Savannah asked, “Are you sure it wasn’t an animal? I mean, it’s not like someone would traipse around our backyard at night.”
Catalina’s brows arched and her eyes filled with disbelief. “Yes, there is someone who would do that, which is the other reason I couldn’t call the cops.”
Instantly, Punc’s body strung tight. “Are you saying her stalker was out there?”
Confusion washed over Catalina’s features. “Stalker? Frank Darren isn’t a stalker. What the heck are you talking about?”
The rushing sound of blood filled his ears. He couldn’t have heard Catalina right because he knew Frank Darren was one of the worst street thugs in town.
He looked to Ava. “Did she say Frank Darren? On top of a stalker, you also have a low-level street thug after you?”
Savannah crossed her arms. “I don’t have a stalker. They’re online threats and harmless.”
“You’re being threatened?” Catalina asked, her tone loaded with concern and outrage.
Savannah’s face softened as she focused on her sister, and she gentled her tone. “It’s a trolling bot, most likely. Going viral on social media brings out all kinds of crazies.”
Catalina opened her mouth to speak, but Punc moved in front of Ava. “Tell me about Frank Darren. Now.”
“He isn’t a street-thug… he’s more of a private lender.”
Punc ground his molars together. “More like a loan shark, and he fucks people up who don’t pay him back… and that makes him a fucking thug. What does he want with you?”
A strange look stole over her for a moment before she doubled down on her stubborn resolve. “I have it handled.”
He took a breath. “Tell me anyway.”
She used that gentle tone with him. “I don’t understand why you’re mad at me. It isn’t really your business.”
His chin lowered an inch. “I’m making it my business. You work at Platinum’s. He fucks people up who owe him money, and it’ll be a cold day in hell before I see you get beaten again. Explain his involvement with you.”
She crossed her arms under her breasts and heaved an exasperated sigh. “Mom’s death was… unexpected and rough. Over a month later, Frank came by asking for his money.”
“How much?”
Her arms fell to her side. She looked down and to the side for a beat before facing him. “Mom had borrowed thirty-five thousand, but since payments were missed because ofher death, he says it’s up to thirty-seven grand.”
“Which is bullshit,” Catalina muttered.
Savannah cut a look at Catalina and glanced back at him. “Though, I paid him two grand before the attack, and another two grand at the end of May, so it should be down to thirty-three grand. He doesn’t exactly offer receipts after I make a payment.”
He closed his eyes for a long moment. “That’swhy you’re dancing.”
Savannah scoffed. “Most women don’t want to take their clothes off to make ends meet, Punc. But I really don’t have a choice.”
“You’ve always got a choice, Savannah.”
She narrowed her eyes a touch. “Really? Because I mentioned calling the cops and he told me what he’d do to Catalina in retaliation. Hell, I even drove to a damn substation, and he knew about itthatday and followed Cat after school just to fuck with her.”
Anger and frustration soured inside his gut, knowing both of them had been scared. “What am I missing here? Why would he prowl around in the backyard?”
Savannah tossed her arms out to her sides and down. “Hell if I know, Punc. I still think it was an animal, but if it was him, my guess is that it’s to prove he can fuck with us whenever he feels like it. Honestly, I’m just trying to keep my head above water at this point.”
Punc nodded. “Right. This asshole is no longer your problem.”
“It isn’t that simple, Punc,” she said.
“The hell it isn’t. Time for this asshole to get a dose of his own medicine.”
