Hawke: A Bad Boy Fighter Romance (With bonus book Sons of Flame MC) (17 page)

Chapter Five

Tess

“I ain’t seen ‘em. Not since I got out.”

These words were uttered with a smirk that said the speaker knew they were bullshit, but didn’t care who knew it.

Tess massaged her temples - she could feel a headache coming on, and it wasn’t even lunchtime yet. She lifted her eyes and stared at the man sat opposite her. His name was Frederick Stapleton, and he’d gotten out of jail a couple of months beforehand. He’d been in for drugs, robbery, and intimidation. Nothing unusual there. He had a weaselly face with narrow, shifty eyes that were constantly darting around the room, as if he was expecting a SWAT team to come bursting in through the door at any moment.

“Mr Stapleton,” Tess began, but he cut her off.

“Call me Moose. Everyone else does.”

Tess just blinked at him. She couldn’t have thought of a more unsuitable nickname for this creature if she tried.

“I think I’ll stick to your real name, Mr Stapleton, if you don’t mind.”

He sniffed.

“Suit yourself.”

Tess closed her eyes and counted to five, slowly, before opening them and beginning again.

“As I was saying. I have some reports here, Mr Stapleton.”

Tess picked up a manila folder with his name on it, and showed it to him. He eyed it warily, but didn’t say anything.

“It says in here that you’ve been seen with known gang members and engaging in ‘suspicious activities’.”

Tess cocked an eyebrow at him, waiting for a response that didn’t come. He just sat there looking like a kid being scolded by his teacher, and she sighed in frustration.

“Look. You keep hanging around with these guys, we both know what’s going to happen. You’ll end up back inside, and I
really
don’t think you’ll be up for parole again for a long time if that happens, do
you
?”

He was now quite blatantly staring at Tess’ breasts, making no attempt at subtlety. Tess felt anger and frustration and rage bubble up inside her.

She leaned forward across the table until she was right in his face, staring into his bloodshot eyes.

“You look at my chest again,
Moose
, and I promise you that you’ll live to regret it. You seem to forget that, as your parole officer, I ultimately have the power to send you back behind bars.”

His face went pale.

“Y-you can’t do that...I ain’t done nothin’.”

Tess didn’t blink, didn’t move an inch.

“You wanna take that bet with me, Mr Stapleton?”

He opened his mouth to speak, then thought better of it and just shook his head.

“I’m sorry? I didn’t catch that.”

Tess’ voice was ice.

“No ma’am,” he muttered.

Tess sat back in her chair.

“Good. See how things are much easier when you just cooperate and let me help you? Now, I don’t want to see any more reports about you landing on my desk, Mr Stapleton. When you check back in with me next month, I expect to hear that you’ve been a model citizen. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes ma’am.”

He looked cowed and fearful now, eager to please. Tess let him sweat for a few seconds longer than necessary, before plastering a saccharine smile across her lips.

“I’m glad we understand each other. See you next month.”

He sat for a few seconds longer, unsure of what to do, waiting for a prompt from her.

“You can go now.”

He looked grateful, bowing his head before ducking out of the room quickly.

When he was gone, Tess leaned back with a sigh. As good as that had felt, she was disappointed in herself that she’d let him get to her. The main thing that she always tried to remember with most of these guys was that they could smell weakness, and they’d take advantage of it in whatever way they could. Sometimes she needed to remind them of who was holding all the cards, but Tess didn’t like losing her temper.

She closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She had a stack of paperwork on her desk that wasn’t going away anytime soon, but she took a few moments to gather herself in the meeting room before she went back out into the office.

Tess’ thoughts wandered to Eli Flint, as they so often had been recently. She found herself wondering how he was doing at that decrepit old machine shop, and hoping that he had managed to steer clear of the Sons of Flame. She was worried that there wouldn’t be enough work there and that he’d be tempted to go back to his old life, but she also felt that he was strong enough to resist the temptation.

Tess laughed softly to herself as she pondered Eli’s situation. Here was an ex-con that she barely knew, and she was making him out to be some sort of misunderstood guy with a heart of gold. In reality he was probably no different than all the others, but there was just something there that Tess couldn’t deny. Something in his eyes, and about the way he held himself.

Tess sat for a few more minutes, a faraway look in her eyes, before she forced herself to her feet and dragged herself back to her desk, back to the endless paperwork.

She’d only just gotten started when she a shadow fell across her desk - Tess looked up and it was Melody, with an apologetic look on her face. Tess didn’t need her to say anything to know what it was that she wanted.

“Melody, look...I’m already so far behind on all of this crap. Please, I can’t take on any more cases right now.”

Melody spoke quickly, placatingly.

“I know, I know, but I’m not asking you to take on the whole case. It’s just a workplace check - Dan’s out sick today and he was supposed to go to Joshuaville this afternoon.”

Tess stopped writing at the mention of Joshuaville. That was where Eli lived. She looked up at Melody.

“Just the one visit, right? No follow-up, no extra paperwork?”

Melody smiled, because she knew she had her now.

