Page 99 of Paid In Full

“I can assist you over here. Tell me exactly what you’re looking for.”

“It’s a gift.” I pulled out my phone to show him what I’d been looking up. His shop specialized in custom attire, and I wanted it to fit perfectly.

“Would you happen to have measurements?”

“No, sorry. I didn’t think about that.” My shoulders slipped as disappointment slid down my spine.

“Is it possible to ask this person to take a picture next to a quarter?”

It couldn’t hurt to ask. “One second.” I grabbed my phone and sent Giancarlo a message.

Me: Send a picture of your hands next to a quarter.

Gin: Who the fuck has a quarter

Me: Gin, please.

The picture came through a second later, and I handed it over to the clerk. He looked the phone over. He placed a quarter on the screen and zoomed in until the picture lined up. Nodding, he took multiple measurements before handing the phone back to me.

“I should have them ready in two weeks.”

“Perfect.”

The clerk smiled and brought a few colors for me to look at. I knew instantly which one would match Giancarlo. I didn’t hesitate as I pointed to the one I wanted.

“Good selection, sir.” The clerk grabbed the book and wrote down my order. “There is an embroidery option.”

I chewed my lip. Embroidery was nice, but in the case of the police ever getting ahold of them, I didn’t want anything to lead back to Giancarlo. I shook my head before a thought occurred to me. “Yes, can you put this on the inside?”

Puppy!I wrote the word on the slip, and the clerk took it.

“Would you like for them to be delivered or picked up?”

“Delivered, please.”

The clerk nodded. As he rang me up, I jotted down my address for the delivery. I had more than enough money to pay for the gloves and the express option.

Gin: When are you coming home?

I smiled at the message.

Me: Miss me?

Gin: Miss that fat ass dick.

I hurriedly buried my phone as the clerk came back. My face was hot and no doubt redder than a tomato. If he noticed, he said nothing. Thank goodness. My phone buzzed in my pocket again, and I was reluctant to pull it out. Knowing Giancarlo, it would be another insane message. Or a dick pic.

Gin: Come home already.

Me: I’m on my way back now.

I finished everything up and left with a pep in my step. I’d purchased Giancarlo a gift, and he was at home waiting for me. My life couldn’t get any better. I hoped he liked his present. His knuckles were steadily being torn up. Yeah, he said he used Silvy, but from all the injuries and what I witnessed, he used his fists more.Probably to keep from damaging the damn hammer.

The fine hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention, and I stopped moving. I could feel eyes on me. I looked around, but I didn’t see anyone at first. Three men stood out as they moved toward me. I swore I’d seen them before.

The time I was left at Gin’s place came to mind, and I briskly walked to the crosswalk. I slapped the button repeatedly, knowing it didn’t make it go any faster. Still, I needed something to do. The moment the walk symbol came on, I jogged across the street. I didn’t stop moving as I glanced over my shoulder. They were still there.

Fuck.I reached for my phone to call Giancarlo. Not looking where I was going, I ran right into another body.

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