Page 9 of Solemn Vow

“How much?” I ask again.

“Well, without your help on the job I could be out twenty grand. So, we’ll say that. Twenty grand and I’ll consider terminating our relationship.”

“Twenty grand and you’ll destroy the photos,” I argue.

He taps his finger against his lips.

“Fine. I’ll destroy them. Twenty grand. Installments every two weeks, or all in one sum, you choose. I’m being overly generous here, Marlena. Because we have history.” He puts his hand on top of mine, and it takes every bit of energy in me not to jerk it away.

“I’ll see you in two weeks.” I slowly pull my hand out.

“Good. See you then. You call me if you change your mind, though.” He winks as I climb out of the booth.

“Feel free to hold your breath, Jimmy.” I tighten my scarf around my neck and get out of the diner as fast as I can without making it look like I’m running from him.

Once the cold air hits my face, I rush down the street. I need to get as far from him as I can. Two grand every two weeks, how can I come up with that much money so fast and still pay my rent and my bills?

I was only eighteen when Jimmy got pinched. What did he think I was going to be able to do about it? Break him out? Pay his bail? I had nothing.

His own uncle didn’t do anything to get him out.

And now he’ll keep coming at me until I break.

It’s happening all over again. I finally get something that’s mine, that’s good, and someone is threatening to take it away.

Air isn’t coming into my lungs. I stop, close my eyes. I inhale, slowly taking in the cold air, holding it for a beat and letting it back out.

I won’t let my dreams be taken from me.

I won’t.

When I can breathe again, I look up at the sky, willing the frustrated tears to not come. They come anyway.

I flick them away, gritting my teeth and stiffening my muscles. I will not stand on the street and lose control.

I have to find a way to fix this, to get the money, to get those pictures from him somehow. I suck in a deep breath again. The cold air burns my lungs just enough to take the edge off the impending breakdown.

“Marlena?” A deep voice, a concerned voice, intrudes on my panic.

I turn and again my breath is frozen.

Viktor looks down at me with concern mixed with irritation. “Marlena, what’s wrong? What are you doing here?”

“Viktor.”As if I needed any more complications today.

Right before me stands the monstrous man who is probably a little peeved that I managed to get home last night by myself. It took sneaking out while he was in the bathroom, but I’d gotten down to the street and on the bus before he could get down there.

“Are you hurt?” He grabs my chin, lifting it up and then to the side, checking for who knows what.

“I’m fine.” I swat his hands away. “Stop pawing at me. I’m fine.”

His expression darkens. “I don’t paw.” I think I’ve insulted the man. And I’m sure men have walked away with broken bones for doing less.

I take a step back, so I can look up at him without straining my neck.

“I’m not hurt. I’m just trying to catch the bus.” As if on cue, the CTA bus passes us. Melted snow sloshes up the curb onto the sidewalk as it does.

“You missed it.” He turns his head to watch the bus drive right past the stop.

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