I sigh. “I had the entire week off, but I asked to go back early because I was planning to speak to the sheriff. I know they were understaffed since some people were off sick this week, so I thought going back early would get Sheriff Pullin in a good mood and more likely to be receptive to the deal I wanted to make with him. But that was before our little conversation with Morelli. Now we need to think things through before we do anything. But I have all night on patrol to think about that. Let me drive you home first.”
“But I can’t go home, Ares.” She shakes her head. “With Scott out of town, Mom is going to be home tonight. The second she’s gonna hear my voice, she’s gonna start asking questions. There’sno way I can let her see my neck in this state. I need to stay away for a day or two until my voice improves, and then I’ll say I have a sore throat and wear a scarf to hide the bruises. She won’t freak out if I sound a little scratchy, but if she hears me right now, she will.”
I intervene. “Can you say that you’re going to stay with Lev again? Kelly loves that you two are dating, and she won’t question it.”
It’s impossible to hide my resentment of the fact that Kelly would react in a totally different way if she knew that Zara was with me. Or with Ares.
None of it is Lev’s fault, but thanks to our parents’ delusional plan to blend our families, we’re stuck playing the role of Zara’s doting brothers whenever we’re in public.
To my surprise, Zara isn’t in on that plan.
“We can’t go to Lev’s house.” She rasps. “Mason knew everything we discussed this morning in detail. He even knew that you and Lev were both in my bed last night.”
“What the fuck?” Ares says, expressing the way I feel too.
Zara explains what Mason told her before he tried to assault her. “He kept saying that a businessman keeps close tabs on his assets. When he threatened me, he told me that if I wanted to know what happens if you displease his uncle, I should ask Lev’s parents.”
“There’s only one way he could have known all those things.” I conclude. “Lev’s house must be bugged or something.”
Ares agrees with me. “Yeah. Mason could have probably suspected that I would go to the sheriff about the races, but he knew my plan in detail. And he knew that you and Lev like to share Zara.”
Red hot fury mounts inside me at the thought that Morelli could listen to our most intimate moments. Maybe he could seeus too if he had cameras installed in Lev’s house. “That piece of shit.” I bite out.
Ares looks deep in thought. “Ok, we need to change our plans then.” He takes his keys out of his pocket and throws them to me. “Take Zara to my apartment and stay with her.”
I catch them easily. “You got it.”
“Chance, don’t let her out of your sight, not even for a second. And make sure Zara gets some rest. I have some organic honey in my kitchen, maybe stop somewhere to get some lemons to make a hot drink to soothe her throat.”
Jules, who’s been listening to our conversation, chimes in. “No need. I can get you some lemons from our kitchen and send you home with some soup in case Zara gets hungry later.”
“Thank you.” I say. “That would be great.”
He nods. “Don’t mention it. Morelli is a constant problem for a lot of people in town. Unfortunately, his uncle is a member here at the club, and he has people reporting to him everywhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had someone inside the town council.”
Ares agrees. “Yeah, you’re right. At this point, even if I wanted to go to the sheriff about the races, I don’t know who I can trust at the station. I trust Kirk, but I can’t be sure that Enzo Morelli doesn’t have any informants in our ranks.”
Jules leaves to gather the things he promised to send home with us.
I bend down to collect Zara’s clutch from the floor. “Ok. We’re going then. What are you going to do before work? Do you need to come with us to change into your uniform?”
He shakes his head. “No. I keep a spare in my locker at the station. I’m going to go speak to Lev about the situation at his house instead.” Before leaving, he tucks a strand of Zara’s hair behind her ear. “Princess, if you and Chance need anything at any point tonight, I want you to call me, ok? I’ll keep my phoneon me all night. Chance, you check in with me every couple of hours, please?”
Normally I’d roll my eyes at that kind of request, but I know he isn’t asking because he doesn’t trust me. It’s because he cares so much about Zara that he needs to know that she’s safe or he’ll lose his fucking mind. I know because I would feel exactly the same way if the roles were reversed.
“I will. You be careful out there.” I say.
Ares nods. “You too. I’ll see you tomorrow, princess.”
He brushes his lips against hers, and I’m surprised when the usual jealousy that hits me when I see Ares even look at Zara doesn’t come.
Maybe Lev is right. If Zara can’t choose between the three of us, maybe we can make this work.
Chapter 9
Bugged
LEV
