Ch 6 - Jamie’s Warning
1653 Words
Nadia POV:
"So I did it" I whisper as I sit down on the sofa, staring at the framed photo of my mother in front of me. "I finally did it. I know youd be upset that I've come back here..I mean I'm not sure how I feel about it either. But what I do know, is that for the sake of your memory, justice had began to be served. And its about time. I'm just sorry it didn't happen sooner."
Feeling a tear drip down my eye, I bring my wine glass to my lips before taking a long sip. "f**k" I exclaim softly as I let my head fall back on the sofa, my emotions becoming a tidal wave leaving my gasping for breath. Counting my breathing, I focus on the image of my mum laughing, the one I always use to centre myself when I feel the imposing sense of panic engulfing me.
My phone ringing nearby has me coming back to my senses quickly, rushing to answer it in thankful for the interruption. "Jamie" I say, running a hand through my bright locks which are now damp with perspiration.
"Hey boss" I hear his cheery voice exclaim down the phone. "How's everything going over there?'
"Good, good"I answer rather vaguely hoping my own voice holds steady. "Hows everything holding up your end?" I had left my company in his hands while I'm gone, my longest employee and now most trusted friend.
"Everything is running perfectly, don't worry Dia" he chuckles. "I've filed the reports for the last few days, but literally nothing out of the ordinary showing up, I just knew you'd want to know for peace of mind. I um..” he sighs, his voice holding a slight reluctance. “Something did happen though.”
"Oh..?" I ask, my nerves increasing dramatically once more.
"David came by today” he tells me simply making me groan loudly my head falling back in exasperation.
"Why won’t he just leave me alone. f**k sake" I exclaim frustratedly. “What did he want this time?"
"He wanted to speak to you about investing in the company, he was willing to increase his offer. He was rather insistent even when I informed him that you weren't interested no matter what the offer. When I told him no for the third time, he got rather angry and I had to request security escort him off of the premises, it’s all on our CCTV" Jamie tells me hestantly. “He did shout we would hear about this.”
"f*****g i***t" I exclaim. "I'm once more reminded of why I have such bad taste in men. Don’t worry Jamie, you did as I asked and he has absolutely no right behaving like that on my premises. Who does he think he is?!”
"Look, Dia...just be careful alright. That man has a lot of money, and I don't know if his obsession is with you, the company..or both. Why don't you come back where we can keep you safe?" Jamie asks with concern. “His behaviour the last few weeks is making me concerned, it’s unusual to say the least.”
"Am I safe there? Where he is?" I ask him seriously. As he hesitates I sigh, "exactly. A man with the resources he has, can be a threat wherever. He doesn't know I'm here, he's a problem I will have to think about so I can deal with him efficiently when I'm home."
"But are you safe there?" Jamie asks hesitantly, his awareness of my situation and the reasoning behind my trip making his concern for me understandable.
Blowing out a loud exhale, I nod slowly. "To be honest, after what I've just revealed. I'd say I'm in one of the safest places I could be."
"Will you tell them?" He asks tentatively.
"No" I answer immediately, before thinking it over. "Not yet anyway, I need to...to see what happens over the next few days. They know I've bought a house here, and if any of them go shouting that me, Nadia the Pres's daughter has returned, it wont be me they have to deal with. But I need to see what things are like around here, you know?"
"I know" he agrees softly. "Well look after yourself Dia, I'll be here. And if you need me to come out there, I'll be on the next fight, got it? Will you at least speak to Leo about it,his words carry weight...I would feel better knowing you're safe and that someone over there knows more of your goings on at home.”
"I will, although no one should be able to trace me here remember, I'm Alana not Nadia, yet it's Nadia who has returned. I flew to Vancouver, bought my truck and drove south here for a reason. Id be surprised if that news made it all the way over to London." I reply with a small smile to myself. I'd legally changed my name the first moment I could once I understood more on the dangers lurking from my past, now I'm thankful it's helping keep my whereabouts on the down low "thank you though Jamie."
"Anytime, I'll call you in the morning" he says quietly. "Love you babes."
"Love you too bubz" I chuckle. “Remember to only call this number when you need me. I don’t want my time off interrupted by anyone other than you.”
Hanging up, I look at my phone for a moment longer, a slight prickle of unease running through my body before standing up and heading to bed. Sleep was calling my name, and after todays events, everything else could wait.
***********************
Turning my truck off, I take my time looking round the full compound, glad that my eyes are hidden behind my dark sunglasses. Bikes are parked around the compound borders, with trucks and cars litterinng the remaining free space. A mixture of bikers, ol'ladies, kids and teens are milling around the entrance and the smell of BBQ is floating in the air showing the party is in full swing round back. Pursing my lips, I hesitate as my mood is not one that feels up for partying now. But with what Jamie told me yesterday, and the fact I want to see Leo, I square my shoulders and step out of my truck.
Checking I have all my things, I wipe my face of any lingering emotion, my body oozing a confidence I clearly don't feel inside. But this, this is what I've perfected. I've perfected a persona that gets me through the challenges of life, never once letting anyone see the weakness inside me, never relaxing too much. And that weakness you ask? Loneliness. But f**k it if I let anyone know that.
Shaking off my darkening thoughts, I slowly walk towards the entrance to round the back of the club house, where I can hear music floating on the air. Tilting my head to the sky, I breath deeply as the warm sun beats down on my quickly bronzing skin. Looking around, I see many eyes trained on me, uncertainty showing in their eyes as to approach me or not. Smiling at a prospect, a different one to the day previous, who was walking up to me nervously, I look at the bottle of white wine he has in his outstretched hand in silent offering.
"Thank you, this is just what I need" I tell him with a quiet chuckle as he relaxes and a grin stretches across his face.
"I was told you enjoyed your wine and to have it ready for if you decided to show up" he tells me in amusement. Opening the bottle, i smirk before taking a gulp straight from the bottle waving away the glass he has in his other hand. Seeing his eyes widen as approval rosses his face I laugh lightly.
"This bottle wont last long, what's the point in dirtying a glass" I wink making him laugh.
"I like that" he smirks.
"And your name prospect?" I ask politely as I keep my posture relaxed and friendly.
"I'm Liam miss" he replies.
Waving my hand once more I tell him "oh call me Nadia. I don't care for manners right now."
"Ok..Nadia" he smiles. "So, I know after yesterday you're probably wondering why we are still having a party. Well its family day, we didn't want to let the kiddos down" he explains quietly as my eyes take in the smiling children filling the back garden.
"You should never let children down, I understand" I tell him gently as a slight warmth fills me.
"I thought you would" he sighed looked uncomfortable.
"You dont need to be nervous around me Liam" I tell him softly. "I'm just a 28 year old woman who is here to enjoy a drink and catch up with some familiar faces, and meet the unfamiliar ones. I have no reason to have a problem with you."
"I know" he smiles. "I'm just not sure how our Pres will feel about it."
At the mention of my dad, my face hardens. "He doesn't have a f*****g option. If he says anything, then he'll have me to deal with, and well....that's his problem. Not the clubs."
Seeing his eyes widen at the anger in my tone, I force a smile before speaking again. "Perhaps you could point me in the direction of Leo? I have a feeling I should give him my truck keys now I have this wine in hand. Responsible and all" I add on with a playful eye roll. Following the prospect closely I can't help but glance around, the same prickle of unease trickling through me as I quickly rethink my comment about drinking more of the wine, the previous days conversation with Jamie back on my mind once more.
No one knows I’m here..right?
- Writer
