Page 8 of Dangerous Attraction

"We were also just about to leave," he reiterates, saving me for a second time from an uncomfortable situation.

Plucking the cigarette from his mouth, Dave flicks it on the ground between us, crushing it under his sandal.

"Well, it's a good thing I caught you then, because I'm here to talk about the overdue rent."

My brows skyrocket.

"Overdue rent?"

A malicious grin stretches across his face and he nods.

"You see, your father hasn't been here for the last three or four weeks. Word is, the job he'd been doing suddenly fell through, and he skipped town."

I sigh in disappointment.

"Anyway, I always give him time to scrounge up the money because in his line of work, he's usually able to make a good amount in such a small time, if you catch my drift."

"Yes, Dave, I get it," I spit, tired of listening to him. "He was selling drugs as well as using them. It's nothing new. Get to the point already."

"Well, he hasn't come back in time like he usually would, and as far as I'm aware from word around the park, Mr Connell's also done a disappearing act, so I think it's safe to say your father won't have the money I need."

I can already tell where this is leading, and my shoulders drop before he delivers the final blow.

"I'd be willing to chase him up about the rent, but when I do that, he usually returns soon after."

The thought of my father coming back whilst I'm staying here has panic and fear crawling its way through my body.

"I'll pay the rent," I mutter, defeated and unsure if I'm even able to do so. "Just give me a week or two and I'll come up with the money."

Liam grabs my arm, but I shake him off, keeping my desperate, pleading gaze fixated on Dave.

Stroking his hand over his graying, frazzled beard, he acts like he's considering my offer for a few moments.

"Very well. You have two weeks. That will, however, be when I need this month's rent payment too. Let's hope you have it in you to come up with nine hundred and fifty dollars by then, ay."

Rolling my lips together, I nod.

"I'll sort it."

His eyes run over me and Liam, then he turns and walks away.

My heart plummets into my stomach, my eyes drop to the floor, and I hang my head as I scramble to gather my thoughts and come up with some sort of plan.

"Trix?"

"Shit!"

"Trix?"

"Fuck!" I shout, then lower myself into a crouch, threading my fingers through my hair.

Liam's arms circle around my body as he lowers himself to the ground behind me and rests his chin against my shoulder.

"Let me help you with the money," he mutters.

"No," I say immediately, dragging my hands over my face. "I can't accept money from you, Liam. And I don't want you telling Emery about this either, because she'll offer as well."

"But—"