4. Addison
CHAPTER 4
ADDISON
And just like that, things are looking up.
“Not a damn thing.”
I lean against the edge of my desk and cross my arms over my chest. Gary stormed into the room a few minutes ago, and he’s been pacing like a lion that’s dying to get out of a cage.
“Seriously?”
“We searched the entire place. No weapons, no drugs, no sign of anything illegal beyond the smug look on all their faces while they watched us tear their place apart.”
“Maybe they didn’t do it,” I say, but my tone lacks conviction.
There’s absolutely zero chance that the Soulless Kings MC didn’t take out those other bikers. Everyone within a hundred-mile radius of Marble Falls knows they’re into some shady shit. Sure, they own several businesses that help the town’s economy, but that doesn’t make them any less criminal.
“If you believe that, then maybe your dad is right,” Gary mutters.
Shock washes over me, and if the desk weren’t holding me up, I’d stumble under the weight of it. Gary’s never made me feel like I wasn’t good enough.
I must not be good at hiding my emotions because he stops pacing and frowns. “I’m sorry, Addi. I didn’t mean that.”
“It’s, uh…” I run my hands through my long hair. “It’s okay. But I really need to get back to this fraud case.”
“Right.” Gary walks to the door but pauses before exiting. “If you need any help, let me know. And if you think of anything on my case, I’m all ears.”
Without waiting for a reply, he leaves me alone with my thoughts. I spend the rest of my shift putting together all the info I’ve gathered on the fraud case. Turns out, the woman wasn’t just passing bad checks. She’s also the treasurer of her son’s soccer league— Oh yeah, she really is a soccer mom —, and she’s stealing from that pot of money in an effort to cover said checks. Newsflash lady, it ain’t working.
At six o’clock, my phone pings with a text. I glance at the screen and grin.
Mona: Time’s up detective. You’re done for the day. Now get your ass to the bar. We’ve got some drinkin to do
Me: Yes ma’am. See ya in 30
Mona and I have remained best friends since grade school, and we make a point to hang out at least one Friday night a month. And tonight is that Friday night.
I gather my stuff and head to the locker room to change into something more appropriate for a bar. After applying more makeup and switching from my pants suit to jeans and a black top with tall black boots, I make my way to my car in the lot behind the precinct.
Exactly thirty-four minutes later, I park next to Mona’s vehicle outside of Ballinger’s Bar. Her car is empty, and I can only hope that she’s already ordered me a shot of Fireball and a beer.
As soon as I step inside, I’m instantly in a better mood. Southern rock blares from the jukebox, and the crowd is hyped up with the end of another work week. I spot Mona standing at the bar, and when she sees me, she waves me over.
“Here ya go,” she says, handing me a full shot glass before I even have a chance to say ‘hi’.
I take the alcohol and down it, letting the liquid burn a path to my gut, and then lean close to her ear. “I need more.”
Mona grins. “Comin’ right up!”
Once the bartender has served us each two more shots, we work our way through the crowd to the one empty table in the joint.
“So, long week?” she asks after we’re both seated.
I groan. “You have no idea.”
“How are things going with your dad?”
I wave my hand dismissively as I take a sip of my beer. “You know how he is.”
“Uptight and sexist?”
“Watch it,” I say, but there’s no heat in my tone. “Those things may be true, but he’s still my dad.”
Mona lifts her hands apologetically. “You know I love the old guy, Addi. Hell, he’s practically my second father. I just wish he saw in you what the rest of the world sees.”
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?”
“That you’re amazing and can do anything you put your mind to.”
“Thanks.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve had this conversation, and I know it won’t be the last. I just wish it never even had to happen.
“How’s Patrick?” I ask her in an effort to avoid more conversation about my dad’s lack of faith in me.
Mona groans. “We broke up.”
“What? When?”
Patrick only moved in with Mona a month ago, but they’d been together for two years.
“Last night.”
“What happened?”
“He was fucking the neighbor.”
My eyes widen. “That red-headed chick in the green house?”
“That’s the one.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Damn.”
“I came home from work early and found them in bed together,” she says. Mona takes a long sip of her beer before continuing. “By the way, do you have time to go bed shopping this weekend? I need a new one.”
Laughter bubbles up the back of my throat and comes out as a snort. “Sure. I’m off all weekend. Do you want me to be at the house when he comes to get his stuff?”
“What stuff?”
“Mona?” I arch a brow. “What did you do?”
She shrugs. “If he wants his stuff, he should probably bring a shovel because it’s all a pile of ash in the burn barrel.”
“You didn’t?”
She smirks. “I did. And don’t you dare go all cop on me. The prick cheated.”
“Wasn’t gonna go all cop,” I tell her honestly. “In fact, I was gonna ask if you wanted help burying the body.”
“Damn, whose body are we buryin’ ladies?”
Mona and I had been so lost in conversation that we didn’t realize someone had walked up to our table. I open my mouth to tell him to get lost, but I don’t get any words out before Mona speaks.
“Why? You gonna help us?” she asks, her tone turning silky smooth.
Oh shit.
The man grins. “That could be arranged.”
“Well then…” Mona nods to the seat next to her. “Have a seat.”
If I didn’t know her like I do, I’d think she was about to arrange for a hit on Patrick.
“I’m Blain,” the man says.
“Mona.” My best friend glances at me. “And that’s Addison.”
“So, who's about to be six feet under?”
“My ex,” Mona replies.
“Ah, so you’re single?” Blain asks.
“I am.” She darts her eyes from Blain to me and back again. “We both are.”
Dammit.
“Then how about instead of getting your pretty little hands dirty, you both come to a party tomorrow night?”
“No, tha?—”
“Where at?” Mona asks, talking over me.
“Have you heard of the Soulless Kings?” Blain asks, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end.
“Kinda hard to grow up in Marble Falls and not hear about them,” I comment.
“Well, the party’s at their clubhouse,” Blain explains. He puffs up his chest like a proud peacock. “I’m prospecting with them.”
It takes every ounce of willpower I possess not to scream ‘we’ll be there’. As much as I would rather stay home and watch Netflix, this invitation couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.
“Addi, whaddya say?” Mona asks. “Wanna go?”
Yes, yes, yes!
I shrug, feigning indifference. “Up to you. You’re the one who just got out of a long-term relationship.”
Mona rolls her eyes, but then she grins and returns her attention to Blain. “We’re in.”
“Perfect.” Blain pulls out his cell. “What’s your number?” he asks Mona.
She rattles off the digits, and a second later, her cell pings.
“That’s the address,” he tells her. “Party starts at nine.”
And just like that, things are looking up.