Page 3 of Merciful Lies

I want to slap my brother across the face for messing around with that group of criminals.

“I’m sorry, Anna. I need h-help. P-please,” he begs, dark brown eyes like my father’s peer up at me through swollen, broken skin.

My eyes are brown too, but they’re lighter. More whiskey than chocolate.

“H-how much does he owe?” I ask the stranger, knowing I will do whatever I can to help.

“Fifty-five,” he says.

I blink. Fifty-five dollars? That can’t be right. Then it hits me.

Oh my God!

“You owe the Vipers fifty-five thousand dollars!” I shout.

It’s not a question. My brother hangs his head, snot and tears rolling down his face as he sobs like the big baby he is.

“Oh, Sammy, why?”

“I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry! But you have to help me,” he begs, grabbing my shirt.

I gently remove his hands and turn to face the giant. His expression is stony. His mood is unreadable.

“I have seven thousand dollars in my savings account and another three in my checking, I can bring your boss both the day after tomorrow,” I tell him, knowing it’s a holiday and they won’t be open.

“Not good enough, sweetheart. Besides, your baby bro didn’t promise the king your money.”

“He didn’t?”

“No. He promised him you.”

CHAPTER TWO-ANNA

Fear slithers down my spine as I walk into the bar known as the Vipers’ Den. It’s dark and loud, and full of people.

I pause in my procession, my hand clutching my throat.

Damn.

I can’t breathe.

“Hey Angel, who’s the sacrifice?” a beautiful woman tending bar yells in our direction.

“Just tend the bar, Maria.”

His name is Angel. Hers is Maria.

I store the information away, assuming it will be useful someday. She is still staring daggers at me, and I have no idea what I did to offend her.

A large hand pushes between my shoulder blades, propelling me forward, and I continue to move.

“Down the stairs,” he growls, nodding at the guy sitting on a stool blocking the entryway.

My assumption is he’s some sort of security guard. He’s big and muscular, has almost as many tattoos as Angel over here, but really, what do I know?

There’s music blasting through speakers, and I’m surprised at how trendy the place is inside. I expected a dive, but it’s not that.

The ceilings are exposed, giving it that edgy industrial look, and everything seems made of steel or iron and wood. The vibe is strong, powerful and utterly masculine.

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