Page 30 of Dangerous Deceit

“Did you ask him yet?” Patrick asks. There’s a smoothness to his voice, like he’s actually satisfied for once, and I wonder if he’s already tried some Shabu-8.

“Here.” I grab the sample from my clutch, the one I stole from Kenzo’s pocket during the ceremony, and hand it to him. “Thought you and Uncle Jay would want this.”

I cross my fingers, hoping it gets Patrick off of my back, but he pockets it then strokes his fingers across my arm.

“But what about the business?” he asks, his salty breath billowing over my face. “I need to work soon, Vi. I can’t be sidelined for this long.”

I flex my fingers nervously. When Patrick isn’t involved in the jobs, he gets antsy and unpredictable. And from the day Uncle Jay secured my first date with Kenzo until now, he’s been begging for a way inside of the Shabu-8 trade.

I point to Ronin. “That guy basically threatened me if I betray the Endo-kai,” I whisper. “And you want me to get you into their drug business so you can steal meth from them?”

“No one’s going to kill you,” he laughs. “If someone tried, your husband would shoot the person’s dick off.”

“Isawmy husband shoot someone in the head!” I hiss. “If they find out I got you a job dealing when I knew you were going to steal, they’ll killbothof us.”

A moment passes, and the clink of chopsticks, forks, and knives clatter through the air, a second layer of noise to the classic rock music playing from the hidden speakers. I hold my breath and hope fervently that he understands.

Patrick runs a palm over his face. “Sorry,” he says. “It’s been a long day.”

Relief washes over me. He’s not going to pressure me then. “Thanks. Me too. It’s?—”

He pulls me directly behind the tree, using it to block anyone from seeing us. My heart races as I search for a way out so I don’t have to be alone with him any longer. Where’s Uncle Jay?

The desire to run flashes in my mind, but I can’t draw attention to us. I won’t put Patrick in jeopardy, even if he is a jerk. He and Uncle Jay are the only constants in my life, and one day, situations like this won’t matter.

“Did you hear that? I think Kenzo is calling me,” I say, changing the subject. “Maybe we should?—”

“You keep avoiding this,” he says, his words curt. His fingertips skim my arms, sending goosebumps across my skin. Blood flutters in my ears, and a memory flashes in my mind.

Lying down. The room spinning. Patrick looking down at me.

Patrick wants to teach you a few things,Uncle Jay whispered in my ear.I’ll make sure he’s gentle, sweetheart. Don’t worry.

Patrick smiles. My insides curdle, and I bite my tongue.

“You want to be good to me and Uncle Jay, don’t you, Vi?” Patrick asks softly, and it’s the constant reminder of how I owe my life to them that keeps him on top of me. Holding me down.Smothering me.

But we just have to make it through this job, then we won’t have to do this kind of thing anymore.

“Of course,” I say quietly.

“Then tonight, you’re going to suck your husband’s dick. You’re going to pretend like you don’t know what you’re doing at first.” He licks his lips, and my stomach churns. “Use your teeth. Just a little. Make it so hebelievesyou’ve never done it before.”

I keep my eyes off to the side, refusing to focus on him.

“Do you need me to teach you how?” he asks.

I briefly close my eyes and shake my head. “No.”

“All right. After he’s good and happy,that’swhen you ask to bring me in.”

A set of eyes land on us. Cherry’s brown irises, her eyelids circled with black liner, are fixed on me. As she adjusts the red robe on her shoulders, her eyes narrow with suspicion, but then her gaze flickers down, seeing my balled fist and Patrick stroking my bare arm. I internally plead for her to come over here, but she peers around, searching for someone or something.

I swallow a dry gulp. I steady myself, pulling myself out of those foggy memories before they cause me to spiral out of control.

This isn’t a lesson,I tell myself.This is just?—

“It’s easy, Vi. You can do it,” Patrick says. “And if you can’t pull it off, well…” My entire body freezes, and he leers. “I can teach you how to do it better next time.”

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