Bargain

RAINEY

“Riley’s got a thing for Cheetos,” I say, laughing a little as I feed the vending machine its coin. “She’d pick these over a home-cooked meal any day.”

Ansel grins, his eyes scanning the hospital lobby. “Sounds like Alex. He’s got a serious Doritos addiction.”

I smile back, grabbing the snack from the machine. I put in another coin and hit the button for Skittles.

As I bend down to collect the candy, I notice Ansel’s gaze fixed on a man sitting near the water cooler.

The stranger is dressed all in black, his attention buried in his phone, seemingly oblivious to the world around him.

I raise an eyebrow at Ansel. “Everything okay?”

He nods, his lips pressed together. “Yeah…” He finally looks away from the man, running a hand through his hair. “Just doesn’t feel safe here.”

I look around. There are people reading magazines, doctors and nurses bustling about, and kids sliding around on the slick floor. It doesn’t feel dangerous to me, but I trust Ansel’s instincts.

“Let’s head back upstairs,” I suggest. He agrees, pushing off the wall to help carry the snacks.

But just as we’re about to leave, I feel the sudden need to pee. I shift uncomfortably, and Ansel catches it.

“You okay?”

“I need to use the bathroom.”

He scans the area, then points. “There’s one over there. I’ll wait for you here, okay?”

I nod and hurry off to the restroom. After relieving myself, I wash my hands, smiling at a little girl whose mom is helping her reach the faucet.

It reminds me of my own mom, back when she was still loving and kind, before the divorce. It’s sad how quickly her love for me seemed to disappear.

The little girl and her mom leave, and I dry my hands before following them out.

As soon as I step into the lobby, something cold presses against my side. I freeze, feeling someone’s ragged breath on my ear.

“If you scream, I’ll kill you, then your friends.”

I swallow hard, my eyes dropping to the gun pressed into my side. I look over at Ansel, who’s on his phone, looking the other way. He has no idea what’s happening. I’m glad. I don’t want him to get hurt.

“Come with me, and don’t make a scene.”

I let the adrenaline take over, letting the man guide me around the corner, away from Ansel.

I try to get a look at my captor as he leads me out of the hospital, but every time I try, he presses the gun harder into my side.

When we reach the underground parking lot, four men step out of the shadows, walking towards us.

“Who are these men?” my captor asks. I shrug, genuinely clueless.

One of the men points a gun at my captor’s head, while another steps in front of us, his hand resting on the gun in his waistband.

The other two stand back, like they’re ready for anything. They’re all wearing jeans and jerseys, and I use the distraction to get a look at the man holding me hostage.

He’s dressed in a sharp blue suit, a stark contrast to the casual attire of the other men.

The man with the gun pointed at my captor flicks his eyes between us. “Where are you taking her?”

“None of your business,” my captor snaps, nudging me with the gun to keep moving.

The cold metal digs into my side as I take a step forward, but the man in the jersey cocks his gun, stopping me in my tracks.

“I suggest you let her go, or I’ll blow your fucking brains out.”

I realize then that these men must be Alaric’s friends, sent to protect us while we’re in Freetown.

“Who the hell are you guys?” my captor demands, not showing any fear.

I look around the parking lot. There’s a black GMC van a few feet away, and a few other cars scattered around.

The lot is deserted, which would have made it easy for me to be kidnapped if Alaric’s friends hadn’t been here.

“Our boss told us to keep her safe, and we don’t want to piss him off.

“So let her go, or things will get messy,” one of the men says. Just then, a loud honk grabs our attention, and the window of the black van rolls down.

A man with short dark hair is sitting in the back seat. He signals to the man holding me hostage, who immediately removes the gun from my side.

“Did Alaric send you boys?” the man in the van asks Alaric’s friends.

They don’t answer, just glare at him.

“I just need to talk to her. I won’t hurt her or kidnap her. If you don’t trust me, you can watch from here, okay?”

“Why should we trust you, Ron Moretto?” one of Alaric’s friends asks.

~This must be Kendra’s uncle, the one who’s after me.~

This is just the person I wanted to see. I can warn him to stay away from my best friend. Anger flares up inside me, and I nod in agreement.

“I’m ready to hear him out.”

One of Alaric’s guys turns to me, eyebrows raised. “You sure about that? We were told to—”

“It’s fine,” I cut him off. “I’ve got some things to discuss with him anyway.”

He gives a reluctant nod, then leans in to whisper something to one of his buddies. The guy responds with a quick, “Got it, Leo,” before darting off to a black SUV parked at the edge of the dimly lit lot.

