Page 260 of Hate Mates

“And afterward, your debt is paid.”

Chapter Four

BRACKEN

Her jaw is nearly dropped to the tiled floor.

Of course it is. I’ve suggested something abhorrent in her mind. I mean, this is a woman who just called me “scum.”

But there’s something in her eyes, something besides the shock and fear. A spark of defiance there, a quick flash of indignation.

“You can’t be serious,” she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Deadly serious.” I lean against the door frame.

The look on her face is priceless—horror mixed with rebelliousness.

“That’s… I can’t… You can’t…”

“I can do whatever I please.” I take a step back toward her. “You said it yourself. You have no other choice.”

She blinks at me, her dark eyes wide and filled with something that looks dangerously close to hate. “This isn’t about choices. This is manipulation. And it’s wrong.”

I shrug nonchalantly, trying to hide the flicker of admiration that sparks within me at her fierce reaction. “You already hate me.”

“Which is why I could never?—”

“There’s a thin line between love and hate, sweetheart.” I narrow my gaze at her. “Care to teeter on the edge?”

She stares at me, her eyes burning with a mix of disgust and defiance. “I’d rather walk over hot coals.”

“Suit yourself.” I give her a grim smile. “But remember, this is your best chance to clear your debt.”

With that, I stride away from the bakery, leaving Rachel standing in the ruins of her once-thriving business.

Her courage impresses me. Not many people have the guts to stand up to someone like me. Normally when I come to collect from a woman and break a few things, she backs down immediately and says she’ll get the money. Not so with Rachel. But as admirable as her bravery is, it won’t solve her problems. It won’t settle her debt or fix her bakery.

As I make my way back to the car, I can’t help but turn around for one last look at her silhouette in the bakery’s doorway.

And there she is.

She followed me.

“Wait,” she says.

I raise my eyebrows. “Change your mind?”

She crosses her arms. “No. I mean…yes. I… I’ll do as you ask.” Her eyes soften. “I’ll take your indecent proposal. But I need it in writing.”

I roll my eyes. “Because what I’m asking for is legally binding. Right.”

She lets out a huff. “I just want to make sure my debt is paid.”

“Are you questioning my word?”

“No, I’m questioning your morals.” She looks me up and down. “Can you blame me? It’s not like you’re a boy scout. A contract will ensure we’re both kept honest.”

I study her for a moment. Rachel’s desperation is evident in the tremor of her voice. But there’s also a steely determination in her gaze, a defiance that challenges me to refuse this one condition.

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