Page 33 of Sin Bin Bully

Sam stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. He stalks around the table, each step measured and deliberate. My heart races as he approaches, torn between fear and a traitorous spark of attraction.

He stops beside me, looming over my seated form. His hand comes to rest on the back of my chair, fingers brushing against my shoulder. "And what would you give me in return for this... kindness?"

I look up at him, meeting his intense gaze. "What do you want?"

A slow, predatory smile spreads across his face. "Oh, little dancer. I think you know exactly what I want."

"Anything," I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll give you anything. Please, Sam."

My hands tremble as I reach for him, fingers grazing his arm. The muscles beneath his skin tense at my touch. I can feel my heart pounding, threatening to burst from my chest.

Sam's eyes darken, a predatory gleam flickering in their depths. For a moment, I think he'll refuse, but then his expression softens ever so slightly.

"Fine," he growls, fishing his phone from his pocket. "But don't forget this debt, little dancer."

I nod frantically, snatching the phone from his outstretched hand. My fingers shake as I punch in my grandmother's number, praying someone will answer.

The line rings once, twice, three times. I hold my breath, willing someone to pick up.

"Hello?" Avery's voice crackles through the speaker.

"Avery!" I gasp, relief flooding through me. "It's Kim." Taking a deep breath, I try to calm myself. "I'm sorry I haven't been around. How are you? Is Zander with you?"

"Kim? Where the hell have you been?" There's an edge to his voice that sets my teeth on edge.

"I'm... I can't explain right now. Just tell me you're both alright."

"Yeah, we're fine. Both in school. Grandma's doing her best, but..." He trails off, and I can hear the unspoken weight in his words.

My stomach twists. "But what, Avery? What's going on?"

There's a long pause, and I can picture him chewing his lip, debating whether to tell me. "It's Nathan," he finally says. "He's moved into Mom and Dad's old place."

The blood drains from my face. I grip the phone tighter, knuckles turning white. "What's he doing there?"

"What do you think?" Avery's voice is bitter. "Running his 'business.' Place is crawling with dealers and junkies. It's bad, Kim. Real bad."

My free hand clenches into a fist, nails digging into my palm. I want to scream, to cry, to punch something. Instead, I take a deep breath, forcing my voice to remain steady.

"How bad?" I force myself to ask.

"He's…" He blows out a breath. "I heard he's using your relationship to that hockey team to get more buyers."

I grip the phone tighter, my knuckles turning white. "What do you mean, Avery? How's Nathan doing that?"

Avery sighs heavily on the other end. "He's been bragging to everyone that his sister's an ice girl for the team. Says he's got connections now."

My stomach drops. "Connections? What kind of connections?"

"The kind that gets you big-time customers," Avery says, his voice low and bitter. "He's been telling people he can get them the good stuff, the same stuff the players use."

I feel like I've been punched in the gut. "That's bullshit. The team doesn't?—"

"I know that," Avery cuts me off. "But these rich assholes buying from him don't. They just hear 'NHL' and think it's some kind of stamp of quality."

My free hand clenches into a fist. I want to scream, to throw something, but I'm acutely aware of Sam's presence behind me. "How long has this been going on?"

"A couple weeks now. Ever since you disappeared," Avery says. There's an accusation in his tone that cuts deep.

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