Davis' P.O.V.
"What do you think? Can you help?" I asked Derek.
Derek was the man that helped me find some justice for my wife, Grace. He was an ex-cop now, who knew sometimes the system didn't work, and you had to work around it. I thought if anyone could help Lisa, it would be him.
"This guy sounds like a real piece of work. I'll start digging around and see what I can find. We have to figure out who he has on his payroll first. Does your girl know names?"
"I'm not sure and didn't ask very many follow-up questions. I was pretty pissed off when she told me," I sighed, leaning back in the small booth we chose.
This bar was a known hangout for low-lifes. The place was always dimly lit, packed full of large men with grungy looks. There wasn't a single person here that liked to meddle in other people's business. Everyone sat on their own at the bar or with their associates at a booth. Currently, Derek and I were in the back corner booth, eyeing the scum of the world. It was the best place for us to meet, but I hated it here.
"Ask her today when you see her and let me know. Bringing someone down as powerful as him is going to take time. We have to find the right evidence for everyone involved. If we can find a ledger with the names of the cops and judges he has employed, we'd have a better chance." Derek was deep in thought as he formulated a plan of how best to go about this.
His fingers tapped the dirty table before us as his dark brows stayed pinched. It was hard to see in this bar, but Derek had definitely aged over the years. His black hair was now streaked with gray, but he still styled it the same, gelled back like an old greaser.
The small crow’s feet beside his eyes were not a sign of how often he smiled, but more of how often he squinted. There were no laugh lines on his face, because Derek wasn't one to smile, let alone laugh. He was serious, having seen a few too many dark things to laugh ever again.
"I will. So does this mean you'll help?" I was hopeful, but I knew it was a long shot.
"Of course I'll help, Davis, but it's going to take time and money. Do you have enough of both?"
"I do," I said in a serious voice.
My underground fighting ring has actually made me a decent amount of money. If I kept that money to myself, I'd be damn rich, but that was never my intention when I started this. I used that money to donate to the women's shelter, the homeless shelter, and to teach self-defense classes for women for free.
Of course, I pay my employees, and keep some money for bribing if we're ever caught by the cops. It had yet to happen, but it wasn't because we were cautious. I think they knew, but they didn't care enough. Honestly, we weren’t hurting anyone, and I was working on legalizing the fights.
"Alright then, I'll be in touch. Remember, from now on you don't contact me unless I contact you. If you see me in the streets, you don't know me. I'm just another stranger in the crowd."
I nodded, seeing Derek get up from the booth and head toward the door without a second glance. He was not Derek anymore, but a determined man on a mission. As I watched his broad shoulders narrowly fit through the doorway, I felt a sense of ease. I knew he would do all he could to help bring down Lisa's father. It was now just a matter of time, luck, and money.
Lisa:Where are you? I'm at your place.
My heart soared when I saw Lisa's text as I headed to my car. She was keeping her promise, and I planned on keeping mine, too.
Davis:Be there in 5 minutes. Don't go anywhere.
I couldn't wipe the smirk off my face as I placed the helmet over my head and straddled my bike. I zoomed through the streets to my house with every intention of getting there faster than the five minutes I said it would take. My hands itched to touch that delicate skin of hers. I wanted her badly, and for some reason she wanted me too.
My eyes caught sight of her as I rounded the corner. She was sitting in her car, staring down at her phone, mindlessly scrolling through it. She had a small frown on her face, one I plan to wipe away. I revved my bike to catch her attention, causing her to look up, and my heart to skip a bit.
Those eyes would be my undoing.
She opened the door, letting her long legs step out. Her legs were so smooth, shining with the reflection of the sun. She wore a white sundress that reached just above her knees. No matter what she had on, she always made it look elegant.
I pulled my bike into the garage, kicking the stand as quickly as I could. Taking my helmet off, I tied my hair into a quick bun before Lisa graced me with her presence.
"Hello, beautiful," she said, but those words were not directed at me. She ran her hand over the Triumph that I now planned to give her.
"I see where your priorities lie," I teased her, causing her to smirk.
"Can you blame me?"
"Not in the least."
I was not a man you catch smiling often. After the shit I had been through, it was hard to find joy outside of my daughter, or should I saydaughters. Around her I couldn't help the smirk that reached the corner of my lips. Lisa had brought to life a part of my heart I thought was long gone.
"So what's first coach?" she teased.
