Conflict Of Interest (11 page)

Evan’s POV

Chapter 18

I finally got Natalia to leave with her friends. I feel better and now I can concentrate on my job. I wait for the club to clear before sending the order in. My team and I are all ready to put all this to rest. We clear the streets and clear the venue.

There are some suspicious movements in the VIP area. I look in that direction in a discreet manner. I can see the guys that were in the office when I went in to see Frederic.

I nod over to Marissa as we walk out of the building. I hold my left hand to my ear and whisper, “It's time.” The whole team hears my order, but only one is allowed to answer. It was Michael. “Copy that.”

“Everyone, take your places. Seize will start in two minutes.”

As we are walking out, police cars come prowling down the empty street. A second car squeals around the corner behind the other cop car and everything goes to hell of a blink of an eye.

Out of nowhere, an army of men all dressed in black carrying shields briskly walks to the main entrance of Frederic’s Lounge. The whole building is surrounded now. Two helicopters from the sky brighten the scene with big spotlights.

A whole team of cops crouch outside the door with shotguns and machine pistols. Assault vests and helmets worn over civvies. Marissa and I are to one side. Paul, Mark, and Michael are on the other.

Paul and Mark wait for Michael's order to give the door several quick, powerful kicks. The call comes through and Mark splits the wood from the door and tears the hinges from the frame. It falls open. The team of cops surge into the office.

They break in the door to Frederic’s office and it makes a deafening bang as it opens. Men are barging inside and suddenly gunfire erupts.

Everything is done in seconds, having the best team of NYC helps get this job done quickly. No one is dead, but some are hurt. I hear over my ears that the mission was done as efficiently as possible for the safety of our men and the public.

Frederic and all of his team members are being escorted out by the swat team. The helicopters are finally making their departure. I check my phone and find a text from Natalia.

Nat: We are across the street.

They never left to go home. I take a look back and that’s when I see them on the opposite side of the chaos. I start walking across the street toward them.

“What are you guys still doing here?”

“We never left, obviously,” Alyssa sarcastically answers.

“I told you to leave.” I directly look at Natalia.

They get up from the ground and Natalia walks toward me. “What’s going on?”

“What’s going on with my uncle, Evan?” Alyssa asks as she walks over closer to me, Alex following closely behind her.

“Right now, I want you all to leave. I'll be with you all in a bit and I will explain.”

I lean over to Natalia’s ear to whisper, “Please go and I’ll be there soon.

“I want to know everything about my uncle, Evan. Like now. I need to know what's going on,” Alyssa says, cocking an attitude.

Alex grabs her hand, making her walk the other way to leave. Natalia follows. I walk back over to all the anarchy. I talk to some of my superiors, telling them I need to leave. I explain that I need to check on some people that were in there earlier tonight. Luckily, they let me leave.

30 minutes later, I am able to send a text to Natalia, letting her know that I am on my way to her.

I ring the doorbell twice, one right after the other. I hear footsteps and the door swings open, looking as though it was going to come off its hinges. I walk in, “How everyone’s doing?”

“How do you think I am doing?” Alyssa asks with malice. “Evan, you need to start talking.”

I look over at Alyssa; her eyes are dark and her face is full of fury. Alex is still seated with his elbows on his knees and hand covering his mouth. I look at Natalia and she is just confused.

“Evan, what happened tonight?” Alyssa demands as she hit the dining table. She was livid!

“To start, you need to calm down and I will tell you what you need to know,” I say firmly

“What happened tonight?” she asks again, a little bit calmer.

“Your uncle and the club have been watched by the police department of NYC for the last few months now. There have been activities of drugs, weapons, and prostitution. He is being investigated as we speak, it doesn't mean he is guilty, yet.”

I look over at Alyssa and her face changes to a more somber demeanor.

“If you or anyone of your family members wants to see him, I can help you with that as time goes by.”

“How did you know it was going to happen? You came and asked us to leave the club. Who are you?”

I say nothing to Alyssa, with all my concentration focused on Natalia.

Natalia turns to me. “You knew this all along didn’t you?”

Alyssa snatches her purse and runs out, Alex following behind her. Natalia and I are left alone. The apartment is silent and you can feel the tension building up. She turns her body toward me with worried eyes.

“Who are you?” she asks, looking straight into my eyes

“I am an FBI agent.”

Her eyes almost fly out of their eyes sockets as I walk toward her. She takes a step back.

“You are a cop, Evan?” she asks in disbelief.

