chapter 5

Chapter 5

Sophia pov

I drove to the Desert Rose with my heart in my throat. The parking lot was empty except for about a dozen motorcycles lined up like soldiers. All Iron Wolves.

I parked down the street where no one could see my car and crept closer, staying in the shadows like a ninja. Well, a ninja in too-tight jeans and too much lipstick. Not exactly the type of stealth a ninja would be in.

Through the dirty bar window, I could see them all gathered inside. Tank stood at the head of a long table, his bald head shining under the lights. Razor sat beside him, arms crossed, looking angry. And Blade

…he… stood against the wall with his arms folded, face like a thundercloud.

My hands shook as I crouched behind a rusty dumpster across from the Desert Rose. Through the dirty bar window, I could see everything perfectly.

I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I didn't need to. The tension was so thick I could feel it even through the glass.

What on earth was going on?

Tank stood at the head of a long table, his bald head gleaming under the yellow lights. Razor sat next to him, arms crossed tight over his chest, looking like he wanted to punch someone. Other Iron Wolves members filled the chairs around them, all wearing serious faces.

And Blade… he… leaned against the far wall, arms folded, watching everything with those cold blue eyes like a hawk.

But they weren't alone.

Three men in expensive suits sat opposite Tank. They were bikers. These guys looked like businessmen… slicked-back hair, shiny watches, leather briefcases. One of them opened his briefcase and pulled out what looked like stacks and stacks of money.

My heart started racing. This was it. This was the evidence I needed. Proof that the Iron Wolves were doing illegal business deals. Proof I could take to Director Morrison and finally prove my worth.

I pulled out my phone with trembling fingers, opening the camera app as quietly as possible. If I could just get a few clear photos of the money changing hands...

I zoomed in through the window. Tank was counting the cash now, his big fingers flipping through bills. One of the suit guys said something that made everyone laugh.

Perfect. I had the shot lined up. I just needed to press the red button, and all the evidence will be in my hands.

My finger moved toward the screen ready to press…

I felt a shadow behind me, then a large hand wrapped around my wrist before I could react.

"Don't."

Blade's voice sounded right in my ear.

My heart flew out of my mouth.

I nearly screamed if not for my FBI training.

How did he get behind me without making a sound? I had been watching the window the whole time!

I spun around, and there he was. Those steel-blue eyes staring down at me, with his lips curled up in a snarl.

"Let go," I hissed, trying to yank my hand free. But his grip was like iron.

"Not a chance." He pulled me further into the shadows, away from the window. "Which type of don't come to work today don't you understand?”

“I don't take orders from you” I snapped.

He paused for a second, “you should leave."

"I can't…"

"SOPHIA” Steel's blues eyes were intense, almost pleading. "Please. Trust me."

Why would I trust him? He was a criminal. And I was in law enforcement. We were on opposite sides.

But something in his voice, something genuine, made me to hesitate.

"I can handle…"

"You can't handle those men." His voice got quieter, which somehow made it scarier. "Those suits? They are not selling Girl Scout cookies, Sophia. They are connected to people who make bodies disappear. Permanently."

"How do you know my…" Oh. Right. He knew everything about me apparently.

"I know lots of things." He finally released my wrist, but stepped in front of me, blocking my path back to the window. "Like how you have been snooping around the neighbourhood.

My stomach dropped to my feet. "I don't know what you mean."

"Yes

"I didn't ask for your protection."

"Too bad. You have got it anyway." He glanced back at the window again. "Now come on. We need to leave before…"

The bar's back door suddenly slammed open.

The three men in suits walked out, laughing and patting each other on the back. One of them lit a cigar. Another checked his fancy watch.

My evidence. My proof Were Walking way right in front of me, and I couldn't do anything about it.

"No," I breathed, reaching for my phone again.

But Blade's hand was faster. "Don't be stupid."

"They are getting away!"

"Let them." He pulled me deeper into the shadows as the men climbed into a black SUV and drove off. "You can't arrest them anyway. No warrant, no backup, and definitely no jurisdiction for whatever deal l just went down."

I watched the SUV's taillights disappear around the corner, taking my chance with it. All that risk for nothing.

"I hate you," I muttered.

"Yeah, well, you'll hate me less than being dead." He grabbed my elbow. "Come on. We're leaving. Now."

"Why do you even care if I live or die?"

He didn't answer. Just pulled me toward where his motorcycle was hidden behind another building.

"Get on," he ordered, throwing me a helmet.

"I have a car..."

"...Which I am aware of” he climbed onto his bike. Venom's guys are still looking for you, remember?Unless you want to explain to the Devil's Disciples why you are lurking outside Iron Wolves' bar when it's not a working day."

I wanted to argue more. But he was right… driving alone right now was dangerous. Even if riding with Blade felt dangerous in a completely different way.

I put on the helmet and climbed on behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. The bike roared to life beneath us.

"Hold tight," he said,

Then we were flying through the dark streets, the wind whipping past us so fast it stole my breath. I pressed closer to Blade's back, feeling his muscles move under his leather jacket as he steered.

We rode in silence for ten minutes. Finally, he pulled over about two blocks from my motel.

"Why are we stopping?" I asked, climbing off.

"Because if anyone's watching your place, they can't see you arrive with me." He stayed on his bike, engine still running. "Walk the rest of the way. Stay in the light. Call me if anything feels wrong."

"I don't have your number."

He rattled off ten digits. I didn't write them down. I didn't need to… FBI training meant I remembered everything.

"Sophia?" he called as I started walking away.

I looked back.

"Be careful," he said. Then he drove off before I could respond, leaving me alone on the empty street.

**********************

The walk to my motel felt longer than usual. Every shadow looked suspicious. Every car driving past made me jump.

But finally, I reached my building. The old neon sign flickered "VACANCY" in sad red letters. My room was on the second floor, number 2

Then I froze.

My room light was on.

Had I left it on this morning? I tried to remember, but my brain was too tired and scared to think straight. Maybe I forgot to turn it off when Maya and I were looking at Blade's information?

Or maybe someone was inside.

My hand moved to my gun, hidden under my jacket. I climbed the metal stairs slowly, quietly, avoiding the creaky spots I'd memorized.

When I reached my door, my blood turned to ice.

It was unlocked also. The door hung open just a tiny crack.

I definitely locked it this morning. I always lock it.

Someone had broken in.

My training kicked in automatically. I pulled out my gun, my senses on high alert as I barged through the half opened door. Took a deep breath leading with my weapon.

"FBI! Don't mov…!"

My words trailed off.

A man sat calmly in the chair by my window. He didn't jump. Didn't look surprised. Just looked at me with cold, calculating eyes.

I froze.

The person was not a criminal like I had thought…, it was Director Morrison!! My supervisor and a high ranking officer in the agency.

And he was sitting in my crappy motel room like he owned it.

Had my little stunts with blades been exposed? Was I in trouble?

"Agent Martinez," he said calmly, like I wasn't pointing a gun at his head,

"Put the weapon down. We need to talk."