Page 8 of Enforcing the Rules

“Well, good riddance, I say. That bum was nothing but trouble.”

“But Kate, that scary dude came to the motel before I left. He told me if Wes didn’t return with his money, he was coming back, and I’d better have it or else.”

“Or else what?”

“He threatened me, Kate. He said he’ll kill us all if he doesn’t get the money.”

“Kill us all? What are you talking about?”

“He knows about you and mom.”

“You told him?”

“I think Wes might have.”

“That son-of-a-bitch.” I took her by the arms and looked into my little sister’s eyes. I felt half responsible for how things had turned out for her. I rebelled as a teenager, and she followed my example. “Listen to me, Chloe. We need to go to the police.”

She shook her head, her curls bouncing. “You don’t go to the police on guys like him. He has a whole crew who works for him. And his brother is a terrifying dude. He said they’d turn me out on the streets to work it off.”

“Jesus Christ, Chloe.”

“What am I going to do?” Chloe cried.

“What’s this guy’s name?”

“I only know him by Ruiz. I think the brother is called Vega.”

I took her in my arms like I had since she was little. I always protected my baby sister. “We’ll figure it out. Okay?”

“Where am I going to get that kind of money? Do you think Mom has it?”

“She lives in an apartment over the café. She rents the café space. She doesn’t own anything to borrow against. Her car is crap. She’s barely making ends meet.”

“Do you have money?” Chloe asked.

“With the five hundred I just got, I have about thirteen hundred dollars, but that was supposed to go to rent and a car payment. Guess I’m about to get evicted.” I leaned against the desk.

“Kate, Ruiz said he’s coming back tonight, and I’d better have the first thousand as payment.”

“So nice of Wes to leave you holding the bag.” I folded my arms.

“I’m sorry. I was an idiot. What am I going to do? How will I ever get that kind of money?”

I stared at my computer. The skip Don talked about flashed in my head. “I might be able to get it.”

“Really? How?”

“Never mind how. I’m not even sure it will work. You need to lie low until I figure it out.”

“I’m afraid to go home.” She rubbed her upper arms.

“How much does this guy know about you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Can you stay at a friend’s house?”

“Maybe at Meridith’s.”

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