Custom Love by Chantal Fernando

Chapter Six

I cannot believe it and I’m watching with my own eyes.

“It’s a little too much of a coincidence, don’t you think?” Trade says.

“I have no idea,” I mutter, shocked at this turn of events. “What are the chances...?”

We park a few down from her and watch as she gets out of the car and heads inside, not a worry in the world. Why is she here? Is it just a coincidence and she wants to look at a motorcycle or something? There has to be a valid explanation.

“Maybe she knew we were following her and who we are so she came here to mess with us,” he says, eyes going wide.

“That’s pretty far-fetched even for me,” I laugh. “And that would mean she’s one step ahead of us, so I don’t really like that idea.”

“True. This definitely seems like a job where you need to stay one step ahead at all times.”

“Maybe I can pull her out the back and question her so she can’t run from me,” I think out loud, looking to Trade. “Manager approval?”

“Granted,” he replies, as we both get out of my car and walk toward the entrance.

Bronte smiles when she sees me, finishes up with her customer and then comes over. She looks confused as she notices Trade behind me. “Today is your off day—what are you doing here? Wait, did the two of you just walk in together?”

I didn’t even think how this would look, but I don’t have the time to clear that up right now. I can just imagine what my best friend is thinking. “I’ll explain later, but I need to talk to that woman who just walked in,” I say.

“Oh fuck,” Bronte whispers. “I’ll be back at my desk if you need me.”

“Thanks.”

I approach Taylor, who is standing in the corner eyeing a motorcycle helmet.

“Hi, can I help you with anything?” I say, making her jump. I hope she doesn’t actually ask me about motorcycles or helmets, ’cause I honestly don’t know anything.

“Oh, no, thank you. I’m just browsing,” she replies, stepping away from me.

“Okay, no worries,” I say, wondering which way to take this. “So I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?”

“Me?” she asks, picking up some leather gloves. “What about?”

“I’m the woman who called you, and who you hung up on,” I tell her. “If you don’t mind, I need to ask you some questions.”

She gives me her full attention, placing the gloves back down. “Did you follow me here? How did you know where I’d be?”

I’m about to explain that I’m actually here a fair bit when she calls out a name. And not just any name—it’s a name of someone we all know.

“Chains!”

I stop in my tracks and glance over at Trade and Bronte, who both appear as surprised as me. Chains comes out from the garage door, an oil-covered rag in his hands.

He looks confused as he sees me standing next to Taylor. “What is going on here?”

“I have no idea. Do you know her?” I ask.

I turn to Taylor, who smiles. “That’s my boyfriend.”

My eyes go to Chains. “Are you?”

Trade moves to my side. “Wait, this is the woman you’ve been seeing?”

Chains nods, looking a little sheepish. “Yeah, we just started seeing each other. Why?”

“I just wanted to ask her some questions is all.”

“About what?” Chains asks, sounding curious, not angry, but it’s not like I can tell him the truth with Trade right next to me. I look at Bronte, who winces; she must have realized the situation I’m in.

“It’s a private matter having to do with one of my clients,” I conclude, clearing my throat. “But I only have questions. I’m not the police. I’m just a private investigator.”

“I don’t have to answer any of your questions,” she replies.

Trade automatically steps even closer, his arm brushing mine.

“These people are my friends, Taylor,” Chains says, speaking calmly. “Why don’t you just chat with Nadia? It’s not like you have anything to hide, right?”

Taylor opens her mouth, then closes it. “Fine. What do you want to ask?”

Again, we are in front of everyone, Trade included, and now I don’t know what the fuck to do. If I mention Damon’s name, everyone is going to know who he is.

I’m about to ask her if she would step outside with me when Bronte saves the fucking day.

“Can I speak with you for a second?” she asks Trade, who nods and steps away with her. I hate the position I’ve put her in, but she always has my back.

I turn to Taylor, hoping she’ll make this easy for me.

“I know this is about Damon. Yes, we dated, but when he got arrested, I cut all ties with him and I have had nothing to do with him since then. That was months ago. I met Chains and moved on with my life.”

I can feel Chains’s eyes on me, but at least Trade isn’t here. I know I should have spoken to her in private, but maybe it won’t register. Maybe Chains won’t put two and two together.

“Do you think he did it?” I ask her plainly.

“I do, and the evidence proved that. He was found guilty. Why are you still holding on to this?”

