He hands me a brown envelope. His slicked back silver hair flashes white with each flash of the streetlight.
Holding my roll up between my lips, I open the package and peer inside, flicking the crisp notes with my thumb.
“And the hidden asset?” His jaw ticks, getting impatient.
“I’m still working on it. Someone intercepted it first. I thought it was you prowling the street until I saw her place trashed the next day.” I throw the package through the car window, letting it land on the seat. Then I lean back against the door.
He snarls. “Malcolm? I should have killed him when I had the chance.”
“Dan’s got a lead on him, don’t worry.” The cherry flares as I take another pull on the roll-up. “You know, she has no idea it’s a valuable piece, but she’s quite attached to it.”
“Aye. So am I, lad. So you better not fail me.” His dark green eyes look almost familiar, mirroring my own deadly daggers. I never liked him much, but a job is a job and when the prize came with a red-headed fox, I couldn’t turn it down.
“I never fail the people who put their trust in me.”
“She won’t miss it if she thinks it’s worthless.”
“She said it was her mum’s. It’s a sentimental piece.” I let the smoke tendrils curl from my lips and drop the butt on the ground, stomping it with my boot.
“Bloody women and their feelings. She wouldn’t be attached if she knew the trouble it’s caused over the years. That snake is poisonous. I’m sure the damn thing’s cursed.” He stares off into the distance as if recalling an old memory. “But I’ll be bloody damned if I don’t get paid my dues after fifteen years in the nick. I would’ve got less for bloody murder.”
A half laugh makes my shoulders shake. “Yeah, bank robbery is just petty theft.” I stare into his darkening green eyes.
Being a hunter, I deal with all kinds of people, but I’m usually on the right side of the law. I should’ve run a full background check on this guy before I took the job on. I usually do, but when a mate vouched for him after sharing his cell, and when he said a young girl was in danger, that was enough for me to get involved.
Only the young girl was a woman. A fucking vixen with flaming hair and fire in her eyes. And once I caught her scent like a hound, the chase was on. With my strong prey drive, I couldn’t stop till I had her. And I won’t stop until I’ve claimed her wholly as mine.
“You watch your tongue, lad. Don’t forget who you’re speaking to and see that you find my jewel, or we’ll both be out of pocket.”
I bare my teeth. My eyes turn to thin slits. He turns away before I have time to put the old man in his place. I don’t take too kindly to people barking orders at me, but I keep my mouth shut, because I have my own agenda. One that prioritises a certain redhead.
12
POPPY
“Why are you wearing your work uniform?” Dom stretches out on the sofa. His legs wide, an arm stretched over the back of the cushions and his other arm bringing a bottle of beer to his lips.
“I’m going to work.” He knows I have work today. He’s basically been at the club every night for the last couple of weeks to know my schedule. “I’ll be perfectly safe in the club. Joe will keep an eye on me.”
“Joe couldn’t keep that creep’s hands from sliding up your skirt.” His jaw clenches. “Anyway, I called in for you. They’re not expecting you tonight.” He takes another sip of beer.
“I can’t lose this job, Dom. How could you do that? I’ll get the sack.”
“Mike’s cool. I told him you’re taking some time off.” His eyes rake my body, lingering on my hips for longer than he should. “He won’t sack you, but I might.” He raises a brow, then sits up, placing the bottle on the coffee table. “Come here.” He pats his legs gesturing for me to sit on him.
“I’m not ill, Dom. Take me to work right now. I need the money.” My fists dig into my hips. If he thinks he’s controlling where I go, he has another thing coming. I can’t hide from my past forever.
“You don’t need the money. I’ll help you out financially.”
“Are you going to pay my bills? Buy me food?”
“You won’t have any bills living with me. You may as well give up your place, anyway. It wasn’t safe for you there.”
As much as I appreciate the gesture, I’ve never depended on a man before, and I don’t intend to start now. I stomp to the door, but as I assumed, it’s locked, and the only key is the one he keeps with him at all times. Chewing my lip, I search around for a spare set of keys, then storm back into the living room to find him smirking at me.
“Why don’t you just relax? We have the place to ourselves.”
I cock my hip, digging my fist into it. “Where’s Dan?”
