Page 13 of Dangerous Games

Fucking pussy.

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to be more specific than that. A lot could be me, but also a lot could not be.” I shrug as I pull a tiny drink umbrella out of my pocket, popping it open and sticking the toothpick end in my mouth, spinning it around with my tongue as I watch him work up the courage to say what he came here to say.

“Cut the crap,” he says, trying to sound tough, but it comes out shaky.

I raise an eyebrow at him as the corner of my lip tips up in an amused smile. “And what crap am I cutting out?”

“You know.”

I flick my tongue around the tip of the toothpick, letting the umbrella twirl as I push off my car. “Well, sorry you went through the trouble of following me here, but unfortunately I got shit to do today. You know where to find me when you figure it out.” I tip my hand up in a wave as I move to head into the pizzeria.

“His fucking hand that was mailed to me in a goddamn box!” the guy yells, making me spin around on my heel, facing him once again. “You’re a sick fucking animal to do that to a man. A real man wouldn’t do that! They face their problems head on!”

My jaw clenches as I feel attention on us from people passing by. There’s nothing I hate more than drawing the attention of a crowd.

I prowl toward him. A small spike of adrenaline shoots through me as I watch him step back.

He’s not quick enough.

My hand is around his throat before he can make it to his car, dragging him to the other side of the sidewalk and shoving him up against the brick building. Another thrill of adrenaline shoots through me as I feel the tendon in his neck jump.

“I’ve had just about enough of you,” I growl lowly. “I don’t know who the fuck you are, and I don’t care to know who the fuck you are. It’s obvious you have half a ball because you had the audacity to follow me here, but the rest is missing because your follow through disgusts me.” A gurgling noise leaves his lips as he tries to talk, his hands frantically grabbing at mine around his throat. I press my thumb in harder. “No. Don’t speak. You’ve said enough. The hand was a warning. A warning that clearly went over your head. Your guy was Eric, yeah?” He gives a little nod in confirmation. “Eric owed a lot of money. He was given more warnings than we usually give for repayment. Eric must have gotten his brains from the same place you got yours from because neither of you seems to be very smart. He tried to pull a fast one and pay his repayment with counterfeit bills. It takes a special kind of idiot to repay a hundred grand gambling debt in fake bills and think we wouldn’t notice, don’t you think?”

The tendon under my hand jumps again. I can feel his pulse beating rapidly as his eyes widen.

“Oh,” I tsk. “Did you not know?” He tries to shake his head. “He begged and pleaded on his knees to make it right, but what he did was done. He even offered up his wife as payment to wipe the slate clean. His fucking wife,” I bite out. “What kind of man does that? A weak one, that’s who. And Eric was a weak man. Now, I sent his hand as a warning because I know your other brother owes money too, and let me fill you in, in case you didn’t know, he’s racking up quite the debt. And if he tries to pull what Eric did, you’re going to get more than a hand in a box. Got me?” He nods his head. “Now get the fuck out of my sight.” I release the grip I have on his neck and shove him toward his car.

I watch through narrowed eyes as he stumbles over his feet and falls against the hood of his car. His hands darting out and catching his weight before he opens his door and scrambles inside. I wait until he drives away and out of sight before I move to head into the pizzeria. But not before looking up at the window I know belongs to Bronwyn.

A small part of me hoped to see her face in it, watching the exchange that just happened so I would have an excuse to pay her a visit sooner, but luck's never been on my side. At least not in that department.

With one last lingering glance, I head into the pizzeria to install security cameras while in the back of my mind I wonder what Bronwyn is doing.

Chapter

Five

BRONWYN

The money Gio left feels like it’s burning a hole in my pocket as I walk home from work the next day.

Don’t ask me why I’m walking around with five grand in cash in my pocket, but I am. Something told me this morning before I left I needed to take it with me. I thought about depositing it in my bank account, but I chickened out because what if they ask where I got that much cash? I’ve never deposited such a large amount at one time in my entire life. I don’t even make that in a month. Feeling the weight of it in my hand feels almost unreal.

So, I took it with me and kept it with me throughout my entire shift and now on my walk home. In a way, I feel dirty that I accepted the offer. It’s basically hush money, but what other choice did I have? He probably would have killed me if I had told him no.

A small light turns on above me, catching my attention as I start to climb the stairs to my apartment. Looking up, I spot two security cameras above the back door to the pizzeria, one pointed at the stairs and one pointed in the opposite direction.

An unfamiliar sensation flutters in the pit of my stomach.

He actually listened to me.

I smile softly to myself as I climb the rest of the stairs and head into my apartment. I tuck the money into the small safe I have stored under my bed for safekeeping until I can figure out a better game plan.

I think I feel so off balance because Gio appeared out of nowhere and rocked my world. I don’t even have to think about dinner because my fridge is full, and I’ve been salivating at the thought of an Italian cold cut sandwich all day. I’m a routine person, and the smallest thing, including my not figuring out what I’m going to do for dinner, throws everything off.

After quickly changing into a pair of sweats and a tank top, I head into the kitchen to make my sandwich. As I’m spreading a light layer of mayo on the bread, a knock sounds on my door.

My heart drops into my stomach.