Chapter 6 Investigator scott

Before I could figure out where that familiar fragrance was coming from, a frantic knocking rattled the door, followed by my name.

"Maya! Maya!"

It was Ria. Quickly, I threw on my clothes and pulled open the door. The moment I stepped out, Ria grabbed my wrist with a trembling hand, her face pale with panic as she dragged me toward the secluded edge of the building.

"Maya... I ran a quick background check on Brian," she whispered out of breath. "Maya... did you fucking stab brian?!"

"What?!" I gasped, my voice cracking. "Are you out of your mind?!"

"Maya, he was stabbed! He was stabbed to death!" Ria hissed, her eyes wide with terror. "Thats what I just found out!"

I froze. The blood in my veins turned to ice.

"I gave him peanut butter," I stammered, shaking my head violently. "Thats the only thing I did! I gave him spiked juice and I ran! Are you really sure about this, Ria?!"

"I'm telling you what I heard!" Ria exhaled sharply. "Brian was stabbed to death at the exact location where you two last met!"

"Who could have done that?!" Panic seized my chest, making it hard to breathe. "I never touched a blade! Is he really dead?!"

"He's dead, Maya," Ria said softly. "The police are everywhere conducting an investigation. Whoever did it left zero evidence behind and they executed it so smoothly that the cops have nothing to go on."

"Fuck!" I slammed my fist against the wall. "I need to hire a private investigator..."

"Hello, ladies," a smooth voice interjected from behind us.

We both spun around in shock.

"Scott?!" I barked, my hands clenching into fists. "You again? What is so hard for you to understand when I tell you to stay the hell away from me?!"

"Hey, calm down," Scott said, holding up a trash bag in his hand. "I didn't mean to pry, but I happened to hear the word 'investigator' while I was walking out to take out my trash."

He took a step closer, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "In case you need one, I happen to be a licensed investigator back in my city and here in London, too. I can show you my credentials if you don't believe me."

I scoffed bitterly. "I don't need a damn thing from you, Scott! The only thing I need is for you to stay far away from me! Whatever happened between us at the hotel was because I was drunk!"

Scott let out a low chuckle. "It didn't seem like that because you were so damn fucking mean to me that night. You were screaming on me to hit harder so loud that even when I was exhausted, you..."

Before he could finish, I lunged forward, grabbed him by the collar, and slammed him against the fence.

"Stay away from me, Scott!" I growled into his face. "Stay far away from my family! I am a happily married woman!"

Scott tapped his cheek playfully, completely unbothered as though he sensed the lies in my voice. "If you say so. But if you change your mind, you know where I live. I love my job, and for you? I won't even charge my usual fee."

He turned to walk away.

"Wait..." I called out.

Ria immediately grabbed my arm, leaning into my ear. "What are you doing, Maya? Are you insane?!"

I brushed her hand off and stepped toward Scott. "I don't trust you, Scott, but I don't have a choice. If you take this case, it's on one condition: I am involved in every single step of the investigation."

"Works for me," Scott smiled, stepping dangerously close. "So... you want to be my partner?"

His hand slithered around my waist, pulling me against his broad chest. My spine trembled, a sharp shock running through my body as my gaze dropped to his bare skin beneath his unbuttoned shirt. I swallowed hard.

Panicking, I shoved him off me.

"Maya!"

Clint's voice echoed from down the pathway. I instantly scrambled away from Scott before Clint could round the corner.

When Clint finally reached me, he grabbed my hands, searching my pale face. "Are you okay, darling?"

"I should be asking you that," I muttered, pulling my hands back.

"Well... your mother just hung up with me," Clint said casually. "Shes paying us a visit."

"What?!" I yelled, making Clint step back in surprise. "Why is Mother coming here, Clint?! Why didn't she tell me?! Why hasn't she been picking up my calls?!"

"You should ask your sister, Maya!" Clint snapped, his eyes darkening. "Don't blame me for everything!"

He turned on his heel and marched back toward the main house. I stood frozen in the yard, anger surging through my chest as my breathing turned shallow and heavy.