Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
I’m supposed to be coming up with a plan for old Jimmy here, but all I can think about is how I can get closer to the vision of perfection waiting for him downstairs. Maybe I’m a little twisted, but I come up with an idea that fixes both of my problems. It’s kind of sick, but then, I’ve never been the most mentally stable guy. If I was, I would suck at this job.
“Get him on his feet.“
They pull Jimmy up by his arms, and I walk back to my desk, already running through how I’m gonna pull this off. “Is that your daughter down there?”
“Short hair? Yellow dress? That’s my girl. She’s my only one. Listen, Sir. I know I can pay you if you just give me…”
I drown out the rest of his bullshit. It’s always the same desperate promises when they know that, short of winning the lottery, they’re never gonna be able to make good. As he rambles, I formulate the idea in my head.
I want her and can easily send my guys down there to take her, but just thinking of them being close to her and touching her makes me see red. They’re loyal to me, but I’m not above hurting my own men—or anyone for that matter—if they dare to even look at her the wrong way.
Besides, I don’t need that kind of reputation. If people think I’m gonna steal their children, they might be less likely to have me cover their debts. No, I need him to give her to me. He’s desperate. And desperate men do stupid things.
“Jimmy, I’ll give you the time.”
He sits up straighter, eyebrows pulled together. “You will? I don’t believe it. Thank you!”
“Not so fast. I want something in return.”
He nods enthusiastically, curling his lips and shaking his head like he can’t believe his good fortune. That alone should have alarmed him. “What’s that? Anything. Anything I have to give is yours.”
“Come here.” I turn my back on him, and my eyes automatically find her.
He inches his way to my side, and I put my arm around his shoulders. He stiffens but doesn’t say anything, and I point to her out the window. “Her. I want her.”
“You want her? M-my k-kid? She’s just twenty,” he stutters.
I wait for him to object. Surely a father won’t just hand his daughter over to someone like me. He must have all sorts of ideas running through his head, and I can’t blame him.
What perverted plans do I have for his innocent little girl? I half expect him to throw a punch at me for even insinuating that he might entertain the idea. Hell, if she was mine, I’d probably kill any man who suggested something like this to me.
He says something but I’m so caught up in thought that I miss it entirely.
“What was that, Jimmy?”
“And…and you’ll extend my terms?”
Well, shit. This fucker is actually considering it. I can’t believe my ears. Even a semi-decent father would at least throw the proposition in my face and tell me he’d find another way. Apparently, not Jimmy.
It’s good news for me and I’m not complaining, but it only strengthens my resolve to not let just anyone near her, especially someone who doesn’t even think twice about selling her to the highest bidder.
“Yes, Jimmy. I’ll extend your terms.”
“Okay, she’s yours,” he says without a moment of hesitation.
I don’t know whether to shake his hand or throw him out the window. I want her and he’s given her to me, but in doing so, he’s proven that he’s a scumbag who she needs to be protected from at all costs.
Despite the overwhelming desire to dish out violence, I guess sending her father flying out a second-story window to the sidewalk below won’t make a very good first impression. Instead, I pull him close and snarl, “You’re a loser, Jimmy. Always were and always will be. Next time we meet, you’ll have my money or we’ll kill you.”
2
CASSIDY
I don’t know what’s taking him so long, but it can’t be anything good.
It’s my fault that we’re here. My father was going to try to run from this, but when he told me what was going on, I convinced him to come here and ask for an extension. From what he told me, these people are very dangerous and wouldn’t think twice about killing him. He was afraid to face the boss, but I figured it would be even worse if he ran.
There’s a stray kitten out here playing under the streetlight, its tiny paws swatting and pouncing in the air. When it notices me, it tilts its head and just looks at me for a moment. It doesn’t take long for it to continue its playful romp on the cracked pavement.
It makes me sad to see it all alone in the streets, so I coax it over and pick it up, chuckling at the way it’s purring in my arms. I run my fingers through its coat and stroke its head.