Page 117 of Destined To Fall

“I’m sure you think that, but alas, you have nothing I want. I have no need for clients or money.”

“That may be true for you, but what about Max?”

“What about him?”

Now the panic is really kicking in.

“I’m fine, thanks.” But it comes out weakly, showing just how much he’s freaking out.

“So you didn’t just lose everything? Hadn’t been working up to this and hoping for the big payout?”

“There is no amount of money you could offer that would make me leave here tonight with you.”

“Five hundred grand.”

Max chokes, and I pause. I goddamn pause.

“I will give you, or Max—your choice—five hundred thousand dollars, in cash, if you walk out of here with me.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Vivienne! You can’t seriously be thinking—”

“There’s no catch. You leave here tonight with me, as mine—”

“For tonight only.”

“For tonight only. And Max walks out with the cash.”

“In one piece.”

He laughs.“Yes, in one piece. So, what do you say?”

Fuck.

“She says no way.”

“Max.”

“No. You are not doing this for me.”

“Of course I am.”

“Excellent.” The exhilaration in Daniel’s eyes makes me sick. He nods, and one of his men heads to the cash machine.

“Hold it.” Skeeze’s patience slips and a jolt of fear hits me.“I have always been one hundred and ten percent clean, and I plan to stay that way. Proof of a clean bill of health is a strict requirement for me. I doubt you can produce one.”

A satisfied sneer replaces the scowl.“You would be wrong. Again.”

Douche snaps his fingers twice, and a goon produces a cell. I watch, unsure of what outcome I’m hoping for as he unlocks the phone and swipes a few times, then holds it out for me. Stepping forward, I take it and look. Dated six weeks ago, from the same place I use, is a full, clean bill of health.

Shit.

“Why do you have this?”

There is a possibility it’s fake, but why would he need one?

“Ah…” Color stains his sallow cheeks, and alarm bells go off.“I had a rash.”

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