“I swear. Just a half hour, sign it off and Dan will do all the rest.”

Tess deliberated for a few seconds. She felt stupid for accepting more work, but at least it would get her out of the office. That was the reason she was going to give herself, at least. In truth, there was always the slight chance that she might run into Eli...or she could pay a visit to him at work, and call it a ‘surprise inspection’ or something along those lines. It was within her rights as his probation officer…

Tess smiled at Melody.

“OK, I’ll do it. But just this once, right?”

Melody beamed at her, obviously delighted that she wasn’t going to have to drive all the way out to Joshuaville herself.

“You’re a real sweetheart, Tess. I’ll remember this. Here, this is the address. The meeting is booked for 3pm.”

Tess took the paper. She knew the place; she’d passed it the previous week. She watched Melody walk away, a bounce in her step, and then checked her watch. Just enough time to grab some lunch before she started the drive.

She gathered her things and headed for the door, her thoughts firmly fixed on Eli Flint.

*****

Chapter Six

Tess

The workplace inspection was pretty standard, and hadn’t taken long. Tess had signed the necessary paperwork and was done within an hour. She walked out into the sweltering heat, shading her eyes with her hand. Her mouth was dry, and she spotted a small drugstore opposite. The dusty road was quiet and empty, so she crossed over and entered the mercifully cool shade. There was a chiller just at the entrance, and she went to it, picking up an ice-cold bottle of water and sighing in relief as she held it to her forehead.

“You’d better make sure you buy it now, or old man Michaelson won’t be happy with you rubbing his merchandise all over your face.”

The voice was deep but soft, gently teasing. Tess turned and felt her heart jump involuntarily as she saw Eli Flint standing there, wearing the same white vest he had been last time they’d met. Tess was absurdly happy to see him, but tried her very hardest not to show it.

“Mr Flint,” she said, trying to play it cool. “How is everything going at your job?”

He grinned at her.

“Is this some sort of secret inspection? Is the probation service tracking my every move, just to make sure I keep my nose clean?”

Tess felt her cheeks grow warm in spite of herself.

“Actually I’m here dealing with another case. Why, is there something you’d like to tell me, Mr Flint?”

Tess had meant it as a joke, but she saw something flit across his face at her words before he caught himself. Uncertainty, or fear perhaps? Whatever it was, it was gone as fast as it had arrived, replaced by that same easy-going smile.

“Nothing to report, ma’am. I’ll be sure to let you know if I get myself into any mischief, though.”

Tess studied him for a few moments.

“You make sure you do that, Eli.”

He nodded at her, before turning away, going back to whatever it had been that he was doing before she’d arrived.

Tess stood for a few moments, bottle of water still clutched in her hand, while she considered what she’d seen. Eli had played it off like it was nothing, but she liked to think that she was a good reader of people, and
something
was definitely bothering him. Was it to do with his job, his family, or something else? Had he gotten himself caught up in something bad already?

Still deep in thought, she meandered to the checkout and paid for the water, swallowing a mouthful as she walked out the door. Dazzled by the bright sunlight as she emerged from the store, she didn’t see Eli Flint standing there and bumped into him, exclaiming in shock and spilling most of the water down herself.

“Oh God, I’m sorry,” he said, as he ineffectually tried to wipe the water off from Tess’ blouse. Then, as he suddenly realised what he was doing and where his hands were, his face turned a deep shade of red.

Tess looked up at him, not knowing whether to be amused or angry. She decided to go with the first.

“So first you drench me, then you try and touch me up, Mr Flint? We’ve only known each other a short while,
and
I’m your probation officer. I think we ought to pump the breaks a little here, huh?”

Eli looked mortified, and started to stammer out an apology before Tess smiled at him and waved away his apologies.

“Aww, I’m just yankin’ your chain, Eli. It’s only a little water, don’t worry about it.”

She looked down at her sodden blouse, and then it was her turn to grow embarrassed as she realised that white cotton blouses and water weren’t the best combination. She looked up at Eli, who was doing his best to look anywhere except for at her.

“Why were you standing in the doorway like that anyway, Eli?”

He shuffled a little on the spot, looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable.

“Well, I was going to ask you if you wanted to grab a bite to eat or something, Miss Bailey.”

Before she could object, he pressed on.

“Not like a date, nothing like that, just so we can talk, y’know?”

Tess looked at her watch. She had so much work she needed to get on with, and it was probably a terrible idea to meet with Eli in anything except strictly professional circumstances…but what the hell. She’d come out all this way, and nobody needed to know she hadn’t
exactly
followed protocol.

“Sure, I’d like that, Eli. Do you have somewhere in mind?”

He blinked, as if he hadn’t actually expected Tess to agree to his proposal.

“Well, uh, sure…there’s a great little diner just down the road. We can walk there, it’ll only take a minute or two.”

He’d regained his composure, and a smile played across his lips.

“The walk might give your shirt enough time to dry off. Wouldn’t want you to cause a scandal now, would we Miss Bailey?”

Tess laughed in spite of herself.

“No, we wouldn’t Mr Flint. Well then, lead the way.”

