Chapter Thirty-Two
“The money fromyour trust fund has been wired to your account,” Scott Garber said.
“It’s a lot of money. It’s scary. I’m glad you kept pestering me about the will. I feel better now that I have one.” Fallon tapped her fingers on the counter.
“I suggest you invest it. If you want to set up another trust, you can call me. I can easily do that for you. Of course, I don’t want to tell you what to do with your money, but I wouldn’t advise just leaving it in your bank account. You’ll want it to grow.”
“Diablo and I are planning another trip to Denver. He and some of his buddies are going to see a motorcycle show at the convention center. I’ll definitely make an appointment and have you help me set things up.”
“Sounds good. I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about your mother. I heard about it on the news. How’re you doing?”
“Thanks for mentioning it. I’m taking it one day at a time. I’ll call you in the next week or two. Thanks for everything.”
Fallon set her phone down and glanced at the time. She had to meet Annie in less than half an hour and she wasn’t even dressed. She slid off the chair and went into the bedroom. In her closet, she pulled out her cut and ran her fingers over the embroidered letters. A thrill ran through her each time she looked at it. A few nights before, they were out with some of the brothers at a biker bar and she had on her cut. When a biker hit on her, she’d just pointed over her shoulder at her back. The moment he’d seen her “Property of Diablo” patch, he’d mumbled something and walked away. She loved wearing her man’s patch. For her, wearing it meant she was his and he was hers.
She pulled out a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved green T-shirt, and a cardigan to ward off the bite the late October wind carried. As she combed her hair, her phone rang and she rushed into the kitchen to pick it up, grimacing when she saw it was Shanna. Hesitating for a couple seconds, she answered.
“I’m just calling to see if you want anything before I clear out the house.”
“You’re moving?”
“Yeah. There’s no way I want to stay in this house with all the memories. Did you want to take anything? Like some mementos?”
She snorted. “Of what? I’m good. Whatever you don’t want just throw away.”
“How’re you doing?”
Shanna still didn’t fool her. She’d known from the day Charlie brought her home that Shanna hated her. Why she did, Fallon didn’t know, but now it didn’t matter. “I’m fine.”
“I missed you at the service. I know you had some issues with Charlie, but he did care about you. He was so distraught with the investigation and the way the cops were trying to pin your mother’s death on him that it got to be too much. He was suffering—”
“I have to go. I have an appointment. Like I said, throw out whatever you don’t want. Have a nice life.”I hope I never hear from her again. I’m sure her plans to take my money were thwarted by the law firm and Charlie’s death. They sure in hell deserved each other.
She went back to her room and dabbed on her perfume, the scent enveloping her and making her think of Diablo. She slipped her shoes on, slung her bag over her shoulder, grabbed a jacket, and left her apartment.
When she arrived at Burger Hamlet, Annie was already seated at a table near the fireplace. Fallon waved and made her way over, smiling at Annie’s obsession with hamburgers; it was all she ever wanted to eat. During lunch, they talked about books and the upcoming holiday. Annie said she wanted to have Thanksgiving at her place. Fallon was pretty sure the club would be celebrating the holiday with the brothers. Diablo told her that they did the main holidays together.
Fallon hadn’t shared any information about Diablo with Annie. She wasn’t sure her friend would understand the outlaw biker world. She also didn’t share too much about herself with others. It was a throwback to her growing years, and she still had trust issues.
On the other hand, Annie talked nonstop about her boyfriend. She adored him, and he was almost like a god to her. Fallon thought it was funny that Annie’s boyfriend could do no wrong.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” their waiter asked. Both women shook their heads and he placed the bill tray on the table. “Whenever you’re ready I’ll take it.” He sauntered away.
“I’m having such a problem trying to decide which paint color to use on my walls. I also want to replace the window coverings. I wish I had an artistic eye,” Annie said as she took out her wallet.
“I’m not that good either, but I have a friend who’s an artist. She’s amazing. She did a fantastic job with my place.”
“I’d love to have her help me. I’d pay her. I really need some guidance. Do you think you could come over and take a few pictures to show her? If she’s interested, I can set up an appointment with her. I live only a couple of minutes from here.”
Fallon looked at her phone; Diablo was coming by to pick her up in a couple hours. “I can go, but I can’t stay too long.”
“I understand. It shouldn’t take too long to take the pictures. My place isn’t that big.” Annie laughed and stood up. The two women left the restaurant. “Follow me.”
Fallon went to her car and followed Annie to a small apartment complex. “What floor are you on?” she said.
“The second.”
Fallon climbed the stairs slowly, then entered her apartment. Annie’s place was practically bare. There were a few boxes against the wall, three chairs, a small table with a television on it, and a small love seat. It didn’t look lived-in, and there wasn’t a warm feel to it. The ambience was cold and sterile, and Fallon shuddered involuntarily as she sat on the love seat.
