Page 28 of Devious Secrets

“Volkov? Like the owner of Pulse?” Billy’s eyes widen.

Pulse is one of the clubs in my part of town that the Volkov family runs. It’s the least upscale of their businesses. A lot of the younger crowd hangs there because the booze is cheap, the bouncers ignore fake IDs, and street drugs flow like a chocolate fountain.

“Yes. That one.” Alexander puts on his charm, along with one of his business smiles, and straightens up. “I’m helping Megan with something, and when we stopped home tonight, we found the place like this. So, if you’d tell me who did it, I’d appreciate it.”

I try to catch Billy’s eye, but he’s a little enamored with the successful, charming Alexander Volkov and seems to have completely forgotten me altogether.

“Yeah, man, sure. I’d hoped they’d leave Megan and Mira alone by now, but when I was taking Grandma’s laundry downstairs, I ran into the same two guys that come by every month.” Billy shakes his head like it’s a big shame I’ve gotten myself into this mess.

Even though I’m not really the one who put me here. I’m just the one who remains stuck here.

“Billy—” I get cut off when Alexander’s hands rest on my shoulders again, closer to my throat this time. He squeezes hard enough to get the warning across.

“Same two men, huh? You have names?” Alexander asks all light and fluffy.

“Nah, never got their names. But they work for Marco DeAngelo, and it’s the same two every month.” He nods along like he’s helping Alexander and is proud to be part of some scheme to keep me safe.

“Marco DeAngelo?” His hands tighten even more. “I’ve heard of him.”

“Not a great guy.” Billy nods, then turns his gaze back to me. “Hey, I think I still have your vacuum. You want me to bring it down? I think you’re going to need it.”

“No, don’t worry about it. I have a cleaning crew on the way over,” Alexander says.

“Oh. Good. Okay.” Billy smiles.

“Thanks, Billy,” I say, starting to take a step forward, but Alexander’s grip won’t soften, so I put my foot back down.

“I’ll let you get to it. Let me know if you need anything. Good to meet you, Alexander.” Billy grins, then backs out of the apartment, still looking starstruck.

Billy shuts the door.

“Marco DeAngelo?” Alexander spins me around to face him.

I wish he hadn’t.

If possible, I swear flames burst in his eyes as he glares down at me.

“Alexander.” I lose my nerve to say anything after his name when he puts his hand up.

“Don’t.” He closes his eyes. “How much?”

“What?”

“How much do you owe the DeAngelo family?” The words are tight and clipped.

“Seventy-five thousand.” It might as well be a million with the interest rate they’re charging.

“How late are you on the last payment?”

“I only had half the money last month. Technically, I’m a month late on that half, but the regular payment isn’t due for another few days.” Mira didn’t send the money last month like she’d been doing for the past six months.

I slide back a step, but I don’t think I can get far enough away to escape his anger.

“Get your things.” He has his phone out again and is glaring at the screen. “One minute, Megan. You can go fucking naked for all I care, but we are leaving in one fucking minute.”

I hurry out of the living room, his words following me as I turn into my bedroom.

“Yeah. We have a problem.”

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