Page 70 of Virtue & Vengeance

My lips cracked when I spoke, and I licked at them, trying to soothe the burn.

“Until we get our money back,” Rodger said around a bite of his food.

“I don’t have your money.”

And I didn’t.

I had no idea who did, but there was no way we would ever find it.

“No, but you’re a way to get our money.”

“How?”

I had nothing, which meant I had nothing to give.

“Your boyfriend Zander is loaded.”

I wanted to scream.

Why was no one listening to me?

“I already told you, I’m nothing but a waitress to Mr. Hale.”

The bigger of the two, Winston, stared me down until I thought I was going to disappear. “This would be a whole lot quicker if you just told the truth. While we were out, we did some digging. Let’s just say, a few of your coworkers were more than forthcoming about your relationship with Zander.”

My breath stopped.

This wasn’t happening.

I tried to lie once again. “We slept together once, but the truth is Zander Hale couldn’t care less about me. I’m telling you, you’re wasting your time if you think he would pay even a dime for me.”

Winston stood and picked his gun up from the table beside him. “Then I guess we’ll just kill you and get it over with.”

The gun clicked, and he pointed it at me.

“Wait!” I said in a panicked rush. “There has to be another way.”

He dropped his arm to his side, the gun dangling from his hand, and he stood there a full minute before a cocky grin stretched his thin lips.

“I can think of a job or two we could have you do.”

I should have been relieved, but something told me the “job” he was referring to would make me wish for death

---