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I count it, and it’s the exact number I need. But it’s more than anyone would’ve given for that bag we forgot. “You added more. Did your mom give this to you?”
He shrugs. “No, but I figured it out on my own.”
My eyes flicker down his body to the hand that just gifted me the money. The ring that usually adorns his finger is missing.
When he sees me looking, he retracts his hand. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Thanks,” I say, tucking the money into the bag.
With this, I’ll have just enough to settle the score.
“This means more than—”
“I know.” Kai interrupts.
I return his smile and put the bag aside.
He taps the top of the car and then walks away, but within seconds, he’s opened the passenger side door and sits down beside me.
“What are you doing?” I don’t want him to get the wrong idea. “I don’t want you to be in danger.”
“I don’t care,” he says, leaning in. “You know I’d go to war for all of you fuckers, right?”
“It’s just a simple deal. In and out. That’s it.”
“And I’m coming with you,” he says while I put the car into reverse. “Now go.” His eyes flick to my watch. “It’s time.”
Not another second goes by before I race off and head out the gates of Spine Ridge U. The road down is long and winding, and with every curve, my heart picks up a beat. I’m anxious, beads of sweat rolling down my back as I make my way toward the city's outskirts.
At the end of the long road, there’s a left turn, and instead of heading for the Crescent Vale City, I drive to the small parking lot in the back of the forest, where there’s a backpacking trail for adventurers seeking thrills near Spine Ridge.
A seedy-looking car waits for me there, headlights turned toward me as I park my car and turn it off.
“Want me to do it?” Kai asks.
I shake my head. “They want to see it’s me.”
He clutches the gun in his hand tightly and shows it to me from underneath the dashboard. “I’ll be here. If they so much as try anything, I’ll back you up.”
My heart’s racing in my throat, but I ignore it and step out of the vehicle, adjusting my suit before I grab my bag of cash.
Someone steps out too and walks to the front of their car. “Glad to see you showed up. Wouldn’t want to barge in unannounced.”
Must be that fucker who sent me all those texts.
“Romeo?” I ask.
“Talking to him. You got the cash?”
I hold out the bag like a severed head. “It’s all in here.”
“Hand it over.”
“No.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Not until you guarantee our safety.”
The pause feels eternal.
“That money belongs to us. Your mom and dad owe us.”
