Page 462 of Hate Mates

“Sold?”

“Yeah, or did you stick it all up your own nose?”

His head shakes again as his trembling fingers lift the cigarette to his lips. He sucks in a drag and shakily blows the smoke through his parted lips. I lean forward planting my elbows on my knees and wait for his answer. When he doesn’t reply, I nod at Carl and Stuart. They take an arm each and pin him to the back of the couch.

“What are you doing? You don’t have to do this, Boss.”

“Too late. I asked you a fucking question Gabriel, and you didn’t answer me. Tell me, is there anyone that wants your sorry ass to live? Anyone that might miss you? Because right now, I’m ready to put this little problem to bed.” Gabriel quickly nods again, “Or maybe I should make this easier for you to answer,” I take the knife from Stuart. The light hits the steel and gleams from the blade, making Gabriel’s eyes widen. “Is there anyone that would give a fucking shit about you?”

I press the tip of the blade to the dip in his neck, putting pressure on it until it’s pressing against his skin. I’m ready to slice him open right now. “Please, Boss” He begs like a little bitch. “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you, I swear, ju...just don’t kill me, p...please?”

“Get his cell.”

While Stuart pins him by the arms, Carl checks his clothes and finds his phone. As I power it on, messages pop up. One after the other I glance at them. But when I see the name Ari, it gets my attention. Could it be a coincidence that this is the same brunette beauty as the one I met tonight? It’s not a common name after all.I drag my furious gaze from the messages to the water leaking from Gabriel’s eyes and snot running from his nose as he stutters.

“We can trade.”That didn’t take long.

Loosening my grip on the handle, I wait. “Tell me, Gabriel. What on earth does a little fucking rat like you have, that I could even possibly want.”

“The girl you were with earlier…”

Now that does spike my attention. I ease the pressure on the knife. “Go on.”

“Her name’s Aria.”

“And?” I take more pressure off the blade,

“She's my girlfriend.”

I press the blade back against his throat, “Are you fucking lying to me? Because if you are…”

“I swear to you.” His head shakes frantically, “She’s my girlfriend.” I almost let him go for putting on such a show as I laugh out loud. “I swear, I didn’t even know she was coming here.” He lifts his chin in a show of confidence. “She never fucking goes out usually,”

I study him for a moment. “What the fuck does that woman see in a junkie cunt like you?” He shrugs but his wild gaze doesn’t leave mine. Usually, I can smell them, but I’m not sure this time. “So, what exactly are you proposing?” My voice is level and firm.

“Ari in exchange for the coke and money I owe you.”

My head cocks to the side as I begin to make sense of what he’s offering. “So, you’ll give up that hot little number to repay your debt? Am I hearing this right?”

I shake my head in disbelief and turn to Carl. Maybe he has the answer, he shrugs his shoulders though, so I turn back to Gabriel. “Is that what you’re saying?” I ask again just to make sure.

“I need more coke and I need protection, I’m in trouble…”

“You mean other than with me?” Gabriel nods.

A laugh bursts from my lips. Is he fucking serious? I mean I don’t mind taking Aria off his hands. “Okay,” I nod still chuckling, “you have a deal. But, when I say the deal is over, we’re done. You get me?”

“What do you mean?” The tremble in his voice is clear. He doesn’t realize what he’s got himself in to. There’s nothing like making a deal with the devil to make me happy.

“Exactly what I said. This is only over when I say it’s over.”

He nods, his fists tightening in his lap. I hand the knife back to Stuart, and turn to leave, but not before stepping up to Carl. “Sort him out, let him know we mean business.”

“Boss.”

I stride confidently towards the door. Gabriel’s breathless gasps and pitiful screams reach my ears as punches rain against his body, but being the sick bastard I am, I smile to myself as I leave the room.

Soon I’ll have a hot little brunette all for myself. And to make it that much sweeter, she’s a gift, all wrapped up for me to open.

---