Fatally Yours

Chapter 10

•INDIANA•

I didn't stop checking the rearview mirror the minute I entered downtown. Cops were patrolling the area every day, and if they even got a slight hint of suspicion from me and the truck, this whole thing would blow up in my face.

I kept driving while keeping an eye on my phone, waiting for Lee to call and direct me where to go next. I had no idea where I was headed, so I just drove around waiting for him to call.

I took the next left turn, and my heart dropped when I saw a police vehicle parked outside a liquor store. I slowly drove by and saw two officers exiting the store. One of them glanced at the truck, and I quickly looked away, trying to maintain a normal composure.

Fuck, this is too risky.

Why on earth would they make me drive to downtown, knowing there's a high chance I'd be stopped by cops just for suspicious activity or for driving an unregistered vehicle, which I'm pretty sure this car is.

I glanced at the rearview mirror again and saw the two cops getting into their vehicle without sparing me another glance. I exhaled a small sigh of relief. I didn't think they recognized me, and I didn't recognize them either.

They're probably rookies or cops from another police department.

My phone started ringing, and I jerked in surprise. I picked it up and saw it was Lee calling, so I immediately answered it.

"I'm in downtown already," I quickly informed him.

"I know, I can see that," he answered calmly, and I frowned in confusion.

I quickly looked around the car and then up at the rearview mirror, where I immediately spotted a small hidden camera attached to the top. I would've easily missed it if it weren't for the small red dot glowing inside.

He was watching me.

"Where do I go now?" I asked while looking directly at the camera.

"You missed the exit already. You have to turn back."

Crap!

I swerved the car to the side and started driving back in the opposite lane. I only realized my mistake after turning the car around and seeing the cop car from before, tailing me.

I made eye contact with the male officer in the passenger seat, and my heart dropped to my stomach.

"Shit," I mumbled under my breath.

"Is there a problem, Nova?" Lee asked, and my eyes snapped back to the camera on the rearview mirror.

"I think the cops are onto me." He chuckled, and I glared at the camera.

Oh, he thinks this is funny? Not only could I get screwed for driving around with a suspicious-looking oil barrel in the back of the truck, but my cover would be blown as well.

"What makes you think that?"

The cop siren went off behind me, and I glanced at the side mirror to see the same cop vehicle following close behind. I slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road.

I quickly ended the call. I couldn't risk letting Lee hear my conversation with the cops after this. He wouldn't be able to hear anything through the camera either, but he could still see what's going on. If there's a slight chance these officers recognize me, then it's a good thing I ended the call.

One of the cops strolled up to my side, and I slowly rolled the window down and greeted him with a smile.

"Morning, officer. Is there a problem?" I asked quickly.

"No ma'am, we're just doing a couple of routine rounds around the area. We've had a few calls this morning about suspicious activity, so we're making sure everyone's in the right place at the right time," he answered straightforwardly.

"Okay, how can I help?"

"Can I see your license and registration, please?"

Fuck.

None of those documents were with me. How the hell was I supposed to explain that to him?

A quick movement at the back suddenly caught my eye. I glanced at the rearview mirror and saw the other officer behind the truck, carefully inspecting the oil barrel.

I made a move toward the glovebox, slowly opening it, as if by some miracle my license and registration would be inside. To my absolute shock, they were actually there.

I frowned and pulled them out, briefly reading through the details before passing them to the cop outside my door. They weren't mine. At least, they weren't the fake ones the Feds had prepared for me.

These were fake too, and it was no doubt that Lee had put them there, knowing this would happen. I quickly glared at the hidden camera before looking back at the officer.

"I'll run these for you and be right back," he said, and I smiled and nodded.

I glanced at the other officer again, who was checking out the oil barrel, and saw him coming up to the passenger side, leaning down and looking in at me.

"Where are you headed, Miss?"

I quickly put on a smile. "Uh, just heading back to my father's workshop with some stuff."

His eyes stared into mine before glancing at the oil barrel.

"What's inside the oil barrel?" My heart almost stopped.

"Um... oil?"

"You know you're not supposed to be transporting that without proper delivery transportation. Whatever kind of oil it is, it could harm the environment or a human being if mishandled."

I smiled and nodded quickly.

"I understand, sir. It's just oil that my dad needs for his workshop. He fixes cars and machines, stuff like that."

He stared at me, and I quickly looked away, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. The other cop returned and handed me my license and registration.

"You're all good to go. Have a nice day, ma'am."

"You too, officers," I replied, shoving the items back in the glovebox and driving off.

My phone immediately rang, and I gritted my teeth in annoyance before answering.

"Well done, Nova. You handled that pretty well."

Wait, was that a test?

"You set everything up pretty well, too." He chuckled.

"Of course. I'm always one step ahead of everything."

I narrowed my eyes at the hidden camera, knowing he was smirking at me from behind it.

"What now?"

"Now, you finish what you're supposed to do. Take the next left and stop in front of the third house on the right, the one with the huge gate. Leave the car out front and go home. I'll keep you updated. Our birthday boy is expecting his present to be delivered. He'll come get it when he stops being so stubborn."

I did as he asked. I parked the car right in front of the house he described, and right when I got out, the call ended. I had no idea whose house this was, but I'd dig around later.

I hailed a cab and went back home. As thrilling as it all was, I still had a very bad feeling about what was inside that oil barrel.

But it's a good thing I passed Lee's test, even though he didn't say it was going to be one. As much as he radiates that alpha energy, he's definitely not the one in charge. But hopefully, he'll start trusting me enough to let me in on the big operations they run underground.

Then, I'll be one step closer to finding out who's really running the Valahia Syndicate from the shadows.