I nod slowly. I don’t know if I believe her, but I let it go for now. “Okay, thank you. That’s all I wanted to ask you.”

She nods and looks over at Chains.

“Damon?” Chains asks her, brow furrowing.

So it didn’t click for him, but it sure as hell would have for Trade.

“My ex,” she replies, shrugging. “He’s in prison now.”

The two of them walk away, chatting between themselves, and I wonder how the hell I’m going to keep this act going.

I feel like such a fraud.

Bronte meets me halfway across the room. “Well, that was a plot twist I didn’t see coming.”

“Tell me about it. Trade mentioned that Chains was seeing someone, but did it have to be Damon’s ex-girlfriend?” I groan, stretching my neck from side to side. “Maybe I should just walk away. Tell Marisol that I couldn’t find anything.”

Bronte gives me a look. The one she normally gives me when she doesn’t believe what I’m saying. “Let me ask you something. If this wasn’t Ariel, would you continue to pursue this case?”

I think about her question and know the answer deep in my heart. “Yes. I don’t know if Damon did it, but I would try to find evidence to confirm it one way or the other.”

“Then there is your answer. You have to see this through, Nadia. I know you. You didn’t finish the police academy just to walk away for no reason. You turned to being a private investigator because you were after the truth, regardless of what the law said. You have to find out the truth.”

I give my best friend a hug. I needed to hear that. “You’re right. Thank you. And thanks for pulling Trade away as well. I didn’t know how I was going to get out of that one.”

“No problem.”

“Speaking of Trade...what’s the deal with him? He ran over to protect you from Chains, just in case he was going to take his girlfriend’s side. Please do explain. You guys came in here together?”

“Long story, but I ran into him in the shopping center parking lot when I was waiting for Taylor to come out. He kept me company and joined me on a car chase, and then we followed her here. I’m going to have to drop him off at his car now,” I explain, ignoring her wide-eyed reaction.

“That is quite the story,” she replies, sounding curious.

“We are friends,” I clarify.

“Yes, you are,” she answers, concern in her tone. “You are also both good looking and single, so I understand why you’d be interested—”

“It’s not like that.”

“But I just want you to be careful, all right? This is a complicated, delicate situation with him.”

“I know,” I agree. “And thank you. But really, we are just friends.”

She nods slowly. “Okay.”

“Anyway, it’s time for me to go,” I say, smiling at her. “I love you, goodbye.”

I ignore her eyes still on me, and go find Trade, who is chatting with Chains in the corner. “You ready to go?”

He nods. “Yeah.”

“Sorry for the drama with your new squeeze,” I say to Chains quietly.

His lip twitches. “No problem.”

Trade and I make a quick exit, and we both turn to look at each other as soon as we get into the car. “I can say I did not see that coming,” I admit.

“You and me both,” he replies, and our eyes lock and hold. “At least she wasn’t one step ahead of us.”

Us.

I haven’t been part of an us in a long time, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel good to hear it. But this is Trade, and he’s been through something traumatic. I refuse to let myself go down that road.

I break my thoughts by starting the engine.

He clears his throat. “I’ve been meaning to email you that information about Mila’s dad, too. But I had to speak to Izzy about it first, and I’ve been putting it off. Technically Ariel wanted Mila to go to Izzy, at least that’s what her old will said, but Mila wanted to stay with me and Izzy agreed. I’m worried she might not agree with me adopting her. Letting her live with me is one thing, but making it official and giving me all rights? I’m not so sure.”

“So what’s the deal with her biological father?” I ask.

“His name is Merve, and he’s a deadbeat. He hasn’t had anything to do with her since she was a baby, and even then I think he only saw her a few times. His name is on her birth certificate, though, and I’m hoping he will do what’s best for Mila and just sign over her rights. Except we have no idea where he is.”

“Okay, I can help you find him. And as for Izzy, just speak to her, I don’t see why she wouldn’t agree. You are Mila’s dad.”

He nods. “You’re right. And you know what? I really enjoyed today. My life has been nothing but kids and work and just taking it day by day, so it was really fucking refreshing to do something different. No matter how weird it turned out in the end.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” I laugh. “Welcome to another crazy day in the life of a private investigator.”

“Well, if you ever need a sidekick, give me a call,” he comments casually.

“You going to be the Robin to my Batman?” I tease.

“Something like that.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I smile so hard that it hurts my cheeks.

The weird thing is, I can’t remember the last time I did that.