Page 46 of Beautiful Fiend

We don’t talk when we pick up my car. There’s nothing to pay because Ashley owed Caden a favor and I climb in my car without saying a word to him.

He grabs my door before I can shut it. “Don’t be late tonight. One a.m. at the meeting point. I won’t be there to convince them not to kill you if you fuck up, so you do everything as I told you. Bring me my money when it’s all done.”

“Sure,” I mumble as he lets go. I slam my door shut and drive back to NSC territory, feeling a hundred times lighter when I’m back on the streets I recognize.

10

BILLIE

Two Face - Jake Daniels, Omido

The hood makes my skin damp and sticky. I can feel my own breath in there and the way it staggers every time I hear a movement. There must be two or three of them going back and forth between my car and theirs. I can’t believe I’m in this situation. How many times is Caden going to make me do this? It’s the first without him, but I must admit I felt safer when he was in the passenger seat. It was easier to pretend nothing else was happening when I was busy focusing on his hand between my legs.

I couldn’t take Murder with me. What if they shoot her for barking at them? The Wolves spare no one. I hear the tap on my window and focus. As soon as I hear their car leaving, I take the hood off and exhale. This whole ordeal is fucking terrifying.

I start the car and drive to the other spot where I know I’m meant to meet the men who take whatever is in my trunk and turn it into money. I’m guessing they’re the buyers of whatever Caden is selling. Or another type of middleman who hides it while they wait to distribute the product.

Like last time, the guy disappears with my car and brings it back before leaving in another vehicle. The bag of cash is in my back seat and it’s time to bring it to Caden.

I get into my car and drive to Sawyer’s house. A cop car overtakes me on the way and my heart almost explodes. I might not have the product on me anymore, but I could never justify the amount of money I’ve got in my car.

I stop behind whoever is parked in Sawyer’s driveway and text Caden. I have to wait fifteen minutes for him to finally text back.

Caden: Bring it to my house.

Is he for fucking real?

Billie: Dick.

I start my car again, but someone is right there as I look in my mirror.

“Oh my god,” I startle with a loud gasp. Sawyer walks around and taps at my window.

“How we doin’ over here?” he asks lazily as I roll it down the slightest.

“Um, fine.”

“That my money in the back?”

His?

“I thought it was Caden’s,” I reply with as much calm as possible.

“Potato, pot-ah-to. It’s Kings’ money. Give it to me.” His voice is a little more violent. He hooks his fingers in the small gap in my window.

“Caden just told me to bring it over to his house.”

He smiles and lets go before stepping back and putting his hand up in a sign of innocence. “Must be a misunderstanding. Give it to him, then. I’ll make sure he and I are on the same page next time.”

I frown at him, my finger tapping against the wheel. It’s obvious he can’t be trusted. Apart from being a King, he also seems to want to fuck his own crew over. I start my car and pull out of his driveway.

I’m not sure if I should tell Caden that Sawyer tried to take the money. Maybe it’s all truly a misunderstanding, except the guy gives me all kinds of bad vibes.

By the time I get to his house, I conclude that this is a Kings problem. They can destroy themselves from the inside for all I care.

Caden’s house is noticeably busy when I park in front of it. He comes out quickly and barely acknowledges me when he grabs the bag.

“That’s a real good girl,” he mumbles to himself, peeking at the amount of cash. Somehow, even when he’s not addressing me directly, he manages to mock me. Once he’s done, he finally gives me the time of day. “Get out of the car.”

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