He hops in the SUV, drives it over, and parks it right in front of Ron’s van, effectively blocking it in.

“Just so we’re clear, if you try anything funny, you’re not going anywhere. Your van’s blocked in,” Leo warns.

Ron just laughs, waving his hand dismissively. “Sure thing, kid.”

He signals to his guy, who nudges me towards the van. He opens the back door, and I slide in, the leather seats shifting beneath me.

I take a quick look at the man next to me. His chiseled jawline is the first thing I notice, followed by the overpowering scent of his cologne.

He looks to be in his late thirties, and despite his expensive-looking suit, there’s something intimidating about him.

…Which makes me wonder why a drug dealer would be so dressed up.

He plays with a silver skull ring on his finger, then turns to look at me, his icy gray eyes piercing mine.

“Shut the door.”

I narrow my eyes at him, and he jerks his head towards the door, his jaw clenched. “The AC’s on.”

I reach for the door, but Leo’s hand shoots out to stop me, his face hardening as he glares at the man next to me.

“Why does she need to close the door?”

“Relax. This won’t take long, kid,” he assures him.

I give Leo a small nod, and after a moment’s hesitation, he steps back, reluctantly closing the door. The van is now silent, the sounds from outside completely muffled.

I notice a man in the driver’s seat, his gaze fixed straight ahead, as if he’s afraid to look anywhere else.

“Moscow. Give us some privacy.”

“Yes, sir.” He opens the driver’s door and steps out, letting a brief gust of warm air into the van before the door shuts again.

The windows are tinted, casting a dark shadow over the van as he turns to face me.

“Pleasure to meet you, Rainey Slate. I’m Ron Moretto.” He extends his hand towards me, but I look away, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. He pulls his hand back, seemingly unfazed.

“I know who you are. I don’t regret what I did to your niece, and I’m not going to apologize.

“If you want to kill me, go ahead. But leave my best friend out of this. What you did to her was messed up, and if you even think about—”

“I’m not interested in your friend, Rainey Slate,” he interrupts, adjusting his jacket over his muscular frame. I glare at him, a mix of confusion and anger, as he turns to face me.

“I want you.”

I blink in disgust. “What?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I want you to work for me,” he clarifies. “You held your own against my niece. I like that.

“You’re small, but you can handle yourself. I have a soft spot for strong girls with battle scars.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know your parents are divorced. I know you’re lonely. If you join me, I can give you everything. Money. Protection. Whatever you want.”

“My dad’s a CEO worth millions. I don’t need your charity. I don’t know what Kendra told you—”

“This isn’t about Kendra anymore. I know she got what she deserved.”

“What do you know?” I challenge.

He shrugs. “Remember that night? I was the one who saved you from those two guys.

“Think about what could’ve happened if I hadn’t shown up. They could’ve done whatever they wanted to you.”

I squint, my memory starting to clear.

I do remember a man coming into the room that night. The guys called him boss, and Kendra mentioned her uncle owned the club. It all adds up.

“I told her I’d handle you myself because family’s important. But I think I like you. I don’t want to kill you when you could be…useful.”

“You’re crazy. Just stay away from my friend, or I’ll do whatever it takes to fight back.”

I can feel the anger boiling inside me as I reach for the door, but he speaks again. His voice is no longer calm, but cold and sharp, freezing the air.

“If you don’t accept my offer, I might have to go back to my original plan.”

I turn to look at him.

“I wasn’t planning on making you an offer, Rainey Slate. I was going to slit your pretty little throat.

“But you’ve got…the ~looks~ and skills I need, so I thought twice about hurting you. Join me. You won’t regret it.”

“I’ll never agree to that. Don’t waste your time.”

“Well, that decision puts both you and your friend in danger. How selfish.” He sighs. “I also noticed you’re close with the King brothers. Ansel King… Is he the one you’re into?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “What do you know about the King brothers?”

He chuckles. “We go way back, sweetheart. We’re practically family. Or at least, we used to be.”

~Family?~

“You’re pretty fortunate to have the King boys on your side. They’re a real handful.”

He laughs, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Especially Ansel. He’s not afraid to get his hands ~dirty~. Out of all the brothers, he’s the one to watch out for. He’s my ~favorite~.”

I clutch the edge of my chair, hanging on his every word. What’s he getting at?

“Ansel’s the most dangerous of the brothers. Sure, they all have that charming smile and those mysterious eyes. But what sets Ansel apart is…”

He locks eyes with me, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. “…He’s a master at making people believe he’s a good guy.”

I tense up, a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach.

