“I’m working on it. I’ll have it for you in less than a month. Shit, come on.”

“You better have another two thousand for me by this afternoon, or I’m goin’ to make myself known.”

Great.

Mack paid me for last week today, but I only have one week . . . it isn’t enough to give him two thousand. Shit. I’m going to have to ask Mack for an advance, make something up.

“Fine, I’ll have it for you.”

“Meet me around the back of Costa’s at five p.m. Don’t be late.”

“Got it,” I mutter.

“And if you fuckin’ forget, I’ll pay a visit to your boyfriend.”

Then he hangs up.

I close my eyes, gathering my courage.

This is going to end badly; I can just feel it.

~*~*~*~

“Please,” I say, my eyes pleading. “I have a bill, and I need the extra.”

Mack crosses his arms, staring at me. “How do I know you’re not goin’ to bolt?”

“I’m not, I have money owing and . . .”

“If you have money owing,” he cuts me off, “why don’t you just pay it with the money I gave you?”

Shit.

“My bills are, ah, more than that.”

“Show me.”

I squeak, “What?”

“If I’m goin’ to give you extra money, you better show me the bills and make me believe that two grand is going into them.”

Oh, no.

Oh. No.

“I don’t have them here,” I begin.

“Well, sucks for you then.”

He turns and walks out.

Walks out.

I drop my head into my hands and groan. This isn’t happening. How am I supposed to go to Gregor with less than he wanted? Shit. Shit. Shit. I’m going to have to face him without the cash; I have no choice. Swallowing my fear down, I lift my phone and dial Santana.

“Hey chicky,” she answers, first ring.

“Hey Santana,” I swallow. “Could you watch Diesel for a few hours?”

“Sure, what’s going on?”

“I have an appointment. I don’t want to drag him along.”

“No problems, I’ll swing by. What time?”

I stare down at my watch. Shit.

“Could you come past now?”

It’s nearly four-thirty; he made sure I had very little time. Now I have no choice but to drain my bank account, and go to him with what I have. Which is $1752.50. Not enough.

“I’m on my way.”

Santana arrives ten minutes later. Diesel has just woken from his sleep, and is halfway through a bottle when she swings in. Mack is working out downstairs and I’m hoping he’ll stay down there until I’m out. He can ask questions later. I pass Diesel over, and Santana begins cooing right away.

“Are you okay?” she asks, looking up at me as I stare helplessly at my keys.

“Ah, yeah, I’m fine.” I straighten and turn to her. “I’ll see you soon.”

She gives me a suspicious look, but nods and says, “Okay, enjoy.”

I rush out before Mack comes out.

God, I don’t have a good feeling about this.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Gregor is standing in the deserted car park. The people have long gone, since the shop closed at four. It’s quiet, and it’s secluded. No one is around and that’s not a good thing. I get out of my car and hesitantly make my way towards him. His eyes scan over me as I near, and a small smirk plays around his lips.

“Well, I was wondering if you’d do a runner.”

I swallow down my fear and bring back my sass. “I said I’d pay you, Gregor, and I will.”

He tilts his head to the side, studying me. “And you’ve got my money?”

Shit.

“I couldn’t get all of it, but I have three quarters.”

His eyes harden instantly, and he steps forward. I step back.

“I said two thousand. I don’t mess the fuck around.”

Shivers run through me and my skin prickles.

“I don’t have two thousand, I’ve only been working a few weeks, and—”

He slaps me, so hard my head swings to the side. “And I only gave you two fuckin’ weeks to get it back to me. I’ve been generous, givin’ you longer, and all I am askin’ for is two thousand fuckin’ dollars.”

Tears burn under my eyelids.

“I know,” I croak. “But I don’t have it.”

A hard fist connects with my stomach, doubling me over in pain. I drop to my knees and he delivers a swift kick to my ribs, sending me to my back. An agonized scream is ripped from my throat as I land with a thump. He leans over me, his eyes wild. “You’ve got a week to get me four thousand; double what you owed me this week. You don’t? Next time we meet, it’ll be with me puttin’ a bullet in your brain.”

He reaches down, taking the money from my hands. He flicks through it, straightens and disappears.

Shit.

~*~*~*~

“Where’ve you been?”

I look up as I step through the front door. Mack, Maddox, and Santana are all sitting around the dining table. I’m trying to stand as straight as possible, but my stomach is turning in ways that are beginning to concern me.

“I had an appointment,” I say. My voice, God, it’s so obvious.

I’m right. Mack’s face scrunches and he narrows his eyes, getting up and walking towards me. I take a painful step back.