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“Did I mention her brothers aren’t nearly as hot as you?” Abby flashes a sexy grin. She doesn’t release that smile often and flags shoot straight into the air.
I roll my eyes. Logan and Abby hooking up is not a good idea. She destroys guys and. . . I like Logan. “Logan, I forgot my seed money. Wanna come back with me to pick it up?”
“Sure. ”
I kiss Rachel’s lips again. “Be back in a sec. ”
Chapter 54
Rachel
FIDDLING WITH A WRENCH, I listen to Abby gush about my family. How insanely nice my parents are and how crazy it is that all of my brothers are good-looking. I’ll admit, I’m blessed. I have so much more than others, and on the outside my family is absolutely perfect.
“Hello, Rachel. ”
My head snaps up and Abby falls silent. My heart drums, and a cold sweat breaks out over my body, onto my palms. I swipe my hands against my jeans the moment I see the face that haunts my nightmares. “Eric. ”
He strides into the garage as if he owns the place. His green army jacket engulfs his bony body. “Making new friends, Abby?”
Abby straightens beside me, and gone is the girl that I’ve come to know over the past couple of weeks. All emotion drains from her face and leaves a hardness that frightens me. “This isn’t your block, Eric. It belongs to me. ”
“No, it belongs to the person you pay off to keep you and your family safe. ” Eric makes a show of glancing over both of his shoulders before leaning into Abby. His nose nearly touches hers. “And I don’t see him here. ”
She doesn’t flinch. A creepy smile eases onto her face as she tosses her hair so she can stare him straight in the eye. “One phone call, Eric, and it’ll be raining fire and brimstone. ”
If I didn’t know better, I would have thought fear flashed in his eyes. “You’d let Isaiah be caught in the crosshairs? I don’t think so. ” Eric switches his sights to me. “How’s it going with my money?”
“Fine. ” I rub my arms. The skin crawls as he invades my personal space. He’s so close that I smell his bre
ath.
“Word on the street is that you might make deadline,” he breathes out as his eyes linger near my chest.
I cross my arms, trying to hide what he’s focusing on. Adrenaline begins to leak into my bloodstream, and I silently pray for Isaiah to stride back into the door. Isaiah can fix this. He knows how to make me feel safe.
“Don’t let him get to you,” Abby says. “He’s like those damn annoying dogs always starved for attention and begging for scraps at the table. It’s best to pretend he doesn’t exist. ”
“Watch your mouth,” he mutters.
“You’re pathetic and transparent. Isaiah won’t fall for your intimidation shit, which is why I’m guessing you’re here. ”
Eric tears his eyes away from Abby and this time stares at my lips. “How close are you really to paying me off? We could make a deal. You do something for me and I’ll provide a discount for you. ”
Abby appears at my side. “Step back, Eric. ”
He smirks. “Or what, Abby? You gonna jack up the prices on the drugs you sell? I’m aware of the service charge reserved only for me. You need to start rethinking your business practices. ”
My head jerks and Abby falters. Our eyes meet and her calm, cold facade cracks.
Eric laughs. “She didn’t know that you’re a drug dealer, did she?”
When Abby says nothing, Eric inches closer. I inch to the side, but Eric follows. Without thinking, I trapped myself against a wall. I don’t like how Eric looks at me. The panic begins to claw at my chest and I swallow. I need to stay in control.
“Did you know that Isaiah is an addict? Uses like the rest of us street rats. ” His eyes wander up, then down. “What kind of currency are you paying Isaiah to take on this debt? Not cash, I’m guessing. ”
Eric raises his hand and all the air squeezes out of my lungs. I gasp right as he moves to touch my skin. He can’t touch me. I won’t let him. My hands thrust out and I push at his chest.
Anger explodes in his dark, soulless eyes. He grabs my wrist, slamming it over my head into the concrete wall. I scream.
