It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Lev’s mom lose the composed and professional demeanor she maintains in every situation. The anxiety in her tone is hard to miss.
“What kind of trouble are you in?” She asks when neither Lev nor I answer her question.
“What makes you think we’re in any trouble?” Lev counters.
Rachel rolls her eyes. “You came here asking if we had a place to talk where we were sure our conversations weren’t being listened to. That can only mean that you realized that our house is under surveillance. And if you know that, it can only mean that somehow you’ve had an encounter with the people who are surveilling the house. Those people are clients of mine who wouldn’t have any reason to make themselves known to you, unless you hadn’t found yourselves mixed in their business.”
I can’t argue with her assessment of the situation.
“So? What kind of trouble are you in?” she insists when neither of us speaks up. “Enzo Morelli would have no reason to get involved with you to the point that you found out that he was listening to your conversations unless it was something illegal.”
She sounds more worried with every word she utters.
There’s a tick in Lev’s jaw. It’s obvious that he isn’t happy about making his parents privy to our predicament.
The thing is, we’re in uncharted, dangerous waters. And with Enzo Morelli behind his nephew, we’re out of our depth.
“What we’re going to say needs to remain between us.” I say. “So I guess you’re going to have to act as our attorneys.”
Another look passes between Lev’s parents.
“Fine. You’re protected by attorney client privilege. Levin, is that what you wish to do too?”
Lev looks more uncomfortable with every passing second. “Yeah.” He finally says.
“Just to be clear,” Rachel says. “We have no issue being Ares’s attorneys. But if whatever you tell us were to result in a court case, Levin will have to find alternative representation. As your parents, we can’t guarantee that there wouldn’t be any conflict of interest in our actions, and any judge would be worried about the possible implications of that, if it could cause a mistrial. Is that clear?”
“Crystal.” Lev bites out.
His mother looks at him for a long moment. The tension from years of unresolved resentment between Lev and his parents is like a palpable presence in the room. “Levin, I hope you know that your father and I don’t mean to sound cold. But?—”
He sighs. “I know, Mom. I understand that if we’re asking for legal counsel, you have to think as an attorney first and as my parents second.”
Christopher intervenes. “That’s exactly why your mother warned you that should this turn into a court case, we might have to rethink your representation. We care too much about you not to let that cloud our judgment.”
The tension in my best friend’s shoulders eases just a fraction. “I know. Thank you.”
Rachel takes a hesitant step toward him. She almost stops with her arms open, but Lev pulls her into the embrace his mother was seeking.
I know he’s always felt that his parents don’t care much about him. Maybe the truth is that their way of showing their love for him is just different. Some people show their love by providingand might focus on the material things rather than quality time spent together. I’m not a fan of their parenting style, but it’s also not my place to judge them.
“Now that we figured out legal representation,” Christopher says. “Tell us what’s going on.”
I begin with what happened earlier in the women’s bathroom at the Country Club. I don’t leave out any details. From our relationship with Zara to our fear for her safety if we don’t put an end to the races. There’s no need to point out the obvious legal implications since motorcycles are banned in Star Cove.
“It’s obvious that Morelli has no intention of letting Zara, and the guys quit until the races are lucrative. He keeps adding extortionate interest to her ‘debt.’ But after what happened earlier, we’re worried that when he’s done with the races, he has even more sinister plans for Zara.” I conclude.
“That’s if she doesn’t get taken out by whoever tried to hit her bike twice at this point.” Lev adds.
Lev’s parents’ reaction is way more calm and composed than what I can imagine Dad would do if he knew everything I just said.
“You have gotten yourselves into a dangerous and complicated predicament.” Rachel says. “You’re right that you can’t continue with those races. Sooner or later, someone is going to get seriously hurt. Whether it’s because of the complete lack of safety measures during the races, or because of this mysterious biker that has it out for Zara, or by the hand of Mason and his uncle.”
“There’s only one way to end this situation without ending up on Enzo Morelli’s kill list.” Her husband concludes. “I have a plan.”
When he explains what he intends to do, Lev and I have opposite reactions.
“I don’t like it.” I say.
