Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47117 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
The plastic and metal creaked from his weight and the age of the shitty furniture.
“I’m not into fucking surprises showing up on my doorstep. So, tell me what the problem is that you have.”
There was a moment of silence, and then she exhaled long and slow. “My brother was either dropped off or somehow managed to walk to my place. He was beat to shit, and it was because of the group of people that he’s in trouble with.”
Mayhem stayed silent, let her tell him everything on her own time. He might have done some digging on her and her brother, wanting to know what he was dealing with because he’d wanted her that much, but she also needed to trust him, even if she had no reason to.
“I want you to know the only reason I called you and the only reason I’m even telling you any of this is because you offered up a lifeline, and I am desperate. I think you’re still a bastard.”
He grinned even if she couldn’t see him. Hell, he knew it was lowdown what he was doing, but nothing in this world came without a price. That was reality, and if she didn’t know that by now, that was on her. When he didn’t respond, she exhaled again and started speaking once more.
“My brother is involved with the Cardona’s. Have you heard of them?”
Mayhem shifted on the seat, becoming more alert. “Yeah, punk ass group that thinks they’re the next Godfather?”
“They’re dangerous, especially to people like my brother. He has a gambling addiction, and that’s what has him in this current situation. They want ten grand for his debts.”
“Is his time up?”
“What?” she asked.
“Is that why they clocked him out?”
She cleared her throat. “No. He wanted to try and work things out with them.”
Mayhem shook his head and ran a hand over his eyes. “Your brother is a fucking idiot.”
“He may not be the smartest out there, may have problems up the ass, but in his heart, he’s a decent guy. He’s also my brother and my only family.”
“That decent guy is going to end up getting killed and buried in a cornfield but not before they make him watch you eat a bullet, baby.”
He could practically hear her grinding her teeth and feel her anger.
“And that’s why I called you. I have no resources, no friends or family to turn to aside from Nate. Believe me, this is a last fucking resort, but I’d do anything for my brother.”
“Weakness only gets you pulled into other people’s shit.” Mayhem grabbed the bottle of whiskey sitting across from him, didn’t bother with a glass, and unscrewed the cap. He took a pull right from the mouth of it, staring at the wall and waiting for her to continue.
“And there isn’t anyone that you’d die for? That you’d do anything to make sure was safe?”
Mayhem took another large swig of whiskey, then set the bottle down. He wiped the back of his hand over his mouth. “There’s plenty of people I’d lay down my life for, but they would also do the same for me and wouldn’t fuck up repeatedly. You screw with me and what’s mine once, and that’s it. I don’t do second chances and don’t let someone continue to pull me into their problems. That’ll get you killed.”
“Then I guess you’re better than me, aren’t you.” She didn’t phrase it like a question.
“No, baby, I’m not better than you. You’re just not as strong as you think you are.” He wasn’t saying that to piss her off or cut her down. This world would eat up anyone who couldn’t hold their own. Because she was there for her brother, he was still alive. But Mayhem could tell the little prick was weak, and if not for his sister bailing him out, he’d be rotting six feet under already.
“This is a transaction. You’re giving me something, and in return, I’ll—God, I don’t know what I’m supposed to give you.”
He felt his cock jerk at the thought of exactly what he wanted from her. “You know what you’re supposed to give me.”
“But I have my own rule.”
Really, he could have said fuck that. Without his money, she and her brother were screwed. Mayhem was a bastard, but he wouldn’t be a dick to her. If she wanted to negotiate with him, he’d hear her out.
That didn’t mean he’d agree with it all. But just the thought of finally having her, getting that itch out of him because he’d have her in any and every way he saw fit, had Mayhem so fucking juiced up.
“You want to talk, you can come to the motel I’m staying at.” He had to grin after he said that, because he knew she wouldn’t agree to being in a private, closed off space with him, not if she was smart.