Page 62 of Wrath's Nightingale
Thanks brother.
??
I input the number and press send. The phone goes to a generic voicemail message. I leave my number before returning my attention back to my laptop and wall of monitors. I had the local web cam near Aaron and Felicity’s home. Yes, thirty-something-year-old Aaron still lives at home with mommy.
They lived in a crummy rundown neighborhood in a half-double they rented on the lower East side of Indianpolis. I’m pretty sure he’s selling dope. I don’t really care about that. I only care about him coming after his sister again. I also called a friend of mine that lives near Indy. He’s working with a local PI to keep tabs on Aaron and Felicity. I don’t trust either of them.
Chapter 38
Charlie
Today is a total fucking shit show. First, I get called to the principal's office while I’m dropping the girls off at school. My low-life ex didn’t pay the tuition yet again. Now, I owe the school forty-thousand dollars by the end of the school year. Six weeks. Then I get a flat tire on my way to my first appointment of the day.
I’m meeting some guy named Wizard for a potential job. A job that could potentially help pay said tuition. I’m fortunate the school is not making me pay late fees. The fees were due last August. My slug of an ex pays a hundred or a few, then nothing for a few months. That’s the school. He hasn’t paid child support for the last five years. Why isn’t he in jail? Good question. My guess because he’s a sleazeball lawyer with sleazier friends.
Which brings me to now. I slam the trunk of the car down and fight the urge to scream or cry. Possibly both. My spare is missing. I have a sneaking suspicion one of my daughters borrowed it and forgot to tell me. Which really means my piece of shit ex took it for the girl’s car and didn’t tell.
UGGGGGGGGGGGG!
“Deep breaths,” I mutter to myself.
The rumble or a motorcycle draws my attention. Out of instinct, I shift my weight so I can reach my piece if I need it. I watch as a lone biker pulls behind my car. I’d maneuvered into an empty parking lot when the tire went flat.
My breath catches when he takes off his helmet. And not because I’m scared. He’s a fucking adonis. I’d put him at six-foot-two, two-twenty. His black t-shirt clings to a muscular chest and shows off well-formed biceps. Well-worn denim clings to his lean hips. My lips curve slightly when I see the shit kickers. He takes off the helmet and I get a good look at him. His thick black hair is shaved on the sides, revealing tatts. More ink peeks out from under the collar of his shirt and down both arms.
I wonder if he has full sleeves. His hazel eyes look greener against his olive complexion. He smiles, showing even white teeth and dimples. I feel my stomach dip.
Oh no, Miss Thang, forget it! You are NOT going to flirt with him.Fucking hell, I thought, Miss Thang died along with my libido years ago.
“Can I help you, ma’am?”
“Only if you have a spare tire on that sled?”
His smile widened. “I’m afraid not. Can I wait with you for a tow?”
I glance at my watch. “I’m going to be late for an appointment. If I call a tow truck, it’ll be at least an hour.”
“Let me call our garage. They’ll send out a tow truck and take the car. We’ll get your tire repaired and get you a spare.”
I eye him suspiciously. “Why are you helping?
“My ma raised me right. I’d never have Sunday gravy again if I left someone stranded on the side of the road.”
“How much is it going to cost?”
“I’ll have them give you the friends and family discount.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I will,” he says with a smile and a wink.
I bite back a retort. I need that ride and a hefty retainer.
“I’m on my way to Daisy Duke’s for a breakfast meeting.”
“What a coincidence. So am I.”
“I don’t have a second helmet with me. Mine will be a little big, but let’s get you strapped in.”