“Yes, Natalia; I investigate cases and this one happens to be your best friend's uncle.” I reach out her, pulling her closer, but her body pulls back.

“You were using me to get information weren't you?” she yells at me.

I grip on her hand. “NO, I wasn’t. Listen to me.”

“Get out!” she yells back

“NO! You will listen to me first, and then I can leave if you want me to.”

Her eyes start watering. I reach over to dry her tear off her cheek, but she moves my hand away.

“Don’t cry, Natalia.”

“I am crying out of anger because my best friend is hurt. She thinks I lied to her, which I would never do. She is my best friend, the sister I never had, my family. When she is hurt, I hurt twice as much.” You lied to me Evan.

“I’m sorry. I was working that night I met you, the first night I saw you dancing by yourself on the dance floor alone. That night, I couldn't let you go without knowing your name. I stopped you before you left, remember?”

She nods her head and I dry her tear off her face.

“Why didn't you tell me the truth?” she is yelling with frustration.

“Because I couldn’t share this information with you. I was on duty. At first, I didn't know he was her uncle, but when I found that out, it would have been a conflict of interest. I needed to know you more. I want you and I wanted you for me and me only. I've never let go from the start. I feel this and I know you feel it, too. Can't you see that?”

She turned her eyes away from me. “Look at me with those beautiful blue eyes of yours.”

“Evan, I want to be alone.”

I walk to get closer to her.

“I need you to leave.”

“Why? I am trying to explain to you what is going on.”

“I still want you to leave.”

“Please understand me. I was doing my job. I am not prepared to risk losing you. I deserve a chance to be with the love of my life. I know you were made and sent for me.”

“Please leave now!”

So I leave with a saddened heart but I guess I have to give her space. I didn’t want to, but I did. She will need time and tomorrow will be another day.

Natalia’s POV

Chapter 19

I have to sit down a minute to recollect myself. It has been a crazy last couple hours or so. I can’t believe I just kicked him out. Maybe I overreacted but right now, I didn't want to see him. I felt sad and empty inside. I don’t want to think that maybe he used me for some information on the case. I mean, after all, Alyssa’s family is dysfunctional and it was only a matter of time before something bad like this happened.

I need to wash my face and sleep some of this alcohol off. Tomorrow I'll wake up in a better state of mind and head to my best friend’s house.

I hope she believes me that I didn’t know he was a cop.

My small apartment begins to fill with the aroma of an egg omelet and sausages frying and hissing in the pan. I still have yet to open my eyes as I lie here in bed. Who can be in my kitchen? I ask myself, as if I don't already know. That is such an Evan move and I wouldn't put it past him.

I throw my hands on my sides to lift myself off my bed to a sitting position. I collect myself before heading out of the room. I walk out of my room and stand in the kitchen doorway. I watch him and he looks tired yet composed.

It was a hell of a night for all of us and yet he still manages to look so yummy. He still has on his black dress pants with his loose belt and he is shirtless with his dress shirt thrown on the sofa. He definitely made himself comfortable before starting breakfast. I love the sight of him and that he is here unannounced. I’m still not sure if I am ready to talk. I need to fix things with Alyssa before anything.

“Good Morning,” he says, winking at me. He walks over and places a cup of coffee on the table. I rub my face and sit down to try to enjoy my coffee instead of going psycho on him.

“How did you get in?” I ask but at the same time, I don't even want to know. “Never mind, I'm not even going to ask that. Why the hell you are here?”

“I’m cooking breakfast for us, and then we are going to sit down and eat it.”

I run my fingers through my hair. Clearly, he does whatever he wants whenever he wants. He frustrates me. I give him an intense roll of my eyes. He just smirks.

“I have to go in a few so, I will have breakfast to go. My friend is a mess and I have to make it better.” I have my face inside the palm of my hands and my elbows on the table.

I look up and he is attentively listening to me, then hands me a plate of food. I grab it and throw it on the table. I get up, infuriated and grabbing my purse. I’m about to walk out, but he grabs my arm with a bit of force that my hair swings in the air as my body whips back toward him. It takes me by surprise and I look up to him with a look of what the fuck written all over my face.

“I don’t give up easily!” He stands strong while maintaining his hold on me

“Can you let me go?”

He slowly releases his grip. “So where are we going?”

“Evan, I have to do this now and by myself.”

“First, I want us to eat some breakfast, and then I will drive you over and drop you off.” He gives me an innocent half smile, and as much as I want to turn him down, I can't. Besides, I look like a ridiculous mad person walking around looking like this.

