Page 21 of Cash

“Go sit down.” Jules waved to the couch.

Brick made a face at the way the leather squeaked as he sat, and he held his glass out for Jules to pour more whiskey.

“I work for my family, and it’s my job to fix shit when things go wrong.” Jules sat beside him and tipped his glass back. He refilled it as he continued talking, pausing occasionally to sip. “Somebody stole somethin’ real important from us and then ran their little bitch ass back here to Raleigh to hide out. They’re gonna try to sell it. The guys who busted up into your place lookin’ for me? They work for that same little bitch, and they don’t want me to take back what got took.”

Brick thought of the text he saw last night. “So, you’re trying to get back whatever it is before it’s sold off?”

“Yup.” Jules was already on drink number three now. “They must have seen me over at your place and thought I was stayin’ there.”

“They didn’t think to check that before breaking in?”

“I dunno.” Jules shrugged. “They’re fuckin’ stupid.”

“Why can’t you just call the cops and tell them these guys stole from you?”

“Ain’t that simple. What they stole has to do with my family’s business, and it ain’t in our best interests to involve the law. You feel me?”

“You guys are criminals,” Brick blurted out.

“Something like that.” Jules actually grinned.

“What if I wanna call the cops? Right now?” Brick narrowed his eyes.

“Well.” Jules shrugged. “I’d be mighty appreciative if you didn’t do that. I did save your life, you know.”

“Yeah, from the guys that were there for you!” Brick snapped. “Okay, not that I’m ungrateful for the whole saving my life bit, but you’re the reason I’m in this shit.”

“I’m gonna handle it,” Jules said sternly. “All I need you to do is sit back, stay quiet, and I’ll take care of the shit they broke at your house.”

“What if they come back? Huh?”

“I’m gonna take care of it.” Jules put his hand on Brick’s shoulder. “All right?”

Brick stared at Jules’s hand for a moment, trying to ignore how the touch made his stomach flutter. He was in danger, real and incredible danger, and he still didn’t fully understand why. “I’m just supposed to trust you?”

“Yup.”

“Yeah, no.” Brick set his glass down. “That’s not gonna work for me.”

Jules laughed. “Want me to give you a customer service number so you can call and complain?”

“Hey, fuck you!” Brick glared. “This isn’t funny. People broke into my fuckin’ house and tried to kick the shit out of me because they were looking for you. Tell me the truth. What the hell is it that your family does, huh? What’s worth trying to kill you?”

“Damn, you’re feisty. I like it.”

“You’re not going to distract me. Answer the question.”

“You been in a lot of fights? ’Cause you sure handled yourself like one superb badass.”

“For fuck’s sake.” Brick was getting more frustrated. “Stop complimenting me. Yes, I’m badass and wonderful and I have great thighs, too, but you are seriously pissing me off.”

“I already got you in enough shit as it is.” Jules shook his head. “It’s better that you don’t know.”

“That is crap, and you know it. You might as well tell me.”

“Nope.” Jules slurped at his glass.

“If you don’t tell me, I’m not cooking for you ever again,” Brick threatened.

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