“He’s like candy, all sweet and tempting. But what you end up with is cavities and diabetes. You think you know the King boys. But trust me, you don’t have a clue.”

I swallow hard, my mind flashing back to the time when Alex and Ansel roughed up those guys on Vincent Street. As if he can read my thoughts, he continues.

“I’m aware that he and the youngest, Alex, gave my men a beating. I’m surprised they didn’t kill them. Those boys don’t hold back.

“Hitler, one of my best guys, is now behind bars, all thanks to the King boys. Just so you know, I plan on settling the score.

“Which brings us back to the matter at hand.”

He turns to face me. “If you don’t accept my offer, Rainey Slate, we’re back to square one.

“I’ll kill you, then I’ll kill your friend Riley, and then I’ll go after the King boys and their entire family.”

I glare at him. “I will never agree to—”

“One month. That’s all you get. After that, I’ll be back for your answer, and it will decide your fate.

“Don’t even think about running, because I will find you, Rainey Slate. Have a nice day.” He gestures towards the door, signaling for me to leave.

I tear my gaze away from him and reach for the door handle, but stop when his deep voice fills the room again.

“By the way, tell Ansel I’m still sorry about Lea.” There’s a hint of mockery in his voice. “I didn’t think he’d fall for her. My bad.”

I stare at him in surprise as he pulls out his phone, taps a few times, and then holds it to his ear. “Let’s go.”

Moscow walks in as I step out, and one of Alaric’s men moves the SUV blocking Ron’s van. Leo saunters over to me as the vehicle pulls away, giving me a quick once-over.

“You’re okay, right?”

I shake my head, my mind still reeling from my conversation with Ron Moretto.

~How does he know Ansel and his brothers? How does he know Lea? And does that mean Ansel knows Kendra?~

I frown, realizing that I know next to nothing about Ansel. And it’s frightening that I trust him despite this.

“Rainey!”

I look up to see the very person I’ve been thinking about, his dark hair bouncing against his forehead as he hurries towards me.

Worry is etched on his face, and I feel my doubts start to fade.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” he says, his eyes darting to Alaric’s men. He nods in acknowledgment, and they return the gesture before leaving us alone.

“What’s going on? Why are you here? I’ve been worried sick.”

~Should I tell him that I met Ron Moretto?~

~Yes, I should.~

“Ron Moretto. He talked to me just now.”

I watch as Ansel’s jaw tightens, his eyebrows knitting together in a frown. His eyes scan the parking lot before returning to me. “What?”

“Ron Moretto. Kendra’s uncle.”

His gaze anxiously sweeps over me as he gently cups my face in his hands. He closes his eyes, then opens them again, and they look so vulnerable as he looks at me.

“D-did he hurt you, Rain?”

I almost smile at the concern in his eyes, and I shake my head. “No.”

Ansel looks relieved as he lets go of me, shifting uncomfortably. “What did he say?”

“He made me a ‘proposal.’”

He squints. “A proposal? What kind?”

“He said he won’t hurt me or Riley if I…join him.”

Ansel’s eyes narrow at this, his brow furrowing in displeasure. “Join him? What—what does that even mean?”

“I don’t know. But he said he needs me because I’m strong and—”

“I see where this is going. Not again.”

~Not again?~

“No way. You’re not joining anyone. He better stay the hell away from you, if he knows what’s good for him.”

Ansel takes my hand in his, and I look down at our intertwined fingers. “Don’t worry about it, okay? I’ll handle it. He can’t touch you.”

I look up at him again. “He said one month. He’s giving me one month before he comes back for me.”

Ansel sighs. “Don’t worry about it. I won’t let anyone hurt you, okay? Just trust me. Do you trust me?”

I manage a small smile. “I do.”

He nods and pulls me into his arms, holding me close. I close my eyes and breathe in his scent.

I may not know much about him, but I feel safe with him. He says he won’t let anyone hurt me, and I believe him. I trust ~him~.

“Ansel.” Leo’s voice cuts through the air as he approaches us, causing us to pull apart. “I’m not sure it’s safe for you two to stick around here. Ron Moretto isn’t exactly known for keeping his promises.”

Ansel’s response is quick. “We can’t leave yet. Riley won’t be released until tomorrow. We have to stay one more night.” Leo nods, understanding the situation.

“Alright. We’ll be here too, so we’ll keep watch,” he assures us.

“Thanks, Leo. We appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it. I owe you and Alaric.” He grins at us, and we return the smile before he heads back to the group of guys huddled around the SUV.

Ansel reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers. “Let’s head back to the hospital room. I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”

I glance down at our linked hands as he gently tugs me towards the exit.