Page 19 of Love Above Law

Months have passed. Christmas and New Year's has come and gone. With each day bleeding into the next, I become more and more restless. I feel like my friendship with Lex is the only thing keeping me sane. Only the guilt of keeping him a secret is eating at me. I've decided it's time to come clean because I have another secret. After months of pondering the idea, I've decided to go to college. I've decided to go after what I want. Looking down at the piece of paper in my hand; the number of a woman Lex said would help me, I pick up my phone, punch in the number and press send. The phone rings three times before a female voice answers. "Hello."

"May I speak with Deborah Harris, please?"

"This is she."

"My name is Leyna Martinez. I got your number from Lex Taylor."

"Of course, Leyna. I've been expecting your call. May I call you Leyna?"

"Yes, Mrs. Harris, Leyna is fine."

"Great, and please call me Deborah."

Already feeling more at ease with how lovely Deborah is being, I continue. "I apologize it's taken me so long to reach out. I just needed some time to think about taking such a big step."

"I understand, Leyna. Moving away from home and going to school is a pretty big step. Would you like to hear how I can help you?"

"Yes. I'm ready." Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and listen as Deborah explains how she is the dean at Seattle University. She also informed me that after her phone conversation with Lex back in November she immediately started pulling strings for me to obtain a grant. Deborah is going to email me the proper forms to fill out but said I should have no problems moving forward.

"Would you like for me to give you a list of apartments in the area?" Deborah asks. "I know of a building that several students live in. The rent is pretty reasonable, and I think you'd like it."

"Yes. Thank you. I want to go ahead and find something. My plan is to get settled and find employment a few months before my first semester."

"I want to warn you, your classes will be eating up all your time during the day. If you plan on working, it will likely be during the evening hours," she mentions.

"I understand. I'm willing to work hard. I want to do this," I say with certainty.

"I have no doubt you can, Leyna. You sound like a strong, determined young woman. If you need anything at all, you can call me. I'm going to email you that paperwork now along with the information on some apartments."

"Thank you, Deborah. I appreciate all you've done."

"It was my pleasure, Leyna. I look forward to meeting you and showing you around campus once you get to Seattle."

"I look forward to that too."

"Bye, Leyna."

"Bye."

Hanging up the phone, I sigh as I lean back in the black leather chair I'm sitting in. During lunch, Reid, one of Gabriel's brothers and part owner of Kings Construction closes the office for one hour at lunch time.

"You okay, Leyna?" A deep voice asks from the doorway of the office—Quinn's.

"Of course," I reply standing. "Reid was kind enough to let me use his office during my break. But if you're here to see him, he's not made it back yet. I'm not sure when he will," I inform Quinn.

"Darlin', that's why I'm here. I just saw Reid. He had some club shit to take care of and won't be back. He tried to call you, but it went straight to voicemail. He knows you switch the office phone to the answering service during lunch. I told him I'd come by and let ya know. Reid said you could knock off for the day."

"Great. Thanks for letting me know, Quinn." Walking back out to the front of the office to grab my purse, Quinn follows behind me. "You need a lift back to the clubhouse, sweetheart."

"That'd be great," I smile. Slipping on my coat and scarf. With the snowfall, the guys haven't been riding their bikes as much. Some are hardcore and ride no matter what kind of weather we have. After setting the alarm and locking the office door, I follow Quinn out to his car. We ride together in comfortable silence for about five minutes before he speaks. "What's on your mind, sweetheart?"

"Nothing," I lie. "I'm fine," I add, and Quinn snorts.

"Yeah, my bullshit o-meter is not buyin' it."

"I don't know what you're talking about." After getting to know Quinn, I am not surprised he's calling me out. Of all the guys at the club, Quinn is the most perceptive. Sure, he's a hopeless flirt and goofy to no end, but he sees people; really sees them.

"Look. I love my brother. You know I respect the hell out of him, but right now Gabriel is so wrapped up in his woman he can't see his sister is drowning." Pulling up to the clubhouse, Quinn shifts the car in park and turns to me. "Your business is your own, but I'm gonna say what needs to be said then let it be. I know you love your brother. You've been tryin' your damnedest to make a go here with him in Polson. I get it, and I understand why. But one thing you need to realize, is at the end of the day you have to ask yourself, what it is that you want. What will make you happy, and fuck what everyone else thinks."