harumph. “Not even when it’s the smart play?”
“Maybe then.” She lifted her other hand and squeezed her thumb and forefinger close together so there was only a tiny gap between them. “But I gotta tell you that based on my years of experience, the odds of that happening are slim. Especially with Doc since he tends to be a man of few words under normal circumstances.”
“Doc is clearly involved in something connected to the judge, and I’ve worked for him for a couple of months. I’m pretty sure he’ll see the benefit of filling me in on what’s going on.”
She beamed a smile at me. “Keep up with that sunshiny attitude. It’s sweet, and I bet Doc can’t get enough of it.”
My cheeks heated at the innuendo in her tone. “I don’t know about that.”
“Trust me, I’ve been around the block long enough to recognize the signs.” Her expression turned serious. “And if you’re open to a bit of advice, the best way you can help Doc with the situation with the judge is not to give him a hard time when he tells you that he wants you to stick around until it’s all figured out.”
Spending time with Doc wouldn’t be a hardship, but it wasn’t that simple. “Assuming Doc asks me to stay here—which I don’t think is going to happen—and that I agree, what about Snowball? I can’t just leave him at my place alone.”
“With the way Doc looked at you, I have no doubt he’ll arrange for someone to pick up your kitty,” she assured me.
“Do you really think so?”
“Yup, his room isn’t the biggest in the clubhouse, but there’s plenty of space for your cat.” She stood and gestured for me to do the same. “I should probably take you up there since you’re not hungry and that’s where Mac and Doc told me to put you.”
Curious about what Doc’s room looked like, I followed her out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
“There is one thing that does surprise me about this whole thing,” she murmured as she stopped at a room that I assumed was Doc’s.
“What’s that?”
“That Doc let you keep your cell.” She jerked her chin toward my pocket where I’d tucked my phone. “I’m not going to take it away from you since he obviously trusted you enough not to do anything stupid with it, like tell someone where you are while you’re waiting for him.”
7
Doc
My conversation with Mac moved to what I’d learned before I grabbed Oakley and got the hell out of there. It wasn’t much, but another reason taking Oakley had been a good idea was because she might know more than she realized.
“We need to find evidence of the bribe he took for Rom’s case,” he grunted. “If Hack can’t get those security files recovered, we’ll need it to make sure he can’t send Rom to prison for the next decade.”
“Could take another shot at his office,” I mused, scratching my beard. “But it’s possible he keeps the files and ledger at home. Shouldn’t be too hard to search there. His wife certainly lives it up with the extra money he’s bringing in. Goes to the spa a few days a week and spends hours shopping, so the house is empty for several hours most days.”
Mac tapped his fingers on the desktop as he considered what I’d said. “Hit the house and see what you find. If it’s a dead end, then we’ll consider the judge’s chambers again.”
“Will do,” I replied as I stood.
“Your woman could be useful—”
“Not a chance in hell,” I growled, taking a menacing step toward his desk.
Mac grinned, and I knew he’d been messing with me, and I had taken the bait like a fucking sucker.
“Figured as much,” he grunted with a rough chuckle. “Now get the fuck out of my office and deal with your woman.”
I jerked my chin up in acknowledgment, then stalked out of the office to the front lounge, where the stairs to the upper level were located. I took them two at a time, eager to see Oakley and make sure she was okay.
Cat hadn’t always been so welcoming, but she’d learned her lesson when she’d said the wrong thing to Mac’s old lady back when Bridget first arrived at the club. I had no reason to think she’d go back to her old habits, but this was my woman, and I wasn’t completely rational when it came to her.