“No, leave her out of this,” he spits out, clearly panicked.
I grin at Bodhi. He did his research, knows his weak spot.
“You know you won’t get away with this. Southern Breakers won’t see kindly to you fucking with me.”
“Better make this quick then. You give me the information I want, you can leave with your life intact.” I hover over him, and I see as he registers just how much trouble he’s in. “How much does she owe you?”
“Fifty grand. We gave her the opportunity to pay it off with some work.”
“Fifty grand to rent a shithole like this?” I laugh darkly. “I should have you run the rental side of my business,” I mutter dryly to Bodhi.
He huffs out a laugh.
Damion’s attention shifts from Bodhi to me. “Interest has been accruing for a while. You look like businessmen, you must know how it all works. Girl got into some trouble a couple of years back; she could have it paid off by now if she showed up to work when she’s supposed to. That’s what the boss says. This is all on her.”
Work. It’s no wonder she doesn’t show up to work for this piece of shit when that means selling a piece of her soul every time she does. Venom seeps into my veins, poisoning me in a way I have never experienced before. I should have protected her from this kind of evil. All this time she’s been out there on her own and that’s on me. My fist connects with his jaw and he flies back, taken off guard by my sudden burst of violence.
“What the fuck?” he cries, blood leaking from his now busted cheek.
I tilt my head, assessing how he should die. “And if the debt is paid today?”
His eyes shift to the door, looking for a way out. I kick it closed and grin back at him like the psychotic motherfucker I am.
“He asked you a question.” Bodhi stands over him, staring the thug down with a coolness that would turn most to stone.
My boot connects with his shoulder, forcing him back to the floor. “Answer me.”
“The club owns her. There’s no walking away. This isn’t a charity. She came to us for help — we gave it. But every girl who knocks on our door knows what it costs. You understand that… right? It’s business.”
“Business, yeah, I get that.” I nod, playing along as if I understand his predicament. If she really did come to him, she has more explaining to do than she knows, putting herself in such a dangerous situation for a little money. “What work exactly was she doing for you?”
His eyes light up in a way that fills me with disgust. “Whatever the boys needed.”
Bodhi steps in beside me. “Might want to be more specific.” His finger hovers over his phone, taunting him.
He grins when he really shouldn’t. “The girl has good assets.”
Bodhi’s boot connects with his nose, the crunch of bone so damn satisfying, not to mention surprising. Physical violence is usually beneath him.
“What the fuck,” he cries, glaring back up at the two of us.
“Using her body to pay off her debt to the club?” I motion to the camera set-up, knowing by the slimy look on his face that he’s got something to do with it.
He nods, looking like he’s about to piss himself. Yeah, I bet he enjoyed this job right up until he laid eyes on us. “The club has a few creative ways to help girls pay off any debts, Dax is real good like that,” he splutters, blood spewing from his broken nose. It’s surprising he can still talk, but the fucker is tougher than I gave him credit for.
“Hear that, Slater? How kind of him, helping out the less fortunate with such lucrative work. What’s your cut? Bet a girl like Elsie makes good money with a body like hers. Or do you just like to watch the clips?”
“She’s a top earner, that’s why the club is pissed we can’t find her,” he whimpers.
Sweat trickles down my spine. I can’t hold back much longer. This fucker has taken advantage of her and for that he’s going to pay dreadfully. I move quickly, reaching behind the man and pulling him up by his arms. “I want you to call your prez or whoever is in charge and give ‘em a clear message from me.”
Bodhi pulls out my checkbook and scribbles out fifty thousand dollars. It’s hardly going to leave a dent in my bank account, and if it gets them off her back, it’s worth it.
“Go on,” I say when he’s staring up at me like he’s lost.
Bodhi moves in closer. “He said get out your fucking phone.”
With a shaky hand, the man pulls his phone free and dials a number. “The girl’s not here. She sent a couple of heavies who have a messagefor you,” he grumbles down the line. Then holds the phone up for me.
