25. Nat

My apartment normally feels cozy but today, I don't want to be here. I look around and decide I'm better off at the office, surrounded by people.

I should have been there an hour ago but called in to say I had a migraine and would be late. Not a lie. I do have a splitting headache, mostly caused by stress from waking up in Max's apartment again.

He cooked me breakfast, dried my wet clothes, and insisted on driving me home. I'm beginning to think he likes taking care of me.

From the way he smiles with genuine pleasure when I eat his food and doesn't think twice about rescuing me when I'm in danger, the man clearly has a White Knight complex. Which doesn't add up at all.

Nothing about that man makes sense. My instincts tell me he's lying to me. Anyone who says they run an import-export business is hiding something. Then there's the issue of what happened to the guy he beat up last night. I may have been in shock at the time, but I do remember the private ambulance taking him away.

No way was that legit. Not when the paramedics answered to Max.

Honestly, I have no clue what's going on.

Max could be connected to the mayor, or worse, Uriov. The thought of Max being involved in the horrible website Mickey found makes me feel ill.

But I can't think about it now. I have work to do. The second USB drive Margana gave me is burning a hole in my pocket and I'd rather look at the contents at work, where it feels safer.

So I grab my stuff and head out the door.

Just as I arrive at the office, Max texts me.

Dinner tonight at La Rose. 7 PM.

I read it twice. It sounds more like an order than a request.

No. Busy.

No you're not. Be there or I'll find you.

Seriously? Is he fucking stalking me?

Cursing under my breath, I toss my phone in my desk drawer where I don't have to look at it. I don't have time for his bullshit.

Three hours later, I'm desperate for more coffee and carbs. My head hurts from staring at my screen and the omelet I ate at Max's place has long since been digested.

The emails on the drive are as vague as the last lot. There are lots of mentions of cargo and acquisitions, but nothing concrete. The only thing of interest is that the mayor mentions some real estate he's purchased.

I Googled the location and checked property listings in that area. The only one that matches the location is for a large agricultural property. Though why the mayor would want to buy a derelict farm I have no clue.

The property looks fairly run-down in the photos. There are various outbuildings and an old house that appears to have been empty for quite some time. The only real selling point it has is that it comes with several thousand acres of land, a wind turbine, and a drinking water well, which makes it self-sufficient.

I make a note of the address and decide to check it out in the next week. It's a fair distance away so I'd need a full day to go there. I don't like the idea of driving all that way on my own, but I can't ask anyone to come with me.

Just as I'm checking my diary to see what's coming up, our group chat pings.

Jane: Drinks later? *wine glass* emojis.

Me: Can't. Dinner date.

Jane: WITH WHO!!!!!

Me: …

Jane: You better spill or I'm coming over right now!

Amanda: *face with raised eyebrow* emoji

Me: Hot guy from last weekend…

Jane: *eggplant* emoji.

I shut down the chat. Despite what Jane thinks, I'm not sleeping with the guy. For starters, he's shady as fuck, and second, it's too risky getting involved with anyone. Not while I'm investigating the mayor and danger seems to be following me around. Sure, Max can handle himself, but I'd rather keep him in the friend zone.

Amanda: Be safe and let us know how it goes.

The ‘be safe' message is a bucket of cold water. My friends know exactly what I went through with Rick. I love that they're concerned about me, but it's a timely reminder that I can't be trusted to pick up on red flags like normal women.

Me: Drinks tomorrow night.

Jane: Can't wait *winking face with tongue* emoji

Amanda: *face blowing a kiss* emoji