Hidden Truths, Burning Hearts

Going Behind Their Back

"Long time, Em. How've you been?" Jackson asked.
"I know. I'm doing well. Um I had a favour to ask you, Jackson."
"Only if you stop calling me that. Jack suited more from you, don't you think?" I could picture the smirk on his face from hearing him speak.
"Sure. Jack."

"Much better. No what can I do for you?"
"Um, can you run a name for me? Check backgrounds and stuff."
"Are you ok Em? You're not in any trouble are you?" I could feel the detective curiosity coming to surface.

"Yes. I'm perfectly safe. It's just a new client. He is purchasing some artworks. It's very costly. And we just want to make sure the money is legit." I hoped he wouldn't catch the lie. It was pretty convincing right?

"Wow. Ok. Give me the name and I'll run it by the system."
"Oh thanks Jack." I signed a breath of relief that he didn't suspect anything.
"His name in Ray Stevens"

"Come again?" He sounded like he was caught off guard.
"Ray Stevens? Ring any bells?" I asked as my confidence deflated.
"No. I'll check it and call you back." He sounded in a hurry.
"Ok then talk later." I said and he hung up without saying anything else. That was weird.

After I talked to Jackson I went to my study table and opened my laptop. I opened google and typed in the name Diamond Crown.
Several news articles came up. All about crime committed by their members. Drug trafficking and extortion, kidnapping, shootings with rival gangs and what not. I was in horror after seeing all these. Why would someone like Ray would ever be involved in this? I thought as I closed my laptop with a snap.

I was pacing my room back and forth when I got Jack's call. I dreaded talking to him at the same time wanted to know everything about Ray. I could've just ask him right now? But every time I tried he shut me down. What could I possibly do?

I received his call.
"Jack, hey."
"Hey Em. I ran the name as you asked."
"Did you find anything?" I closed my eyes shut as I prayed Ray's name would be clean.

"No. As far as I found out the man is clean." He said.
"What?" I think I heard him wrong.
"I said he's clean." He repeated.
I let out a sigh of relief and I ran my hand through my hair.

"You there?" He asked when I didn't say anything.
"Yeah yeah. I'm here. Thank you so much, Jack."
"Well only thanks is not gonna cut it. You owe me a coffee."
"Yeah sure. Whatever you want."
"Ok see ya later then."
"Bye."

I hung up as I sat on my bed and Leo jumped in beside me. I picked him up and cuddled him as I lay down on my back. I had a hell of a making up to do to Ray.
"What am I gonna do Leo?" I said to my cat and he just looked at me with his adorable cat eyes and mewed in reply.

I spent the day in the studio to clear my head a little. After I felt like I was ready to face Ray and confess what I did behind his back I texted him.

William //POV//

I was afraid being with Amelia was too good to be true. I was afraid she would back out. And then she called me to cancel our plans. I don't know why it hurt so much even though I had expected it. But she said it was work, it could be just that, right?

I've fallen so hard for her that any thoughts of parting with her makes my mind go crazy. I didn't know it was even possible for me to love someone so much. But being with me she was always at risk.

I had to do everything in my power to keep her safe. Cause if anything happens to her because of me, I won't be able to live with myself.

I thought as my hands gripped the stirring wheel so tightly that my knuckles were turning white. She said she would be going out. I had to make sure she was safe. So I called Carl.
"Are you outside her house?"
"Yes boss."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes. A girl came by in the morning. Other than that nothing. She's inside right now."
That must be just Chloe. I thought.

"She said she would be going out. Follow her discreetly. Make sure she reaches home safe."
"Sure thing, boss."
I hung up the phone with that. I reached the Diamond Crown pack house. Caine had called a meeting with all the members. In my years of working with them, I have yet to find out where Caine operates from. He never shows himself to anyone other than some high ranking gang members. Tim being one of them. He calls conference calls from his hideout every time. I don't know how long it would take me to earn his trust.
So I could finally put an end to it. Then I could be with Amelia without any of this shit going on.

The meeting was all about bringing in drugs through new ways in the city. Because police had found out their old methods. I wonder who's leaking all the information to them as I smiled to myself. I got out of the house and got into my car.
I called Carl to get an update on her.
"Carl, is everything going well?"
"Yes boss she hasn't left the house yet. I've been here all morning."
"Ok, I'll come by later."
"Ok boss."

I hung up the phone as my mood went sour. Did she lie about having to go to the gallery just to ditch me? The thought made my insides clench.

My other phone was vibrating hidden under the seat. I took it out. It was the Jackass calling.

I received it.
"I said I would call if I have any new information. Do you want to blow up the whole operation?" I asked him. I was already on edge about Amelia. The last thing I want is to put up with his bullshit.

"It's you who is compromising the operation." He spat from the other side.

"What the hell does that mean?" I was really getting annoyed now.

"We need to meet. Come at the safe house in an hour."
"Fine."

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A/N
What's Ray cooking?
Can you guess who's the Jackass is? 😂