Page 27 of Dirty Ruck
"Someone suspicious," Frost added.
Divina raised a shapely eyebrow at him. "I thought that was what you meant." She smirked slightly, but he grinned and shrugged. Typical Frost.
She hummed and slid her gaze from him, back at me. "You know what she was like. She was friends with everyone. Everyone loved her. I don't think there's a person here who wouldn't have called her friend."
It was my turn to hum in response. She was right about that. We all adored her and, as far as I could remember, India gave everyone an equal amount of her time.
Divina would have seen a lot more than I did though. She practically lived here.
"Anyone in particular though?" I pressed. "Someone she was tight with? Someone working security? A customer even?"
Divina toyed with a huge ring on her finger. Silver with some kind of purple stone. I'd never seen her without it.
"If I had to suggest she was particularly close to anyone, I'd say Tina and Sierra. Tina left right after you did, but Sierra is still here. She's been guarded since India was killed. I mean, keeping her thoughts to herself, not literally guarded." She eyed the guys again. “But we've all been on edge."
In the corner of my eye, I saw Dallas look down toward the floor.
Quickly, I said, "I can't blame you. When things like that happen it's… Scary." I glanced around the space as subtly as I could.
Divina probably had more weapons in her office than the laptop that sat on the desk. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a gun in the top drawer, or a knife or two. She wouldn't hesitate to use them if she had to. Divina was as tough as they came. She had to be. If anyone around here was a badass, it was her.
She also had the biggest heart of anyone I ever met. The staff loved her for a reason. She took care of everyone like they werefamily. She was like a second mother to me. Or a wise aunt. If I could be half the woman when I was her age, I'd be doing very well for myself.
"Yeah, they are scary, and if Sierra is involved, she can hit the road," Divina said unapologetically. "I don't want any more of that shit here. The girls that work for me, I want to keep them safe. They shouldn't have to look over their shoulders all night, wondering if they'll be next. If Sierra is into some shit, or going to cause any trouble, she can get the hell out."
"Do you mind if I talk to her?" I asked. "She might not be involved in anything, but if we can get to the bottom of it, it'll put your mind at ease."
"I'm not sure I'd go that far, but you can try," Divina said. "Do me a favour and don't make a mess."
Frost was quick to say, "We won't."
Dallas slid him a look, but he didn't say anything.
Frost shrugged. "We really won't."
"You can find her in the changing area," Divina said. "Go and do whatever you have to do." She waved us away and stepped around her desk to sink into the chair. "I'll be busy here for a while."
In other words, whatever we did, she didn't know anything about it. She wouldn't take responsibility for it. She wasn't happy, but she wouldn't interfere either.
"Let's go," I said to the guys. "Thank you, Divina."
She opened her laptop and turned it on, giving me a small glance and nod before returning her attention to the screen.
As we stepped away, Jay said, "Are you sure she's not involved?"
"No," I admitted after a few moments thought. "I have to trust that she's not."
I didn't want to think she was working against us. People like her, they did whatever they had to do to cover their asses. She'd look out for her own interests before she looked out for ours.
I didn't blame her. I'd do the same thing. Iwasdoing the same thing. Confronting one of her employees could ultimately be bad for her business, but we had no choice. The fact she was letting us do it suggested to me she wasn't working against us. She wanted to stay the hell out of any trouble, that was all.
I hoped I was reading the situation right. Otherwise, we could be fucked.
"Are you okay?" I slipped my hand into Dallas' and glanced over into his troubled face. "Being back here can't be easy."
The first time we met here in Flirts was intense. He'd been disgusted at himself for being with me and stormed out of the room. Things certainly had changed since then.
Of course, the last time he was here, he took a life. This place must hold conflicting memories for him. Difficult ones.
