Page 23 of Devil's Den

“So, let me get this right. While I’m currently trying to keep your ass alive by belonging to one of the men you owed money to, rather than get your lazy ass to find a job, you decided to fill your time by creating a bigger debt. I’ve got no home to go to when all of this is over?” Beth asked. “You took everything.”

“Look, I know it sounds bad, but get me that money, and I promise I will make it up to you. I promise. I have proven, timeand time again, that I will take care of you.”

Beth was seething with rage. She felt ready to explode. Just as she was about to open her mouth to give him a piece of her mind, his cell phone rang.

“I’ve got to go. I’ll be waiting, Beth. You owe me.”

****

Arriving back at his VIP booth, he saw Beth was sitting, no drinks, but her arms were folded across her chest. He was very much aware of her brother’s shenanigans tonight. How he’d gotten a woman to start showing off her tits to Ryan. All the time, Rome had been waiting.

This was his job—to provide an opportunity for brother and sister to meet. He’d gotten a call from a cop, warning him that Ben Hunter was talking shit about him. Telling people he was invincible because Rome Hayes was on his side.

The only person keeping Ben alive right now was his sister.

He didn’t know what kind of delusion Ben was working on right now, but either way, this was a test for Beth. She looked up at him with a frown on her face.

“You’re back,” she said.

“Business took a little longer than I would have liked. Were you able to find the bathroom okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, yeah, it was fine.”

He gave her that opening.

The waitress was just in time with their drinks, a friendly smile, and off she went.

He handed Beth her orange juice as he took a sip of his whiskey. Rome always made sure he got the best, he didn’t shirk on quality. The whiskey was spicy, but not in a cheap way. This had been aged with grace.

“My brother was in the ladies’ room, waiting for me whenI was done,” Beth said.

Rome turned toward her. He figured she wouldn’t tell him, that her loyalty was to her brother and not him. Beth lifted her gaze to his, and he saw the tears in her eyes.

“He wants me to steal money from you. He … I’m sorry. I…” She looked around the room and the music was just a little too loud.

“Come on,” he said, taking hold of her hand. He led her toward the back of the nightclub, going through several doors, until he stepped into his office. The moment the door closed, silence assailed them.

“A soundproof office, I should have known you would have something like this,” she said.

“Only the best,” he said.

“Of course.” She chuckled. “That is what you have.”

He moved toward the desk and leaned against the front of it. “Talk.”

“I don’t know what he’s doing or what he’s been up to, but he mentioned losing the apartment. I can’t even believe he has done that. We don’t even own the place, but apparently if someone wants to rent, then it can be some kind of collateral, I guess. I don’t get it. It’s a shitty apartment.” She cried out. “He makes me so mad! I told him to get his shit together, and instead, he’s only made things worse, and now he wants me to steal from you.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what happened.”

Rome sighed.

Tears had started to fall down her face. The mascara she wore must be waterproof, as none of it had smudged while she cried.

“It’s pretty simple, I’ve been aware of your brother using my name as leverage to get into several places.”

“What?” Beth asked. “What kind of places?”

“Gambling. Anywhere you can place a bet is where you can find him.”

She shook her head. “No, that is insane.” She began to pace.

---