Page 19 of Savannah Royals
“Was there something you wanted?” Damien asked, dragging his eyes away from the game.
“You owe us money. For tonight’s job, and the one last week.”
Damien laughed. “It’s a privilege to work for the Magpies, kid. Run a few more jobs, then we’ll talk payment and moving up the ranks. You haven’t done shit yet.”
“We’re not looking to move up the ranks. We’re independent contractors.” Paul stayed firm. “And we deserve to be paid for our work. No one in your little band of misfits could’ve done what we did tonight, and you know it.”
Paul!I inhaled sharply, my heart jumping into my throat.
Damien dropped his cards on the table and rose. His form was lithe, his fingers long. I didn’t like the hungry gleam in his eye. I reached my right hand out subtly, twining my fingers into the back of Paul’s shirt, cautioning him.
“You’re what? Eighteen, kid?” Damien took a slinking step closer to us. “Have some respect, pay your dues.”
“With allduerespect,” Paul said, “we’re not leaving until we’ve been paid. You stiffed us once already, and we don’t work for free. It’s time to pay up.”
Damien’s two henchmen rose from their seats, flanking their leader.
“Kid, you ain’t gettin’ shit from me. And you’re starting to piss me off.”
“That makes two of us.” Paul's jaw ticked.
He snorted. “You got balls of steel, boy, I’ll give you that. But it takes a hell of a lot more than balls to make it in the bayou. Should I give you a little lesson, a little financial advice perhaps? Prices and costs…they can be tricky when you get into the big leagues.”
The henchman on the right flashed a leering smile and slowly cracked his knuckles.
Suddenly, Damien latched his glinting eyes on me. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
My mouth ran dry. Paul immediately stepped in front of me. Abe and Tony closed ranks.
Damien laughed and raised his hands. “We’re learning here, right? She’s a pretty little thing, isn’t she, kid?”
Paul remained silent. Tony’s hand grazed my wrist. When I looked down, three of his fingers lay flush on my skin.
Three.
“How much?” Damien probed.
“She’s not for sale.” Paul was quick.
“Everything is for sale, everyone has a price. Is she yours?”
One of Tony’s fingers disappeared.
Two.
Damien laughed again. “You need to learn how to hide your hand better. It’s written all over your face. She’s valuable to you. Therefore, she’s valuable tome. See how that works? She’s the price tonight.”
Tony removed another finger.
One.
“Take the girl."
Damien’s muscle lunged, but Paul was faster. As he ducked beneath them, the steel of his knife flashed. I screamed. Tony and Abe collided with the henchmen.
“Paul!”
My heart sank as he rammed Damien. They crashed to the floor. In one quick slide, the knife went in and out of the Magpie’s stomach. Paul sprang to his feet to help Abe subdue his attacker.
