Page 100 of Defect
“I have a bad feeling, Ezra.”
“About what?” I asked, lowering my brows on my forehead. I knew to listen when Solana had any type of feeling but a bad one made red flags shoot up in my head. She opened her mouth to answer me but there was a knock on the front door of the studio and for once it wasn’t my damn mother.
It was Detective Barnes.
Solana and I exchanged nervous glances and I went to open the door. “May I help you?” I asked.
“I’m looking for Miss Solana Monroe. The owner of this establishment?”
“Right here.” She hopped up and jogged over to the front door with a cheery smile even though seconds earlier she was telling me she had a bad feeling.
“Miss Monroe, I need to speak with you about your open vandalism case.”
“Oh, right. Come on in. Have a seat.” She gestured to the main yoga area. There were no mats laid out yet because she wasn’t set up for classes.
“On the floor?” The detective chuckled. “Okay.” He sat down awkwardly on the floor and it reminded me of how stiff I was when Solo first started working with me. I still wasn’t as flexible as her but I could easily sit in the lotus position and bend my body in ways I would have never been able to do without her help.
It also helped that we’d been having wild sex ever since we got that metal bed frame. She had me trying all kinds of positions every night. I pulled my mind away from her chocolate body and followed her over to the main yoga area to sit down.
“After the back and forth investigation, we’ve figured out who’s responsible for the vandalism. I wanted to personally tell you that they’ve been arrested and will be charged with a felony since your property is in the historic district of Radcliff. The vandalism of your studio is considered defacement of historical property. After reviewing your insurance claims, we’ve found that the damage is well over the four-hundred dollar limit.” He wasn’t lying about that shit. Solana had spent thousands fixing the studio up.
“Wait, so you found who was responsible? It wasn’t whoever was on the security footage. I told you…” The detective cut Solana off and she folded her arms like an angry child.
“We arrested Nicole Fredericks this evening at her job. The three men on tape took a lesser sentence for telling us who paid them off.” My ears burned at his words. I cleared my throat and leaned in a little.
“Excuse me, detective did you say you arrested Nicole Fredericks?” I asked, dumfounded.
“Yes, sir.”
“Short lady with brown skin and eyes like mine?” I gestured to my face and he examined my eyes.
“Yeah. I guess she did look a little like you.” He shrugged with a nod.
“And how much time is she looking at?” Solana asked, trying to hide her smile.
“For a vandalism felony? She’s looking at a year in the state pen.”
Was it wrong that I was happy to hear that news? I wouldn’t have to deal with her for an entire year and she’d have to actually face some fucking consequences for her actions. I was getting tired of blocking new numbers she found to call me from and ignoring her knocking on the door every night after work.
“Thank you so much,” Solana grinned. “I really appreciate all your hard work.”
“Not a problem, ma’am.” He smiled at her and wobbled back and forth on the floor for a minute before he stood up. Solana stood up without a single problem. The detective eyed her for a few lingering seconds and I opened the front door for him. I knew the effect she had on everyone but especially men.
“Thanks, detective,” I said, gesturing to the door.
“Right. You two have a good night. I’m glad to see you’re getting your yoga studio together again, Miss Monroe. Let me know if you need anything…I mean anything.” He nodded his head at her and she grinned. She dazzled every fucking body with her smile and bright energy. She didn’t even realize it.
Once the detective was done gawking at how beautiful Solana was, he left and she jumped clean off the floor, into my arms. “Oh my god! Your mother is in jail!”
“Yeah. I know,” I laughed. “Why do I want to celebrate?”
“Because it’s a fucking celebratory moment.” She wrapped her legs around me and kissed my lips.
“Shit, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more relieved. Let’s close up shop early and get some Hennessy.”
“Hennessy?” She laughed. “Hennessy leads to pregnancy.”
“Then let’s do it. I told you I want a little Solo.” I tickled her stomach while she was wrapped around me and she laughed so beautifully. It filled the air with stars.
