Page 111 of Stella
“It’s something we can get to the bottom of,” Willow says. “I’m sure of it, with a little hacking, that is.”
“We shouldn’t have to do this,” I mutter. “We should be able to trust in the department.”
She gives me a look of sympathy. “I think we both know that corruption runs deep in this city, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose when I hear Stella’s message. Then a text from an hour ago saying she had to go to the clubhouse. “Fuck,” I mutter. “I’ve gotta go.”
Willow looks up from her laptop. “I might stay here and check a few things out, if that’s okay?”
I nod, Calli jumping up as I head out, my hands shaking. “Just be careful.”
She grins. “Always am.” I go to take off, but she calls my name. “You gonna be okay?”
I really don’t even know how to answer that question. “I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” I head out, Calli trotting dutifully next to me.
The last fucking thing I want to do is confront Cash after finding out this information, but I have no choice. Stella needs me. I hop in the truck, Calli next to me, and dial Stella again as I head out. She still doesn’t answer.
I check my rearview mirror, paranoia washing over me that someone could be following me. They’ve been tracking my every move, and now they have Stella on camera, too. I should have fucking known to keep her out of this until we figured shit out with Cash. In my defense, I had no idea anyone was being photographed until yesterday.
When I get to the clubhouse, there are several motorcycles in the lot. I don’t give a shit. She was distressed and upset on that phone call, and now she’s being watched by this fucking weirdo. I need to know she’s safe. Granted, if she’s behind these doors; I know she is, but what if Cash called her here because he knows about us?
I let Calli out, purposely not putting her on her leash, telling her to walk with me. As I get closer to the clubhouse doors, I hear music inside, so I don’t bother knocking. Making my way through the doors, I see some guys playing pool, and some sitting at the bar, the jukebox playing as I glance around looking for Stella.
Of course, the first fucking person I see is Harlem. The second he sees me, he’s bounding toward me like a force of nature.Here we go. Calli growls, and I tell her to heel. He stops, looking down at my dog, then steels his jaw. “What do you want?”
“I’m here to see Stella.”
His eyebrows knit together. “Why would you want to see my daughter?”
I clear my throat. “It’s urgent.”
“She’s busy.” He steps closer, not even caring that Calli growls at him in warning. “If you want to leave with all your limbs intact, you’ll turn around and head out that fucking front door right now, Callaghan. I don’t wanna hear my daughter’s name outta your goddamn mouth again.”
I square my shoulders. Even though he’s bigger than me, and I don’t want to fight him, I will if I have to. “Can’t do that. I need to see Cash.”
He scoffs. “First Stella, now Cash, what are you playin’ at?”
“I have information,” I lie. “On what happened with those photos.”
“Why involve my daughter? What has she got to do with this?”
Aside from the fact I’m in love with her?
“I need to tell Cash myself,” I say. “He has a right to know first.”
“Why do you keep poppin’ up everywhere?” Tag moves beside him as Calli barks at him.
I tell her again to heel; she doesn’t like it, but she does as I say. “I guess you could say I’m good at my job.” I go for bravado, but I don’t have time to stand here debating.
“You think you can just come in here askin’ for my daughter just because you have this mutt for protection?” Harlem shakes his head. “Think I’m stupid? I know she has this little crush on you, but I’m here to tell you that ain’t happenin’ ever. Got me? Not now, not ever. So walk away.”
If only he knew.
“I don’t have time for this,” I say. “I need to see Cash now, it’s urgent!”
“Callaghan?” Cash bellows from the meeting room doors.
I turn, meeting his eyes. Eyes that, I have to admit, are just like mine. Now I know what I know, all I feel is rage. I can’t standthe sight of him knowing what happened, but if Stella is in there, that’s where I need to be.