“Fine,” I say softly and he finally lets go completely of my arm. “By the way, don’t grab me like that again, Evan,” I say, rubbing my arm and walking away.

He captures me by my wrists and pulls me, this time against his chest. Feeling his bare skin with the tips of my finger ignites a fire in me. He kisses my forehead, and even with that simple kiss, I feel a burst of firecrackers beneath my skin.

“I want us to make it work,” he tells me, looking like he is begging.

I look at him and I reply, “So do I.”

He nods his head and we sit together to eat his mouth-watering breakfast. We begin to eat and I don't know if I was hungry, but these scrambled eggs are even better than they smell.

After swallowing my eggs, I ask, “So you know how to cook?”

He looks pleased with himself before he says, “I am glad you like it.” Then he puts his head back down, looking like a teenager getting up the nerve to talk to a girl for the first time.

I’ve never seen him like this before. He reaches over my right hand with his left, intertwining our fingers together and he keeps a hold on it. He lifts himself up off the chair just enough to lean over and kiss my lips in slow motion, he sits back down after the kiss and we giggle while looking at each other.

We finish breakfast and I pull my phone out from my pocket to send a text to Alyssa to meet up for lunch or I can come over to her house. She responds and agrees to meet up at her place. It is a relief to me. I need to fix us. Our friendship is more valuable than anything.

All dressed and ready to head out, our arms are wrapped around each other while sweet little kisses are being passed back and forth between us.

“I had an amazing morning, baby,” he says while softly kissing my lips.

“So did I.” I know there is nothing but pure sexual bliss still shining on my face and I couldn’t be more content.

We did have an amazing morning, his surprise breakfast, and some hot and satisfying sex in the shower. Sadly, it has to come to an end momentarily.

He grabs my hand as we walk out the door. The unfamiliar feeling of him showing his affection has longing surging through my body.

He helps me in the car, and then walks over to the driver’s side, sliding in. He turns the car on and the radio is deafening. He must have been jamming yesterday. The song “Latching On To You” by Disclosure is playing and we both started singing along to the lyrics. He finishes with a loud woooooo. I laugh, not being able to stop. I have never seen this side of him before. He is so carefree.

He turns over to me and says, “I dedicate that song to you, baby.”

I blush and he leans over to kiss me on my lips. We buckle ourselves in and he takes off into traffic, taking me to Alyssa’s apartment.

We drive, still listening to the radio and being silly with one another before I notice him pulling up to Alyssa’s apartment.

He parks the car and turns to me. “Call me later when you get home.”

“Okay, I will,” I said, kissing him once more and jump out of the car.

***********

As I am knocking on Alyssa’s door, it slowly opens and Alyssa in front of me.

“How are you doing?”

She shrugs her shoulders. “I am as good as I can be. I called my dad and told him the situation about my uncle. It was just a matter of time, you know.” She lowers her head with a frown.

“I’m sorry.” I just go straight to the point. “Please believe me when I tell you I didn't know he was a cop. I swear from the bottom of my heart I didn’t know. Shit, you know if I would have known you would have been the first person I would have told. That’s important shit not to share.” I lean my body closer to hers and place my hand on her arm. I want her to believe me. “I can’t lose you as a friend, not even a friend, a sister. I need you in my life to keep me from over thinking everything.”

“You know I have always thought of you as a sister, but I am so hurt. I don’t know what’s up or down. This whole situation is fucked up.”

“I know. Trust me, I know. I asked him several times what he did for a living and he kept saying he was a salesman. Now I get why he couldn’t tell me. He still isn’t telling me everything that is going on because of all the pending charges. I mean, really, Aly, your uncle has to be in some shit to be having an undercover FBI agent following him for this long.”

She looks up at me and wipes her tears away. “I get it. It just sucks to think that the only one person you thought was a hero is, in fact, just like his fucking sister. I never should have blown up on you like I did. I’m sorry for being a bitch.” She walks to the kitchen to pour us some orange juice.

I hug her tightly. “Babe, you had every single right to be upset and a bitch. You still do. Don’t apologize to me about it. I am the one needing to apologize and to let you know I will never leave your side.”

She pulls back and chuckles, “How about we both just be bitches?”

I laugh, “I love you, Aly.”

“I love you, too.”

“Now, we need to figure out what all is actually going on and see if your mom is involved, too.”

“We will, but for right now—” she holds her glass up, “—let’s drink to our friendship.”

Smiling, we touch glasses. “Yes.”

The rest of the afternoon, we don’t talk about the whole incident. We wanted to just savor our lives together as friends. We will figure the rest out eventually.