Page 10 of Twisted Truths

“Watch me. She wants her money, or she wouldn’t have made an example of you last night. It’s not going to do her any good to kill me on sight.”

I sound more confident than I feel. There’s no way for me to know how Uma will react. I’ve never actually met the woman, though I’ve seen her at a distance when some of her goons came into the bar where I work and dragged someone off a bar stool in front of me. I never saw him again, something I push out of my mind the minute it flickers.

I had to call in sick at the law firm today to be here, and I plan to make it count even if my hand shakes when I reach the car door handle.

Bastion grips my arm before I can exit the car. “I should come with you.”

I give him a small smile and shake my head. “No, I’ll take this one.”

He smiles, and my heart warms because I haven’t seen him look at me like that since before I told him and Dad I wanted out. “It’s good to have you back on the team.”

I barely suppress an eyeroll and don’t mention that once this situation is fixed—if it can be fixed—I’m back on the bench.

As I get out of the car, my breath catches from the sensation of being watched. I have no doubt that Uma is already well aware of my visit. The cameras aren’t in obscure places, hidden from view. They’re in spots designed to make it abundantly clear we’re not alone.

I have no idea where her home is, but everyone around here knows where she runs her business. At least anyone with any kind of tie to the criminal world. So I approach the rundown warehouse she does business out of. When I reach the metal door on the side of the building, I knock, then step back, swallowing past the dryness in my throat.

The door creaks open, and a big burly guy with a shaved head and a scar down his face stands on the other side. He doesn’t say anything, just grunts and lifts his chin at me. I take it to mean he wants me to say who I am.

“I’m here to see Uma.” Though I do my best to project confidence, I’m not sure I succeed. I’m way out of my element but showing any kind of weakness to her would be a mistake. So I plan to walk in here with big dick energy I don’t actually feel and hope it gets me somewhere.

“She’s not expecting anyone.” He starts to shut the door, but I put my hand on it.

“I need to see her. It’s important.”

He gives me the once-over before jerking his head to the side. A gesture I take to mean come in. Whether it does or doesn’t, I step inside, and I’m no more than two steps from him when he brings me to a stop with a meaty hand on my elbow.

“You don’t go in until I pat you down.”

I glance down at my skintight short-sleeve shirt and leggings. Where the hell would I hide a weapon? But it’s probably not about making sure his boss is safe and more about the intimidation factor, so I spread my legs and hold my arms out from my sides. “Have at it.”

He starts at my ankles and works his way up my legs, making sure to pay extra attention to my ass and my breasts, but I don’t say anything. I merely suck in a breath, knowing full well this is all part of his plan to scare me.

When he’s finished, he grunts and walks forward. I assume he wants me to follow.

He leads me through the warehouse, but there’s not much to see. There’re a couple shipping containers and some other boxes, but nothing worth noting. When we arrive at an office in the back corner, he raps on the door, and a muffled, “Come in,” sounds from behind the door.

He swings it open, and I get my first close-up look at Uma Delvecchio. Her black hair hangs past her shoulders, and her dark eyes take me in with a hint of amusement. She props her legs up on the desk in front of her, crossing her ankles.

Unlike the rest of the place, her office has been decorated to the nines with a polished marble floor and sleek black furniture. It feels more fitting for the woman who’s studying me intently, wearing designer everything, than the rest of the warehouse.

“Ariana, to what do I owe the pleasure?” She arches a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

I step past the beast of a man, not sparing him a glance. “You know exactly why I’m here. Let’s not play games.” I sit in the chair across from her desk without waiting for the invitation.

Her eyes spark, and one corner of her mouth lifts. Her expression reminds me of a cat who’s found a new and entertaining mouse to play with.

“Nothing comes to mind.” She grins, looks at the guy still standing at the door, and nods.

He doesn’t say anything, and I hear the door close behind me.

Uma settles her eyes back on me. She’s intimidating. I can feel her sizing me up, looking for cracks in my armor.

I decide to get right down to the problem. No sense beating around the bush. “I want to know what I can do to get you to back off.”

“Well, that’s simple.” She holds her hand out in front of her, studying her cherry red nails. “Pay me my money.”

I hold her gaze. “You know that’s not possible.”

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