The diner wasn’t far, but it felt like it in the oppressive desert heat. Tess’ blouse dried almost immediately in the scorching dry air, but the sticky sheen of sweat that replaced it was even worse. Eli didn’t seem to be bothered by it at all, although his sun-bronzed skin told of how much time he must have spent out here in the hot desert sun.

They finally reached the diner, Eli holding open the door for Tess who sighed in relief as the cool blast of the air conditioner washed over her. She stood for a few seconds at the entrance in bliss, turning shyly as she heard Eli laughing softly behind her.

“Let me guess,” he said. “You spend most of your time in your office.”

Tess raised an eyebrow at him.

“You don’t get skin as pale as mine standing out in the California sun, Eli. Besides, who would want to? I feel like I’ve shrivelled up just from that three minute walk.”

A mischievous glint entered Eli’s soft eyes as he looked Tess up and down, but whatever he was going to say he evidently thought better of.

“C’mon,” he said. “Let’s go find somewhere to sit.”

Tess followed him and slid into a worn, comfortable booth that had obviously seen lots of use over the years. She took a moment to glance around the diner. It looked like it hadn’t changed in decades – it was every inch the classic 50’s diner. Even the waitresses were wearing the stereotypical pink checkered dress, white aprons and those little hats. Tess had to smile at the unabashed Americana.

One of the waitresses came over, notepad in hand, and beamed a smile at the two of them.

“Hey there Eli, not every day you come in here with a pretty lady like this.”

She leaned down and whispered conspiratorially into Tess’ ear, loud enough so that Eli could hear.

“You watch out for him, Miss. He might seem like a perfect gentleman, but it’s all an act.”

Tess laughed.

“Is that so, Eli?”

He rolled his eyes.

“Well, you needn’t worry Miss, because Eli and I are here in a strictly professional capacity.”

Now it was the waitress’ turn to laugh.

“Eli, professional? That’ll be the day.”

Eli was frowning good-naturedly at the waitress, who flipped open her notebook.

“OK, so what can I get you
professionals
?”

Eli didn’t even look at the menu.

“Steak and eggs for me, Kath. How about you, Tess?”

Tess thought for a moment.

“I’ll have the same, actually. Thanks.”

“Comin’ right up. I’ll leave you two to it, I’m sure you have lots of business stuff to talk about, right?”

The waitress laughed at her own bad joke and hustled off toward the kitchen. When she was gone, Tess smiled at Eli.

“Come here often, do you?”

“From time to time,” he smirked. “She’s just kidding with you. I’m a sad and lonely man, and I never bring women here. You might just be the first one.”

“I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”

They made small talk for a while as they waited for their food, but Tess could always sense that there was something that Eli wanted to say but was avoiding. In moments of silence a distant look would cross his face, only to disappear once the two of them began talking again. Eventually, just after their plates of food had been delivered, she decided to press him a little.

“So, why did you invite me here today, Eli? Just for the pleasure of my company?”

He shrugged.

“Sure. Why, do I need a better reason than that? Don’t beat yourself up, you’re not
that
bad company.”

“Gee thanks. But seriously, Eli, are you sure there’s nothing else you want to tell me about?”

His body language changed. He crossed his arms and there was a slight frown creasing his brows. He leaned back in his seat and exhaled.

“There’s nothing. I just thought it would be polite to ask you to come to lunch with me. No ulterior motive. Nothing. Can we leave it there?”

His tone of voice made it clear that he didn’t want to take the conversation any further. Tess sighed, and cut off a piece of steak.

“Sure. I didn’t mean anything by it, just trying to be friendly.”

He didn’t respond to this, and the two of them sat in uncomfortable silence for the rest of the meal. Tess was surer than ever that there was something bothering him, but if he wanted to talk about it, it would be in his own time. It wasn’t the first time she’d met a man for whom that was true, and she very much doubted that Eli would be the last.

After they had finished their food, Eli insisted on picking up the bill despite Tess’ protestations, and then they went back out into the baking desert heat. They walked together back to where her car was parked, but still in silence. Tess wanted to say something, to apologise for prying, but she didn’t know how Eli would react if she broached the topic again.

They came to a stop next to her car, and Eli turned to face her.

“Hey, Tess, I’m sorry…for being an asshole back there. I ruined your lunch.”

Tess looked up at him, shading her eyes with her hand to stop herself being dazzled by the bright sunlight.

“Don’t worry about it, Eli. I didn’t mean to pry. And anyway, lunch was great. The food was good, just like you said.”

He smiled wanly.

“Well, you drive safe now, Miss Bailey. I’ll see you at my next meeting?”

“You sure will, Eli. Take care of yourself.”

He nodded and watched her get into the car, and stood watching as she drove away. Tess kept sight of him in her rear-view mirror until she was out of sight, and he didn’t move from the spot, an inscrutable expression on his face.

As she started the long drive back to the city, Tess wondered just what he’d gotten himself into.

As it turned out, it wouldn’t be too long until she was intimately acquainted with Eli Flint’s problems…more intimately than she could ever have wished for.

*****