Page 18 of Entranced With the Hellhound

I look at Black like he stabbed me in the fucking back. He’s the only one who could’ve told my business. Even though I had no idea that Brick worked for the cartel, Black should’ve told them why I paid him.

“Black, why didn’t you tell them that I was paying the debt for my mama?”

“It isn’t Black’s responsibility to tell me shit! Why didn’t you tell me what was going on?” Bishop’s anger is reflected in his muddy hazel eyes.

“Why would I tell you anything about me? You’re not my man. I went to my family when I needed help, like I’m supposed to.” I glare at my cousin, hurt written all over my face.

I don’t know why me paying off a debt to who I thought was a loan shark has anything to do with the Hellhounds. I didn’t know I was dealing with the cartel. But they got their money, so me and Mama are in the clear.

“Clear the fucking room!” Bishop bellows.

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I hop my Black ass up and do my best to skedaddle. I never want to deal with a pissed off Bishop.

No fucking thanks!

“Not you. You sit your little ass down.” Bishop stops me in my tracks.

“Bishop?” Black questions, looking between me and Bishop.

“It’s fine, Black. I got this,” Bishop reassures my cousin.

Black nods and leaves the room, following behind the rest of the cowards. I can’t believe those bastards left me in here. I’m gonna cuss Black’s ass out when I get out of here!

“Blue Grace, what the fuck did you get yourself involved in?” Bishop growls, coming around the table to get in my space.

He’s already larger than life, but I hate how intimidated I am by him right now. It’s not just his size that has my heart beating out of my chest. It’s his closeness. It’s the smell of his spicy cologne. It’s the heated look in his eyes.

There’s no way I should be turned on right now!

I want to roll my eyes at myself, but I don’t want to set Bishop off. His temper seems to be hanging by a thread, and I do not want to be the one who cuts the string. Instead, I mash my thighs together and take a deep breath to get a hold of myself.

“Like I tried to tell you before you lost your shit, I was helping my mama. I won’t apologize for that. I’m her only child, and I’m all she’s got,” I reply unapologetically.

“Nobody said you couldn’t help Carol Anne. I asked why you didn’t come to me?”

“Again, why would I come to you? I was working and paying off the debt. I didn’t know who Brick was. He let me pay in installments, and that was it. He came to me yesterday with a warning, which, by the way, I still don’t know why. He said I needed to pay ASAP, so I went to Black for a loan and paid the rest. The debt is cleared, and I have no more dealings with him and whoever he’s working for.”

“You don’t just pay off a debt with the cartel, Blue. They deal in human fucking trafficking. You could’ve disappeared, and I would’ve never known what happened to you. Do you know how fucking terrified that makes me? Fuck!”

Bishop walks away from me and runs his hand through his carefully coiffed hair. He paces back and forth, muttering to himself. I sit still, wondering if he realized what he just confessed.

“Bishop, I didn’t just go out and borrow money. Chauncey set Mama up, and I stepped in to help. I didn’t go looking for a loan from the fucking cartel.”

“Blue, you should’ve come to me. Is that why you started working at the clinic?”

I nod my head. “Yes, I didn’t have much in my savings because I’m still paying off my school loans. Picking up extra shifts at the hospital wasn’t enough.”

Bishop nods and stops pacing. His face isn’t as red, but I know he’s still pissed. Those eyes of his still hold a blaze of anger.

“Blue Grace, you’re part of this family. Whether you like it or not, we have each other’s backs. If you had issues with Chauncey, you should’ve said something.”

I understand what Bishop is saying, but he knows me better than that. I would never ask the Hounds for a handout. I only asked Black because I had to.

“I know that I’m family, but you know that I don’t do charity. Working for Dr. Caesar was fine…”

“Until it wasn’t…” Bishop interrupts.

I sigh because he’s made up his mind. No matter what I say, Bishop will have an argument for it. That’s why you don’t waste your time disagreeing with a lawyer; you’ll never win.