Page 37 of Ready to Cash Out

“Mmm. If you’re taking requests, I like pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries.”

“Noted.”

Jupiter’s grip was too firm for Trev to consider making a break for it. He let Jupiter lead him back to the room and put the collar back on, being sure to pay attention to which pocket Jupiter put the key in.

He licked his lips once or twice, just to see how Jupiter’s eyes drifted. He also noticed Jupiter was wearing the same suit from last night. “Are you mad at me, sweetie? You didn’t come to bed last night.”

“I slept in the chair just fine.”

“That can’t be good for your back. Want a massage?”

“No. Sal and Emil are?—”

A door opened somewhere, and Emil called out, “Knock knock! Anybody home?”

Jupiter sighed, and his brow creased—with what?

Frustration? Annoyance?

Trev could certainly see how Emil could cause either of those, but that was interesting.

“Emil, watch the fuckin’ door,” Sal’s sterner voice snapped. “Jupiter!”

“Stay here and behave,” Jupiter warned Trev.

“So, a rain check on that massage?” Trev teased. “That’s fine. I’ll be here waiting.”

Jupiter rolled his eyes, but his smile had returned before he turned away to leave.

Sal and a man Trev hadn’t seen before came up to Jupiter before he made it out of the room. Sal gestured to the man beside him, saying, “Hey, Jupiter. This is our out of town talent. Just gimme a minute and we’re gonna go get you guys some food, all right? I gotta walk him through the operation real fast.”

The man was tall with thick eyebrows, and his mouth was far too big when he smiled. His gaze immediately settled on Trev, and his weird smile grew impossibly bigger. “Hey, how ya’ doin’?”

“I’m currently chained to a wall,” Trev drawled. “How the fuck do you think I’m doing, asshole?”

“Oh! Got a mouth on him, don’t he?” The man laughed.

“Ignore him,” Sal said. “He’s just here for a little side project.”

“I can dig it.” The man eyed Trev and then turned back to Sal. “Needs any help with it? I gots some experience watchin’ over real valuable property, high-class stuff, just like this. I’d be real happy to offer my services.”

Jupiter scowled.

“That won’t be necessary,” Sal replied, “but thank you. Jupiter is taking care of it until it’s time to finish up.”

“Aw, I hopes you don’t mean, you know, finish up, like—ugh.” The man stuck out his tongue and drew a line over his throat. “Because that would be just an awful fuckin’ waste?—”

“I can assure you that—” Sal tried to interrupt him, but his phone rang. “Just a moment. My apologies.” He stepped away to answer the phone, and judging by the door opening and shutting, had walked outside.

Which left the man alone here with Trev and Jupiter.

“Hi. Howell Hodges.” The man grinned at Trev. He hadn’t looked at Jupiter once. “What’s your name, babycakes?”

“My name is fuck you in the eye?—”

“None of your business,” Jupiter smoothly interjected.

Trev hadn’t been expecting that, and he blinked at Jupiter in surprise. He quickly recovered, adding, “Yeah, what he said.”

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