Page 53 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

He glances up. “Please enlighten me as to how you’re going to pay your debt. In full.”

“The detective. He can get me inside the house.” Regret boils inside me as the words escape my traitorous mouth. “If I can get him to take me back to the scene, I can get my hands on enough to pay you back.”

“Cash?” He strokes his jaw. “I have no patience for fencing stolen jewelry or trinkets. Cash only.”

“Yes, cash.” My conscience abandons me, leaving me to fend for myself. “Let me go, and I’ll have it to you by the end of next week.”

His expression pinches, as though he’s skeptical. “Why should I trust you?”

“Because you know me.” It takes all my effort not to flinch under his scrutiny. “I always pay my debts.”

The seconds stretch into hours.

Finally, he nods. “You have one week to bring me the money.” He traces a finger along my jaw. “If you fail, I’ll take what I’m owed from your body. You’ll belong to me.”

Fear wraps around my heart, constricting it. He’ll sell me off to the highest bidder. I’ll be well and truly fucked. He’ll do it too. There’s nothing he won’t do. Nothing is sacred. Not even our tenuous familial bond. I hate him.

He drops his hand and steps away. “One week, Quinn.”

I sag against the bonds as he retreats behind me. There’s a faint click followed by the murmur of voices.

A sack drops over my head, and the ropes around my hands and feet disappear.

“Any funny business, the boss said I can slit your throat.” A hoarse whisper accompanies the rough grip on my bicep.

I don’t fight him, even though I know he’s bluffing. My stepbrother needs the money, whether it’s cash or my body. He’d be pissed if either opportunity were wasted. I follow the goon’s lead.

The sounds of the shipping yard and traffic reach my ears. We’re still in Hell’s Kitchen, close to the water. They didn’t take me far. I don’t know how the hell they found me, but they did, and it means Grant is in danger now.

If I don’t give him what he wants, he’ll kill Grant and use me for his own financial gain. No matter how this plays out, it doesn’t end well. For anyone.

The goon throws me in a car and gives the driver an address. When we reach the destination, he pulls off the hood and I climb out of the car under my own power.

The neon glow of the bar’s sign lures me closer in the darkness. I turn but the car is gone. Standing in front of the Black Penny, I take a deep breath.

I thought there was something between me and Grant. I hoped there was. But this debt keeps drawing me back to the same old game. I can’t avoid it, but I can’t let them hurt Grant. The choice lies before me like a harrowing specter of death.

There’s no happy ending for someone like me. I should have known better than to try to go legit.

With a deep breath, I round the side of the building and pray the door is open. I can’t bear the thought of anyone seeing me like this. Not Claude. Especially not Grant.

Fortunately, the door is unlocked, and I climb the stairs, trying to figure out how I’m going to play this.

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