Page 17 of Bound

Shaking my head, I put my glasses on and got to work with the mundane paperwork.

“I heard congratulations are in order?”

It was Raphael, who was Jose’s arms dealer. He was coming to collect his last payment.

“Yes. My fiancée is six months pregnant, and I have a daughter I didn’t know about.” Normally, I didn’t talk about my personal business with clients. But Raphael and I went way back so I knew I could trust him.

“That’s messed up you didn’t know about your daughter.”

“Yeah. But it’s all good now. You here for your last payment?”

“Yeah, man. Thanks for putting me in contact with another client.”

“Sure. You know I wouldn’t pay you and then leave you hanging. It was the least I could do since Jose is dead and you did me a big favor.”

“I’m just glad it was a quick dealing because I didn’t need my head chopped off for denying to work with him.”

I handed him the stack of money. Taking it, he placed it in his jacket pocket. “It was nice doing business with you,” he added.

“You, too. And Raphael…”

He turned. “Yeah?”

“I’m going legit from here on out.”

“Sure, Damon.”

“I’m serious. I have a family I have to take care of and I don’t want to put any one’s life in danger.”

“Okay. I’ll put the word out if anyone asks.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll see you around.”

He cocked a grin. “Hopefully, you won’t.”

That was true.

And to top everything off, I was no longer providing drugs for the club goers. I ended that business deal the other day. We ended things amicable, and he was well compensated for doing me that favor about Jose. How ever my club goers got their drugs was their business now.

Today was the official day I was starting my legit business. I didn’t need the government taking me down and I didn’t need to deal with any more bad dudes. I had a family to be concerned about.

After another hour of work, I was ready to leave.

Chapter Eleven

KARA

We were winding down for the evening and Rose and I were sitting on the couch. We were watching some animated movie calledAntz. I thought it was disgusting because I hate bugs. But Rose loved it. Damon was arriving home late tonight. So, us girls were by ourselves.

Rose fell asleep, so I turned the movie off and covered her up with a blanket. I was about to go make some tea when my phone buzzed. Thinking it was Damon, I quickly looked at it. I realized it wasn’t him. Seeing the text, it was like a punch in the gut.

I showed you the evidence. Now you can give me a hundred thousand dollars to keep quiet. And do not tell your boyfriend. We will meet one week from today. I will text you the location later.

Who are you?I asked again.

You will find out soon enough.

My heart thumped in my chest. I couldn’t breathe. How was I supposed to get a hundred thousand dollars? Especially without Damon knowing. I was beyond stressed out but at least they gave me a week. I would have to think of something.

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