Page 22 of Blood Money

Vito whistled. “So you’ve gone soft.”

I snorted. “Tell that to Tommy Lorenzo.”

Vito chuckled. We’d left Lorenzo bloodied, bruised, missing several teeth, and realizing there was no way to escape us.

“So, if you’re really not into Liam,” Vito said, “I guess when we get back I’ll go find out how good he is at his job.”

“Only if you want to die.”

10

LIAM

When I very casually asked Tyler if he thought Val would be back in the club soon, he told me Val had gone to New York on business. I acted like I thought that was great. It should be. I wouldn’t have to worry about him slipping in and watching over me for the next few days.

I took on all the private clients I had time for while he was gone, but I still looked for him in the audience, even though I was sure I’d feel his eyes on me if he’d returned.

One night when I got home from work, an eviction notice was on my door. I had until noon the next day to get out, and I had nowhere to go.

I actually considered messaging Val. He’d given me his direct number in case I had trouble at Pound, though I wasn’t sure why he didn’t just tell me to talk to Trevor about any issues.

What would I say to him? That I needed to pay my rent before I could make that week’s payment to him?

No way was I going to suggest that.

Homeless was better than dead or in the hospital racking up even more bills.

Would Val really hurt you?

I wasn’t sure enough to gamble on it. I could tell him I needed a place to stay. But he’d made it clear I wasn’t going to stay with him, and while his family probably owned a number of buildings, I didn’t think he was going to give me an apartment rent free.

He bought you clothes.

Yes, but that was about image.

A dancer being on the streets doesn’t help the club’s image.

I picked up my phone and stared at it, but asking for more from the man I already owed was too much. Maybe I did have some pride left.

I logged into my bank account and checked my options, knowing they were slim to none. I stared at all the things I’d simply have to abandon, then I had an idea.

11

VALENTINO

“When is Liam working next?” Vito asked.

“Leave him alone.” I pulled out of a drive-through where we’d gotten burgers and soda to refuel us for the rest of the drive.

“But I want to see him. You can’t ban me from the club.”

“Yes, I can.” This was starting to feel like the longest drive of my life.

Vito shook his head. “You’ve really got it bad for him.”

I couldn’t leave him thinking that. “Liam opens tomorrow, or I guess now it’s today at five.” How was it already nearly 2 a.m.?

“You’ve memorized his schedule? I like that.”

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