Page 108 of Stella
“Better idea.”
“Well, that’s me, I’m full of good ideas.”
“Can’t argue with that,” I retort.
“Meet you in the lot in five?”
I nod. “I’ll be there.”
I wait until she leaves to rise from my chair. I whistle for Calli, and she jumps up, on my heels as I walk down the same corridor as five minutes ago. What I need to do is certain, and this is me, fulfilling that promise. No matter what happens, nobody is going to break me. I won’t let them, and I also won’t let the lines blur with the Rebels. Someone is trying to get under my skin, and why they think I’d give a shit about Cash is the baffling part. Even if I know in my heart that something isn’t right about any of this, I won’t bring myself to think about the possibilities that stick in the back of my mind.
I’ve stayed away from the truth about my mom and her involvement with the Devils MC, but maybe now is a good time to reopen the case, because what really happened to Razor? I’m sure the bayou has a lot to answer for, but why was nobody charged with his murder? Then Forger, a man who came back from the dead to restart the Devils once it was disbanded and Razor was gone, took over the underworld and most of the criminal activity. It didn’t last too long; Forger and Carlo Caruso, the head Cartel boss, were both gunned down in a shootout where, once again, the Rebels were involved, but it all got swept under the rug. That rug was sealed shut by Seymour Montgomery. Fitting all the pieces together might give me a brain aneurysm, but I still have to get to the bottom of this. In doing that, I’m gonna be ruffling some feathers, but those feathers might just be the very men hiding the truth. I can’t help but think that if someone was trying to set me up, why would they even go to the lengths of sending me all of these things to my desk if they were taking down Cash?Why?Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to bring me down, if that was their goal? No, because this person,or persons, wants to toy with me.
They want to drag up old wounds and pit me against the Rebels MC, and maybe that’s been their plan all along. To see me break. To watch me crumble under the pressure.
But they don’t know my blood. They don’t know how I’ve had to fight for every single thing I’ve ever had. All the accolades, all the respect I’ve earned working my way up in the force will all be for nothing if I let corrupt cops win. Now I know someone in this office is involved, I need to keep my head down, and my ass up, because if their plan was to derail me, it’s had the opposite effect.
The only thing I can be thankful for is that Stella isn’t involved. Well, maybe by association, but not directly. Even though I get that sinking feeling I’m being watched, my next move will hopefully put me one step ahead.
Stella
I stare at the photos of me and Cale, delivered to me today at Tag’s. The night I went to the club and he gave me a ride home. Him at my back door. Me letting him into my apartment. Both of us embracing as I enter his apartment; from last night!
I dial Cale immediately, but it goes to message. “Cale,” I whisper, I’m hiding out in the toilet, freaking the fuck out. “When you get this call me back immediately. I got some photos today. Ofus.Exactly like the ones of Cash and D. I don’t know what to do.”
“Stella!” Tag yells.
Shit!
“What?” I yell back. “Can’t a girl pee in peace?”
“Cash wants you,” he hollers.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
Oh, no. Why would Cash want me? Panic surges through me at how careless we’ve been. Here I was thinking because we’resneaking around at each other’s places, we wouldn’t get found out, but this piece of shit was one step ahead. I tuck the photos into the back of my jeans, pulling down my shirt and cut to cover any bulk.
I step out and head back out to the workshop, and I’m immediately intercepted by Tag.
“What did I do?” I immediately ask.
He’s frowning a whole lot more than usual. “Like I said, Cash wants to see you. Now.”
Fuck. Fuck.Fuck!
I swallow hard. “Fine. I’ll head over there now.”
“We’regonna head over there,” he corrects. “You can follow behind me.”
Of course, I wouldn’t dare go in front of him now, would I?
I don’t want to beg Tag to tell me what’s going on because that would look desperate.
I want to dial Cale again, but I can’t with eagle eyes watching me. It’s hard with Tag because he always looks pissed off, so it could be nothing. Or it could be a whole lot of everything.
As I hop on my Harley, following behind Tag as we ride over to the clubhouse, I let the feel of the straight pipes wash over me. The sound of it soothes my soul. The feel of the engine beneath me makes me feel powerful. It’s freedom. No matter what lies ahead, the feeling of wholeness starts from within. It’s not just about being part of this club, it’s about me knowing my worth. Not just as a prospect, but with Cale. I love him. I’ve known it for a while, and if Cash has found out about us, I will weather the storm.
As brave as I think I am, nothing compares to heading into Cash’s office while I follow behind Tag. I’m glad I don’t have the entire committee here, that must mean it isn’t serious, right? He probably has some new, shitty job for me. That would be better than the anxiety I have flowing freely through me right now.
