All Chapters of Chrome and lies: A Bikers Betrayal: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

SOPHIE's POV.My alarm goes off to signal me for my shift at the Desert Rose, my mind still on what Maya was able to recover from the corrupted file. I pondered while my hand wandered aimlessly for what I would wear to my shift.I pulled on a pair of faded jeans and a top, I moved to the table to brush out my hair. The motion of a brush moving through my locks was a sort of calming exercise. My mind went to Blade. He hasn't sent a word to me since he left abruptly after the rally with no explanation whatsoever. I finished brushing before putting my hair in a high ponytail.I chucked my keys into my purse, switched off the lights and was about to leave when I remembered I hadn't put on any lipstick. Slightly cursing, I picked up a lipstick from the table and entered the bathroom. Coming out, I smoothed out my hair while checking my phone to see if I had any new messages from Blade. But nothing popped up."Why am I waiting for a message like a love-sick puppy?" I mused as I stepped out,

Sophia PovThe blue light of the screen felt like a physical weight against my eyes, even now that the phone was lying on the duvet. I stayed perfectly still, the rhythmic hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen suddenly sounding like a countdown.It was just one image. One image of names on a sheet of paper I wasn't meant to have seen.I rolled onto my back, staring up at the ceiling where the shadows of the window frame stretched out like long, skeletal fingers. My heart was doing a slow, heavy thud against my ribs, the kind of beat that vibrates in your ears until it’s all you can hear. I tried to rationalize it. I tried to tell myself that context is everything.But I knew better. The coldness settling in my gut wasn't from the draft under the door.I reached out, my hand hovering over the cold glass of the phone. I wanted to pick it up and delete it to scrub the digital footprint until my reality felt clean again. But the knowledge was already under my skin, itching like a fever.I

SOPHIA POV.I made my way to my room with the enthusiasm of a drunk driver. My legs felt like noodles as I turned the key in the lock. I breathed in the smell of disinfectant, my brain refusing to analyze why my room smelled that way. Dropping my bag on the table, I flung myself on the bed face down.The shift today was a little busy and I was so tired. The case, the gang, it was all getting to me, and I was so overwhelmed. I brought out Miguel's photo and stroked the picture. I wanted to hear his voice again, but I knew that was impossible, but I needed to hear something familiar.I took out my phone and dialed a number. I cautioned myself not to contact on missions, but I needed to hear the person. The call didn't go through, and I dialed again, sitting up on my bed as I waited anxiously."Hello, Sophia," a sweet voice answered, making me sigh in relief."Mami, were you sleeping?" I asked. Hearing her instantly calmed me. I had promised not to call her on missions, she was the only

SOPHIA POV.My heart stopped beating. Miguel's name circled in the middle of Blade's evidence wall. There were photos, dates. The red thread interlocking clues I hadn't discovered in the five years I had worked in the Agency. How had he gathered so much in so little time? I seemed to glance at the wall for what seemed like years. He had a whole system that seemed to be working for him, and what did I have? Nothing, just overbearing superiors and messed-up direction.I let out a short, angry laugh, raking my fingers through my hair. I bit my lip in frustration as I looked up towards Blade. "Tell me everything you know about Miguel and this investigation. I want to know all you have uncovered."Blade stared at me in silence, his eyes seemed to be measuring me. I stood straighter as I looked up at him, my eyes daring him to deny my request. If he refused to tell me, I would do all it takes to sneak back in here and secure the information surrounding Miguel's death.He told me roughly, "W

BLADE POV I watch as Sophia's world tilts on its axis, seeing the video of her brother being brutally murdered and finding out about the corruption in an Agency she gave her life to. The Agency was protecting her brother's killer. The shell shock would have crumpled many people who would be her position, but not her. Her face was set in stone despite her eyes looking all red and puffy. From crying. She allowed herself to break without losing her dignity and respect. I replayed the sound of her breaking down in the bathroom. I couldn't step in to help or comfort her, she wouldn't have liked that, nor would she have accepted my help either. She absorbed the shock with the elegance of a panther. She sat down after hearing the truth, gave herself a few minutes to make peace with it and began firing multiple questions with the precision of a sniper. I respect that, she seemed to shelf things into mental compartments. "How legitimate is the source of your claim? Do you have enough evid