Chapter 38
Charlie
T oday is a total fucking shit show. First, I get called to the principal's office while I’m dropping the girls off at school. My low-life ex didn’t pay the tuition yet again. Now, I owe the school forty-thousand dollars by the end of the school year. Six weeks. Then I get a flat tire on my way to my first appointment of the day.
I’m meeting some guy named Wizard for a potential job. A job that could potentially help pay said tuition. I’m fortunate the school is not making me pay late fees. The fees were due last August. My slug of an ex pays a hundred or a few, then nothing for a few months. That’s the school. He hasn’t paid child support for the last five years. Why isn’t he in jail? Good question. My guess because he’s a sleazeball lawyer with sleazier friends.
Which brings me to now. I slam the trunk of the car down and fight the urge to scream or cry. Possibly both. My spare is missing. I have a sneaking suspicion one of my daughters borrowed it and forgot to tell me. Which really means my piece of shit ex took it for the girl’s car and didn’t tell.
UGGGGGGGGGGGG!
“Deep breaths,” I mutter to myself.
The rumble or a motorcycle draws my attention. Out of instinct, I shift my weight so I can reach my piece if I need it. I watch as a lone biker pulls behind my car. I’d maneuvered into an empty parking lot when the tire went flat.
My breath catches when he takes off his helmet. And not because I’m scared. He’s a fucking adonis. I’d put him at six- foot-two, two-twenty. His black t-shirt clings to a muscular chest and shows off well-formed biceps. Well-worn denim clings to his lean hips. My lips curve slightly when I see the shit kickers. He takes off the helmet and I get a good look at him. His thick black hair is shaved on the sides, revealing tatts. More ink peeks out from under the collar of his shirt and down both arms.
I wonder if he has full sleeves. His hazel eyes look greener against his olive complexion. He smiles, showing even white teeth and dimples. I feel my stomach dip.
Oh no, Miss Thang, forget it! You are NOT going to flirt with him. Fucking hell, I thought, Miss Thang died along with my libido years ago.
“Can I help you, ma’am?”
“Only if you have a spare tire on that sled?”
His smile widened. “I’m afraid not. Can I wait with you for a tow?”
I glance at my watch. “I’m going to be late for an appointment. If I call a tow truck, it’ll be at least an hour.”
“Let me call our garage. They’ll send out a tow truck and take the car. We’ll get your tire repaired and get you a spare.”
I eye him suspiciously. “Why are you helping?
“My ma raised me right. I’d never have Sunday gravy again if I left someone stranded on the side of the road.”
“How much is it going to cost?”
“I’ll have them give you the friends and family discount.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I will,” he says with a smile and a wink.
I bite back a retort. I need that ride and a hefty retainer.
“I’m on my way to Daisy Duke’s for a breakfast meeting.”
“What a coincidence. So am I.”
“I don’t have a second helmet with me. Mine will be a little big, but let’s get you strapped in.”
“Let me grab my satchel and put the spare key out.”
Wizard
I ’m tooling down the highway on my way to Daisy Duke’s to meet with Charlie Caruso. I have a thumb drive with everything I found so far on Lola Biaz. It’s plenty to get him started. I spot a vehicle in one of the empty parking lots. Not far off the road. A woman is outside the way her head is hung. She must be having issues.
I pull in behind her, immediately stunned by her beauty when I get closer. Her long dark hair is pulled back into a braid. She’s a tiny thing. Around five feet. Piercing blue eyes meet mine when I get closer. After she agrees to let me give her a ride, I watch her walk to her car while I text Crab. He’s working in the garage today. Damn, she has a nice ass.
She fishes a satchel out of the car. Then I watch her put a small magnet key holder under the right front wheel well. I add that info to a second text and shoot it off to Crab. When she is ready, I strap my helmet on her head and mount my sled. Offering her my hand after I’m seated. She throws a leg over and settles with ease. I wonder if she’s done this before.
An invisible hand clutches at my chest. I don’t like the idea of her riding on the back of someone else’s bike. The thought gnaws at me the whole way to the restaurant. I park out front, helping her off before putting down the kickstand and getting off after her. I hurry after her, opening the door.
“Hey before your meeting, can I get your name and phone number? For the garage?”
“Oh, that would help. Wouldn’t it?” She says with a smile.
She offers me her hand. “Charlie Caruso.”
I almost swallow my tongue.
“Private investigator Charlie Caruso.”
She smiles. “One and the same.”
I point to the patch on my chest where my club name is stitched. Her face lights up with recognition.
“You don’t look like a Wizard.”
I smile. “I’m the club’s tech guy. Our sister club dubbed their tech guy Bug.”
“Wizard is better. You were expecting a guy.”
I nod.
“My dad wanted a boy. Mom named me Charlotte. Dad called me Charlie and it stuck.”
“Let’s find a table and get some food.”
She nods her head.
I point out an empty table and follow behind her. Once we’re seated, a server comes by and drops off water and menus.
“I’ll be right back with coffee.”