Page 27 of Black Jack (Advantage Play 5)

9

Bianca

For someone raised around crime and knows more criminals than the average drug dealer, I’ve only been here a handful of times. But maybe the officer will give us more privacy if he thinks I’m interested in him. I can feel him checking me out as he opens the door to the large rectangular visitor’s room. The way his eyes dilate. The way his breathing is getting heavier. The way his tongue darts out between his lips. I force a smile and look up at him.

“Thank you so much, Officer Jackson,” I purr, “for your help, and your service.”

“Don’t mention it.” His gaze rolls over my low cut top and short skirt. “Take a seat. Your brother will be let in from the opposite side.”

“Thank you, Officer.”

Seconds after my ass hits the cold metal chair, the door that separates the inmates and me buzzes to reveal Dominic.

He strides in like he owns the place, then cocks his head to the side. “You here to show me the marriage certificate?”

Way to get to the point, Dom, I think to myself as I sit up a little straighter and clear my throat. “There won’t be a marriage certificate.”

His gaze narrows into tiny slits before he sits across from me and rests his steepled fingers in front of him. “I know that look, Bianca.”

“Then you know I won’t budge on this, Dom,” I return.

“Yes, you will.”

“No. I won’t.”

“You will because it’s your only option.”

“It isn’t––”

“It is.” He leans forward and forces me to look him in the eye. “You’re a used-up prostitute who refuses to work for a new pimp since your previous employer was murdered. The only thing you’re good for now are the secrets inside of this little brain.” His hands are still cuffed together as he lifts them into the air and taps his forefinger against my temple.

I jerk away, but keep my lips pulled into a thin line.

With a sinister grin, he continues. “We’re going to use those secrets to make a lot of money, Bianca. We clear?”

“I’m not marrying him. He’s an ass.”

“I don’t care if he’s an abusive asshole who prefers dick over pussy,” he replies, keeping his voice low, yet conversational. “You’re marrying him.”

“I’m worth more than being used as a pawn for you.”

“No, you’re not.” His chuckle grates on my nerves as he shakes his head back and forth. “If you were, you would’ve been able to find a man on your own that had the power to get me out of this cell.”

“You got yourself here.”

Teeth clenching, he snarls, “We’ve both made mistakes, little sister. And now, we’re going to get each other out of them. Understand?”

He can’t be serious. I’ve never asked anything from him.

I know I’m playing with fire right now, but I’m so wrung out from everything that’s been going on that I can’t help myself.

“And if I don’t?” I whisper.

“Then I send the blackmail you’ve gifted me with before you’re ready, and you end up in a body bag.”

The fear that swells in my stomach is like an overblown balloon. It’s seconds from bursting, and once it does, I’ll be torn apart just like the rubber that once held too much helium. If only I could keep it together long enough to float away and disappear forever.

My eyelids flutter while I try to get a grip on myself. “So, that’s it, Dom?”