Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“What the fuck were they doing out there loaning you this much?”
“I didn’t get it all at once. I borrowed some and then as if I hadn’t been stupid enough, I got mixed up in some private gambling rings I had no business in. I thought I was a hell of a lot more skilled than I am. I should have stuck to hockey.”
“It can be easy to get in over your head. That’s what they count on.”
For a moment, his kindness felt like a warm blanket, then I remembered he counted on people getting in over their heads too. That’s how he made money. “I’m fixing my life now. I just need the money to pay off my debts up front. I can show you what I earn here.”
He held up a hand. “That’s not necessary. I know what you’re making or at least close to it, and I know you could pay this back. But it’s a lot and we have to trust you.”
“I thought you just promised to kill me if I couldn’t pay.”
He laughed. “It’s not really good for business to kill everybody. We do need to actually bring some of the money back in. That’s kind of the whole point of making a living off interest, you know?”
“Right. Sure.” I had no doubt they killed some of their clients, though. That made the other clients that much more willing to pay.
“How do I know you won’t gamble away what I give you?”
Because I couldn’t. I had to turn my life around. “I haven’t placed any bets in months. I haven’t even been tempted since I got here. I’m going straight, I swear.”
“Not too straight, I hope.”
I tried to ignore his salacious smile. “Please. I need this loan.”
“I like how you ask so politely. I think I could make an exception for you and go ahead and approve it.”
“You can?” Fuck, I sounded way too eager.
“Of course. You already know I like you.”
Why did I feel like I was signing away a lot more than money? What else was he going to ask of me? “I’m going to need a payment plan.”
“What terms would you suggest?” The predatory smile he gave me had me suppressing a shiver.
“What do you normally offer?”
“This isn’t a normal offer. I’m making it special just for you, so tell me what you need.”
There was no question about it. I was making a deal with the devil. “I need three months before repayment starts and then if you split it into ten payments, I swear I’ll make them on time.”
“And?”
“And that’s it. When the money is paid back, the contract is finished.”
He looked me up and down for a moment. “I’m not sure those terms are acceptable to me.”
“You’re lending me money, and I’ve told you how I can pay it back.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Are you going to lend me the money under those terms or not?”
His smile widened. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep you safe, but it would be nice if you were more appreciative of that.”
“I do appreciate it. I can get you season tickets.”
“What if I told you I already have them?”
I exhaled. Of course he did. “The better to stalk me with?”
He just smiled.
“I need you to stop.”
“Really? You wouldn’t miss me?”
“I told you, if I’d known you were a Marchesi, I wouldn’t have come here.”
“If you’d met with my brother, you would have never known.” His fist tightened as he said it. Did the idea of me meeting his brother make him angry? Why? Did he think I’d like his brother better than him? Was he just as gorgeous?
Jesus, it was bad enough I was horny for one of them. I didn’t need to start fantasizing about having them both. “You wouldn’t have known I’d borrowed money either.”
“I would’ve seen your name on the list of clients, and Val would have gone to our father for an amount like this.”
I’d intended to give the fake name I’d given for the appointment, but I realized that was stupid. They could easily use an image of me to find out who I was. I wouldn’t have been able to hide.
“This is a terrible idea.” I started to stand up again, and he shook his head.
“Put your ass back in that seat.” He turned the paper he’d been filling out so it was right side up for me and pointed to a line at the bottom. “Sign it.”
“I need to read it first.”
“Don’t you trust me?”
He looked as trustworthy as a cat with a mouse. “Absolutely not.”
“That’s wise. But the terms are as you stated.”
I sucked in my breath when I saw the interest rate. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I never kid about business. Are those worse terms than you were offered in Vegas? You are a bit of a risk, you know.”