“Borrowed?”
“I got a loan from Gary.”
“From Gary? The ex?” I knew her history with good ol’ Gary, and I knew it had to be rough on her to go to him for the money. And that only seemed to make this whole mess even worse. “Fuck me.”
“I had to do something.”
“Yeah, I know.” I ran my hand over my face with frustration. “I’m going to need you to start from the beginning. And don’t leave anything out.”
“I don’t have time for this. I’m supposed to get him this money before midnight. It’s the only way to end this.”
“Do you really think giving him that money is going to end anything?”
“But he said…”
“I don’t care what he said,” I interrupted. “No one’s going to hurt her. I won’t let them, and I won’t let you get in any deeper than you already are with my brother.”
“But why would you care? Isn’t this what I get?”
She was right.
I had no business helping her.
Especially after she’d helped my brother put the knife in my back.
But even though I was angry, hurt, and beyond exhausted, I couldn’t let her face this alone. I told myself that it didn’t change anything. It didn’t mean everything was okay. It just meant I wasn’t ready to let her go. Not just yet.
“You didn’t go through with it. You walked away when it would’ve been easier to stay.”
“I still feel bad, and I’m really, really sorry.” She glanced down at the ground as she muttered, “I just want this to be over.”
“So do I,” I answered quietly. “That's why I need you to talk to Shep. I need you to tell him everything that’s gone down from the very first meeting with Davis.”
“Lila Kate is the one you should be talking to. She knows more about this than anyone.”
“Call her. Tell her I’ll have one of my boys there in ten to pick her up.”
“Wait.” Her eyes widened. “We’re doing this now?”
“The sooner the better.”
“If you say so.”
Without any further arguments, she pulled her phone out of her back pocket and started calling her sister. I used the opportunity to lift my hand and motion across the lot, catching the attention of Smitty, one of the younger prospects. He came over, and he asked for no explanation when I told him to go over to the bar where Lila Kate worked and pick her up. He simply nodded and was on his way.
Presley ended her call and turned to me. “She’s getting someone to cover her shift.”
I nodded, then reached down and took her hand in mine. I didn’t overthink it. It just felt like the thing to do, and she didn’t resist. I led her inside and down the hall. My mind was already running through all the worst-case scenarios, and while none of them were good, Davis had already shown his hand.
There was no way in hell I was about to let him play another round.
I filled Shep in on everything that Presley had told me, and after he’d had a moment to process everything, he caught my eye and motioned his head toward the back corner. I followed him over, and once we were out of earshot, he leaned in and asked, “You thinking what I think you’re thinking?”
“I am.”
“Damn. This shit with your brother just keeps getting better and better.”
“I don’t wanna jump to conclusions.” I glanced back over at Presley as I told him, “I need you to find out what’s what.”
