Within a few seconds, Chief Harrison comes out of the barn. His slow swagger is intentional—I know this about him. He’s not the type of man to bring unwanted attention to himself.
"Is everything okay?" I ask. It hasn’t been long since we last met.
In the entire time I’ve been undercover, this is the shortest gap between meetings.
He takes a drink from the Coke bottle in his hand. When he’s done, his eyes meet mine.
"I’m going to ask you a few questions, David, and I want you to be honest with me."
My heart pounds, and sweat pops out on my forehead. It’s not unusual, considering it’s July in Alabama, but the humidity is fucking stifling. My chest is heavy, and if I’m not mistaken, a panic attack might be starting. That can’t happen right now. I need to be the leader of the motorcycle club I’ve been for the last few years.
"Alright. You know I’m always honest with you."
"Are you?" he questions, setting his plastic bottle down at his feet. "Over the last couple of months, I’ve noticed you might be having a hard time separating undercover life from real life. Is that a problem for you? If it is, we’ll take you out."
Take me out?
Licking my dry lips, I nod. "Do you realize how hard that’s going to be now, boss? Dani will look for me."
He squints in the bright sunlight. "You’ve really fallen for her, haven’t you?"
"She’s my wife," my voice is hoarse.
Mason pins me with his stare. "She’s a means to an end. This was never supposed to be for real."
I roll my lips together, letting out a deep sigh. "But what if it is?"
This man—who I’ve respected since I came onto the Laurel Springs Police Department as an undercover agent—looks at me with disappointment.
"Derrick…”
My mind drifts back to the day I reported to LSPD.
"Hey, do you know where I can see Chief Harrison?" I ask the first person I see as I enter the Laurel Springs Police Department. The man I’m talking to has a dog with him.
"Sure, he’s in his office. Are you the new officer?"
"Yeah. David." I reach out my hand, offering to shake his. He takes it and nods.
"Ransom. Nice to meet you. He’s in here."
We come to a stop in a hallway, in front of an open door. Looking inside, I see a man younger than I expected with his feet on his desk and a phone to his ear. He motions for me to come in.
"Yeah, I know, Rina. If you think I need to have some officers at the ball game, I will. Chances are it’s a bunch of stupid hormonal teenagers who don’t know what to do with all that excess energy, but I’d rather be safe than sorry." He rolls his eyes, grinning at me. "Yeah, babe. I’ll see you when I get home. I’ve got a new officer in here today, so I gotta go."
When he’s done, he puts the phone on his desk.
"Sorry, my wife’s the principal over at Laurel Springs High School, and there’s a football game tonight. Apparently, there are rumors a fight’s going to break out, and she’s worried." He swings his legs off the desk and tucks them under. "That’s neither here nor there. Anyway, welcome to Laurel Springs. I take it you got in okay last night and settled?"
"Yeah. Thanks for the apartment and motorcycle."
"I hope it’s enough to get you into Saint’s Outlaws," he blows out a breath. "Do you have any questions for me?"
I lean forward. "Mind if we shut the door?" I’m beyond nervous. I’ve never been undercover like this before.
"Sure. Just know the man who’ll be your best friend will be here sometime this afternoon, too. I know it’s going to be weird for you two."
"Actually, we’ve been texting for a little while and meeting for dinner once a week the last six weeks. So, hopefully we don’t look too awkward."
