Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
They weren’t worse that the last loan. They’d lured me in with lower interest at first. “I’m not a risk. You know I have the money.”
“I know you make a solid paycheck. If you don’t blow the money on something else, you can give it to us, but your track record is not so good.”
He was right, but his doubts made me angry anyway. “I’m going to pay the debt. I know I fucked up, but I didn’t work so hard to get where I am to blow it. I’ve got it together now.”
His smile softened. “I believe you.”
“Then let’s talk about this interest rate.”
He shook his head. “No, that’s the standard way we operate. As long as you make regular payments, we won’t have a problem, will we?”
I hated the fact that my hand was shaking as I gripped the pen. “I need time to read this.”
“Fine.” He leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the desk again.
“You’re just going to sit there and watch me?”
“What else would you like me to do? I’m not going leave you alone here for long. I might leave long enough to get you a snack if you’ve changed your mind.”
My stomach was in a knot. There was no way in hell I could eat anything, and the thought of swallowing a bitter cup of coffee made me gag. “Why don’t you go get yourself some coffee?”
He shook his head. “I’d rather watch you.”
I felt his eyes on me as I read over the terms. I didn’t understand all the legal jargon. I mostly paid attention to the numbers he’d filled in. I would have to hope there wasn’t something in here that was fucking me over even more than the outrageous interest rate.
What was I doing? Maybe I should send a partial payment back to Vegas and hope it was enough to keep them off my back for a few months.
I looked up at Vito. There was heat in his eyes as he watched me, and before I could speak, I had to swallow to get some moisture in my mouth. “I think I should handle this problem on my own.”
He shook his head. “Sign it, Zeke. Let me help you.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“For one thing, it’s profitable. For another, it’s a good way to keep you close. I want you safe. If you’re going to be mine, then I need to make sure no one has any reason to harm you.”
He was insane, psychotic. Why was I even considering this? I wanted to point out that if he cared so much he wouldn’t be charging me such an exorbitant fee for the money, but I knew I wouldn’t get anywhere with that, and the last thing I wanted was to be more beholden to him than the rest of his clients.
There had to be someone else who would at least lend me part of what I needed. I could call my friend for another name. If I signed this contract, I would never get rid of Vito, even after the debt was paid.
He was already stalking me, telling me I’d eventually give in to him. If I kept willingly seeing him, meeting him to make payments, he was right, I would eventually give in. Despite what he was doing, I wanted him.
I stood, and Vito raised his brows.
“Thank you for the offer, but I will handle my problem another way.” I backed toward the door, and he held my gaze. I expected him to come after me and restrain me like he had before, but he didn’t more.
When I reached the door, he smiled. “You’ll be back.”
I yanked open the door and took off, half expecting him to chase me. Once I’d made it to my car, I sped out of there as fast as I could.
11
VITO
While Zeke read through the contract, I’d messaged one of our guards asking him to place a tracker on Zeke’s car.
I watched on my phone as Zeke left the parking lot and headed to the practice facility, waiting until the flashing dot stopped and stayed still to send him a text.
I miss you already.
When five minutes passed without a response, I assumed he was going to ignore me. Then, just as I was leaving for the arena with the contract tucked in my jacket pocket, my phone buzzed.
Stop texting me.
He might as well have begged me to text, to call, and to visit him. If he really wanted me gone, he’d ignore me. But he couldn’t stay away any more than I could.
Nice to know you miss me too.
I watched the screen. Nothing. A moment passed. Then pulsing dots appeared and finally…
No, I don’t.
Oh baby, you couldn’t make yourself clearer.
Stay away from me.
Impossible.
I pulled into a parking spot at the practice facility and headed inside to watch him practice.