Page 74 of Boys Who Hunt
“Put it down on the floor.”
I slowly place the stack on the concrete floor in front of me, but I don’t let go of it yet. “What guarantees can you give me that we’ll be safe?”
“Did you think you’d still be frolicking around in that apartment of yours if you weren’t?”
I swallow down the lump in my throat.
He knows where I live.
Shit!
I knew that fucker’s reach was huge, but not that he’d be able to track me within a few months already.
“As long as you keep paying, I won’t talk,” he says.
“How much?”
“Five grand. Each month.”
“Five?!” My nostrils flare. “I can’t—”
“You’ll make it happen.” He chuckles, stepping forward into the light of the fire. An eerie-looking scar goes all the way across his lip. A scar I recognize from my past life, one that brings terror to my bones.
“Because you made this choice. And now you’ll live with the consequences. Won’t you?”
With furrowed brows, I nod.
“Good. Now step away, and I promise you and your little Cora won’t get in trouble.”
I pull away from the money and slowly step back, but my hands still dive into my pockets as I contemplate whether to take my chances and flee with the money.
It’d be one witness down, more money for me, and our location kept secret.
“Don’t even think about it,” he says. “I already told one other insider. In case you’d try something on me.”
Fuck. So that plan is out the window.
I pull my hands from my pocket. “You keep your end of the deal, and I’ll keep mine.”
“I already told you the terms of our agreement.” A devilish smirk forms on his face. “Now leave. Before you get in more trouble than you’re already in.”
I scowl but still turn around, telling myself it’ll all be fine.
I’ll just have to find a new place to rob every month. That’s it. I can do that, easy. Right?
Max
I followher all the way to the warehouse without her noticing and park my motorcycle a few blocks down, then trail her on foot.
She never noticed I already installed the tracker on her bike.
Not because I want her to be afraid or feel stalked but because I need to know if she’s safe. If I can’t be near, then at least I’ll make sure she’s okay.
What the fuck was that all about?
She gave this gnarly-looking guy a wad of cash, and he couldn’t even promise he’d protect her and the kid… from who?
A shiver runs down my spine, and I swiftly make my way back through the streets before she catches me here. However, a few screams up ahead make me turn my head.