Page 144 of Silent Damage

Angelique kisses my cheek. “I don’t want to see you get hurt. You’re too young to end up like some of the guys I’ve seen pass through here.”

The room feels too small for the news she just shared. I rub the sweat from my brow and nod. “Thank you. I’ll be careful.”

She sees me off, and I try to regain composure.

Sure, Rhett’s mad. Does he want revenge? Naturally.

It’s a dangerous job! I knew that going in.

Okay, I’m freaking out.

Cool it. Take a breath and be strong.

My knock on Tobias’s door is met with his deep voice welcoming me in.

“Jason,” he says, lounging in his chair with his feet up on the desk.

I nod. “Tobias. It’s good to see you.”

“Have a seat,” he motions to the chair across the desk. Once I’m seated, he stares at me with an intense smile. I try to school my features, but it’s weird. He looks…happy…but also scary. “You’ve done great work so far. A lot of my men came to me when you won that fight and told me to cut you loose—that you wouldn’t hack it. They were wrong.”

“Sure were.” Assholes.

“I’d like to reward you for your hard work.” Tobias unlocks a drawer and pulls out a wad of cash. I’m expecting him to separate some money from the stack, but instead he slides the whole thing across the table. “For you,” he says.

My eyes widen as I see that they’re hundred-dollar bills. “How much—”

“Twenty thousand,” Tobias answers like it’s nothing before I can even ask the question.

Holy fuck! “Tobias, I don’t know what to say—”“Don’t say anything. Just keep doing good work. I have another job for you this week, and I expect the level of professionalism you’ve been showing thus far.”

“Absolutely! I won’t let you down.” I look at the money…I haven’t touched it yet.

“Jason,” Tobias says, and I look at him. “Take what you deserve. You earned it.”

My hand rests on the stack, and a rush washes over me. Holding this much cash is a wild dopamine hit.

“Don’t let anyone see it on your way home,” Tobias says.

I quickly shove it in my pocket, afraid it’ll evaporate if I don’t.

“And get yourself a ride,” Tobias adds. “You’re a HellCat now. You need to look the part.”

“You mean like…”

Tobias nods. “That’s right. Get yourself a hog and some leather.”

Holy shit, a motorcycle.

“Thank you so much,” I say, trying to be chill while also wanting to scream and do cartwheels.

“There’s more where that came from. Just keep making me proud.”

Aw, man, don’t make me get weird and emotional, dude.

“Will do.” And I hurry the fuck out of there to keep my shit together.

Gabe