Page 47 of Clinch'd

The copper tang of blood coated my tongue and when I licked my lips, I confirmed I must have bitten through the skin when I fell. It was no match for the terror beating through me though when I glanced up with a whimper.

Only to meet the eyes of Suit’s goon who looked me over with disapproval and growled, “I told you not to move.”

It was a sad testament to my situation when I was relieved that my fucking attacker was the muscle for a mafia enforcer.

“Get up,” he grunted, grabbing my arm, and pulling me to my feet.

Dazed, I followed as he pushed me down the alley and through to the other side where a dark car sat. I reared back as a new fear overtook me because I didn’t want to fucking die, and this could very well be the end.

“Stop,” Goon said roughly, and I subsided, exhaling a shuddering breath as the door opened and I was shoved inside.

No surprise, Suit was waiting for me. His weird ass stare, combined with his ticking jaw sent a shiver down my spine. Glancing away, I prayed I made it through this conversation. What the fuck was I thinking straying from the plan?

I was going to die and for what? A dick who was fucking someone else while I cowered in this asshole’s car?

“Castinetti is displeased by your progress,” Suit said, raising his brows.

“I—“

“You should be tucked under his arm right now,” he barked.

Flinching I whispered, “I am. I was, but he’s suspicious.”

“Suspicious of what?” he said, looking me over rudely. “You’re a fucking bitch with holes. Suck him off like a vacuum.”

Clenching my jaw against the rage trembling on my tongue, I said tightly, “He doesn’t keep women around after he fucks them.”

“That’s not my problem. You think this is a game?” he snarled, leaning forward so quickly I gasped and pulled away in my seat.

“N-no,” I said, my pulse jumping painfully.

He sighed and leaned back, steepling his fingers as he looked at me consideringly. Sweat slid down my spine, while I awaited my death sentence.

Surely this was it. I was going to die.

Sadly, the only person who would notice that I was gone was Lorri. I’d spent so much time focusing on survival that I had no meaningful relationships beyond her, and it was a lonely feeling to be sure.

“Please,” I said, licking my lips. “I’ll do anything. Please…”

“Hm,” Suit said, smiling but the emotion didn't reach his glacial eyes.

“Please,” I whispered.

“Very well, you have seven days.”

With that, he nodded his head to the door, and I stumbled from the car with a whimper, watching blankly as the sleek vehicle drove away.

Once it was gone, I wiped my nose on my sleeve like a complete child and trudged into the lobby. My head was pounding and my lip pulsing, but I ignored it all as I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for my floor.

As the doors moved, Cooper stepped up and our eyes locked before his nostrils flared. With a cold as fuck smile, I waited until they closed before glancing in the mirrored wall.

My hair was a rat's nest around my head. My makeup was halfway down my face and my lip was bleeding once more. Licking the blood away, I shuddered. The time for games wasover, and now I had to fight for my life because nobody else was going to.

Now, I’m lying in my bed as the pounding starts up again. Rolling over with a whimper, I rub my aching head before stalking to the door and glancing through the peephole.

Of course, it’s Cooper standing outside with a fierce frown. I’m not ready to take this next level. My head fucking hurts and I’m feeling demoralized.

I begged a criminal to give me another chance and the knowledge of my pathetic response sits on my chest like a boulder.

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