Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“I can’t.”
“I’m telling ya you can.”
Her gaze lowered at that, staring at my stomach. “I can’t afford more days off.”
“You’ll get paid,” I said.
I mean, she got her pretty faced all fucked up because of me. Of course I’d fucking pay her for some time off.
“It’s not just that. There’s,” she started, sighing, “there’s tips when I work.”
“I see,” I said, zipping the kit, lowering down to a squat by her feet, plugging in the code for the safe under my desk, then reaching in to grab one stack, then another, and setting them on her thigh. “There. That should cover it,” I said, re-locking the safe.
“I… I can’t take that.”
“Yet, that’s exactly what you’re gonna do. In fact, I’m gonna take you home and make sure that money ends up there too.”
“You don’t have to walk me home.”
“Babe, I’m walking you home,” I said, shaking my head at her. “You got shit you need to get out of your locker?” I asked.
“I… yeah.”
“‘K. Get it. Then we’ll head out.”
With that, she rose, starting to set the cash on the desk before I shot her a raised brow, then keeping it in her hand as she left the room.
Renzo took the opportunity to move in as soon as she walked out, giving me a chin lift.
“How’s Ricky?”
“Probably has a concussion. Hit ‘im pretty good. Whacked his face on the pavement on the way down.”
“Shit,” I sighed. “Gonna be down two people for a few days,” I said, feeling a muscle in my jaw start to tick.
I couldn’t have people behind my counter looking like they’d gotten attacked. People would put shit together, realize someone had the balls to rob me. That would open us up to more shit like that happening moving forward.
“Make one of your soldiers pull the weight,” Renzo said, shrugging. “Probably a good idea to have a little extra security around here like that anyway. At least until we know more. Did she say anything?”
At my blank look, he snorted.
“Didn’t ask her anything, did you?” he asked, a knowing look in his eyes.
“I’m gonna take her home. I’ll grill her then. Was more worried about her face.”
“Course you were,” Renzo said as I spotted Saff and Serano making their way in the back door.
“What do you need from us?” Saff asked. Serano, as per usual, loomed silently in the doorway.
“We don’t want this shit getting out,” Renzo said. “But keep an ear for anyone bragging about robbing the place. Rico is gonna walk the girl home and get more info. While he’s gone, we’ll go over the security footage.”
“I’m gonna take Ricky home,” Coal said from behind Serano.
“Yeah, appreciate that,” I said. “Tell him he’s taking a few days off. Paid. Plus some money for damages. I’ll drop by to see him tomorrow.”
And likely get my ass chewed out by his protective wife. I’d take that lashing silently. I deserved it. My employees should have been safe at work.
“You ready?” I asked, spotting Kick standing near the back door.
She gave me a nod.
“I’ll be back in a bit,” I told Renzo. “Come on, babe,” I said, leading Kick out the front door, wanting to avoid her seeing Ricky if he looked as bad as Coal claimed.
“I’m this way,” Kick said, leading me in the direction of her apartment. “I really am okay to work,” she insisted.
“Probably right. But I want you out for a few days anyway.”
She didn’t fight me on that again. Instead, asked something I was surprised it took her so long to get to. “Why didn’t you call the police?”
“The fuck they gonna do?” I asked, watching her profile, wondering if she, somehow, didn’t know who I was. Who Renzo was. What we actually did for a living.
“Don’t you need a police report for your insurance to pay you back for the loss?”
“I’m not worried about the money. I’m worried about making sure this shit doesn’t happen again.”
“This is me,” Kick said another couple of buildings down, making me look up at the building that maybe had twenty units, max. It was on a side street known for prostitutes and meth dealers.
Was this all she could afford on her salary?
Suddenly, I felt like I needed to sit down and rebalance the books, giving everyone a fucking raise if this was the best they could do.
“I’m gonna walk you up,” I said as she looked at me.
There was no good reason to insist on it.
Save for wanting to spend a few more minutes with her in private.
Regardless of that making no damn sense. I could question her right there on the street.
Yet I followed Kick up the steps to her front door instead.
CHAPTER FIVE
Kick
The man had handed me two stacks of money like it was nothing. They were fresh from the bank. Still had the little paper band around them. The kind with the brown edges. Which meant each stack was worth five grand.