chapter 7

Sophie pov

The night granted me a lot of things, but sleep wasn't part of the package. I tossed and turned as I wondered why Blade invited me to the festival. We barely knew each other and were on opposite sides of the law. And he was part of the gang that murdered my brother. I shouldn't have accepted, yet I was compelled to.

I turned towards my bedside table to see the alarm clock, which read 5:30am. Sh*t.

"Might as well start my bloody day," I murmured unpleasantly to no one in particular. I had a few hours before I reported to the Desert Rose but I couldn't sit still, my mind was restless as hell. Taking out my brother's picture as I always did whenever I grew restless. Although he was dead, his face had the same effect on me, calming me down and sharpening my focus.

"Don't worry, baby brother, I'll bring your murderers to justice. Make sure they all rot in jail, and your soul can find peace. I stroked the picture before bringing it to my lips. I shut my eyes for a moment as I remembered his smiling face.

Taking a deep breath, I said to myself, "Going to the festival is not an act of betrayal to my brother, I am not associating with the enemy. It's just for the case of Sophia. All isn't going to hell.

I don't think my inner mind believed me, but I was going to work with what I had.

I had my toothbrush in my mouth when my phone chimed with notifications. Two texts from both Blade and Maya.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE RALLY-B.

Well, I had no choice but to attend if I really wanted information. Besides, attending might get them to start seeing me as one of their own.

HEARD ABOUT YOUR MEETING WITH MORRISON, CALL ME—MAYA.

I debated whether to call her immediately or after brushing my teeth. Definitely better after I finish brushing my teeth. I didn't need her lecturing me again, not this early in the morning.

Turns out the Desert Rose was closed because of the rally, so I had some free time on my hands before I had to leave for the rally. Therefore, a long bath was owed to me. I carefully washed my hair and body. Taking time to care for oneself was a priority, not to impress any known person.

Taking my time in the shower, I heard the incessant ringing of my phone. Without drying off,I tied a towel around my body as I padded into the room. Seeing it was Maya, I picked it up and held it slightly away from my ear in case she wanted to lash out.

"Sophia!, Don't you say you haven't seen my text? You were supposed to call me. I swear you drive me nuts," Maya's insistent lecturing made me almost lose it.

"Maya, you sent me a text in the odd hours of the morning when most people would be enjoying their dreams. I just got out of the shower for a bloody sale. Hold your horses, "I fumed. Being worried about me was one thing, but I refused to be spoken down to.

The silence there was so heavy I could hear the machine blip. I checked if she was still on call with me.

"Careful Martinez, just because you're the primary agent here doesn't mean I don't outrank you. I was worried and just looking out for you." Her voice was pitched so low. I had to pacify her.

"You're right, I'm sorry. I'm just jittery this morning and I appreciate you looking out for me, but I am fine," I cooed. I had to let peace reign and to keep the reviews which I knew she gave to Morrison positive.

She seemed to be pacified as her tone switched cheerfully. "I heard Morrison almost pulled you out of the mission? I swear I had nothing to do with that, but how did you convince him otherwise?

"Oh, you know, I reminded him that I was the best option for the case. Promised delivery if given another chance. He couldn't resist." I gave her a short edited version of what transpired. I didn't want to tell her about my brother being a spy or working with the Agency. And, against my better judgment, told her about the rally I was attending.

"Are you sure you want to go to this rally? It seems dangerous. Were you invited?" Maya asked.

I couldn't tell her Blade invited me, or she would have a fit. So I answered, "It's not dangerous. I was invited out of courtesy. Besides, it's a way to earn their trust. Was I really defending these people? What is wrong with me?

Maya's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Does Morrison approve of this?"

"Morrison charged me with getting evidence. This is me getting evidence."

"All right, you're the primary agent here, so you know what's best," MAYA conceded.

Is she really agreeing with me right now? I didn't even get a long lecture. Hallelujah.

We switched to lighter topics, she insisted on coming to the rally. I accepted only the condition that she would make herself scarce. I ended the call with her warning in my ear about the bikers.

I walked to the wardrobe to see if I had anything really worthy. Apparently, Agent Sophia's clothes had nothing promising. I moved to the duffel bag under the table and searched.

Bartender Sophie's clothes would suffice, I settled for high-waisted jeans and a red off-the-shoulders top. I went inside the bathroom where I stood in front of the mirror and, with a curling iron, I "borrowed"from Maya. I made soft curls in my hair. I dabbed some powder on my face, a little eyeliner and some mascara and Sophie's signature red lipstick. I sprayed some setting spray and viewed my handiwork.

I didn't go all the way, but I was satisfied with my look. Walking back into the room, I pulled on a pair of platform heels . I grabbed my keys, stuffed them into my bag. Setting a pair of sunglasses on my head, I sprayed my perfume. Closing the door behind me, I made my way to the parking lot.

Walking towards the row where my car was parked, I froze. There was a flash of movement from my peripheral line of sight.

"Is someone there?" I turned and called out. Silence answered me. I was about to investigate when the motel clerk walked out, whistling as she greeted me cheerily while making her way towards the office.

" I swear I'm getting paranoid, is everything suspicious Sophia?" I chastised myself while blaming my lack of sleep. I started my car while promising to get coffee on the way.

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