Page 20 of The Deal

Yes, this house is a dump and probably needs to be condemned, but I take offence to his words. Our furniture may be mismatched and minimal, but I keep the inside clean and tidy.

“I’m just calling it how I see it,Tesoro.”

How dare he. My hands move to my hips. “I am not your sweetheart, and I swear on everything holy, if you weren’t holding a gun to my father’s head right now, you’d have no teeth left in that filthy, smug mouth of yours.”

I hear somebody laugh from the other side of the room, and when I turn my head, I see another suit-clad twat, casually lounging back on the sofa with his arms folded behind his head and an ankle resting on his knee.

Shit, there are two of them.

I mildly entertained the idea of overpowering him if I got the chance. That’s not going to happen if he’s got backup.

“Antonio,” the dick snaps. “Go wait in the car.”

“Fuck,” the other guy mumbles under his breath as he stands and straightens his suit jacket. “Things were just starting to get interesting.”

I glance out the window and see the black limousine parked across the road and a few houses down. I didn’t even notice that when I got home. My suspicions would’ve been instantly aroused if I did.

This isn’t the type of neighbourhood where you find fancy cars. Unless they are stolen, of course.

“Now!” he bellows. And his sudden, unexpected outburst makes me flinch.

I can tell by the authority in his voice and the way twat number two jumps into action by doing as he’s told, that I’m left dealing with the ringmaster of this circus. It doesn’t stop him from giving me a cheeky wink as he passes, though.

Once the three of us are alone, he lowers his gun and turns his attention back to me.

“As I was saying earlier … your father and I have had a nice little chat, and since it’s obvious that you don’t have the means to repay his debt, I’m prepared to make a deal.”

If he insults my home again, I will remove my high heel and ram the spiky bit in his eyeball. I wiggle my toes in preparation, only to realise I’m barefoot.Damn it.

I decide to lead with sarcasm instead. “How kind of you,” I quip.

“If you value your father’s life” he retorts, scowling, “I’d lose that attitude quicksmart. I’m not known for my patience.”

“Or your humility, I gather.” This time, I catch the faintest lift at the corners of his mouth. “How much is the debt?”

“Over half a million.”

I gasp. “Dollars?” I screech.

“Yes, dollars.”

“Daddy, how could you?” He blows out a long breath, but I get no explanation. My eyes dart back to our captor. “Who in their right mind would even lend someone that kind of money without collateral? He has nothing to offer you.”

“His collateral was his life. He knew that going in.”

“He’s right, I did,” my father adds.

I shake my head in disbelief. He’s done some stupid things over the years, but this would hands down be hisworst.

“I’m gathering you don’t have that kind of money lying around, do you?”

The jewels.

“Actually,” I say, holding up a finger. “Hold that thought.”

When I turn to leave the room, he’s hot on my heels. “Where are you going?”

“I have to get something.”

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