Wretched (Never After Series)(25)

She slips her gun into its place before dropping the skirt back down and smoothing her hands over the fabric. “To answer your earlier question, skirts allow easy access.” She looks up at me. “But you know that already, remember?”

Flashes of me pushing her skirt up around her hips and sinking into her race through me, and I bite the inside of my cheek, my cock now so hard it aches.

Before I can even formulate a thought, she opens the door and hops out.

“Come on, stalker. Let’s go get our dues.”





12





EVELINE





Benny Anderson is a short man with an attitude. He thinks because he’s lived in Kinland for the majority of his life that means he runs the place and everyone in it. Out of all the people we deal with on the streets, he’s by far the worst. But he does have connections and he is one of our middlemen, the guy all our low-level drug dealers grab their inventory from, and the ones they pay their dues to.

The fewer people who have direct contact with us, the better.

Normally, I’m not the one even doing these pickups. But when there’s a need, here I am, and the fact that Benny’s drop was short fifteen grand creates the need for a special visit.

My gut pinches as we walk inside Anderson’s sub shop, the weight of my Desert Eagle heavy where it sits against my thigh. I glance over at Brayden, irritation twitching beneath the surface of my skin at just the sight of him. I really, really, don’t want him here.

In all honesty, I wanted this to be a solo gig. I don’t need muscle to back me up, and if there’s going to be some, I’d rather have Zeke at my side. I’m not fully convinced Brayden wouldn’t use me as a shield to protect himself instead.

Brayden whips by me as we walk, cutting in front of me to grab the door first. He grips the handle and yanks it open, the bell above the door jingling. For just a moment, I think he’s showing chivalry, holding it open for me to walk through, but when I step forward, he lets go, slamming the door in my face.

Asshole.

I fling my foot out, wedging it in the crack before it shuts completely, and grab the knob, stepping inside. Brayden’s already in the center of the room, ignoring me completely.

The smell of deli meat is strong and it makes my stomach churn. As I walk through the room, I meet the eyes of patrons scattered throughout the various small white circular tables, not missing the way they all avert their stares, taking small glimpses when they think I’m not paying attention.

Holding my head high, I push my shoulders back and step up to the front register, next to where Brayden’s already lounging against the counter.

He crosses his arms, staring out at the room, the muscle in his jaw pulsing. “Why are they looking at you like that?”

I glance behind me, ignoring the way my palms start to sweat when I wonder what they’re thinking. Nothing good, I’m sure. “What other people think of me is none of my business.”

He makes a face, twisting toward me and lifting a brow. “That sounds like something someone says when they care too much.” He moves closer to me. “You don’t care what I think about you?”

“I’d rather you didn’t think of me at all.”

He grins, that stupid boyish smile that lights up his eyes and shows the obnoxiously perfect dimples in his cheeks. “So you do care.”

“Do you ever shut up?” I snap, slamming my hand on the little bell.

“Do you ever stop being such a bitch?” he hits back.

I grind my teeth as I stare up at the blackboard menu written in dark-green chalk.

“What can I get you?” a spritely voice asks.

I look back down, seeing the fresh face of a young girl, her eyes flicking from me to the gnat at my side, cheeks flushing slightly when they linger on Brayden.

Something pinches in my chest.

“Where’s Benny?” I ask.

“Oh,” she says, her blonde brows scrunching. “I’m not, uh, I’m not sure if he’s available.”

“I didn’t ask if he was ‘available,’ I asked where he was.”

Her customer service grin drops and my stomach tightens, knowing she’s about to piss me off. She opens her mouth, but before she speaks, Brayden cuts in, resting an elbow on the table, and leaning toward her. “What’s your name?”

Her smile reblooms like a flower in the sun. “Amanda.”

“Really?” He tilts his head, his gaze obviously scanning the length of her body. “Suits you.”

Her grin widens, and my chest burns.

“And blonde too?” His eyes flick to me as he places a palm over his heart. “My weakness.”

I narrow my gaze.

“Listen, I’m sure you can tell that this one”—he points his thumb in my direction—“isn’t the most pleasant person to be around. And the faster we see Benny, the quicker I can get rid of her.”

My brows shoot to my hairline and I cross my arms.

“So if you could just go find him, and let him know Eveline Westerly is here, you’d really be helping me out.” He winks. “Free me up faster for better things.”

The blush staining her cheeks is painful and disgustingly predictable.

“Su-sure,” she stutters. “Let me go find him.”