Page 25

With my hood up and my head down, I quickly walk across the street and head toward the park. It’s late, well past my curfew, but I have to do this. Tonight is my first opportunity to make some extra cash and help my brothers.

I won’t fuck this up.

“It’s about fucking time,” Damien complains when I step to his side.

I frown. “Sorry that I’m not able to just leave my house at a moment’s notice,” I grumble, snatching the sack he holds out to me.

“What’s in this?”

“Don’t,” he barks when I start to pull open the straps holding the bag shut. “The less you know, the better. Just go to this location.” He hands me a piece of paper. “There will be a blacked-out car. Hand this to the passenger, then get the fuck out of there.”

“What about the money?” I ask, putting the sack into the backpack I brought with me.

“The buyer will hand you the cash when you deliver this to them. Just don’t stick around. Get the job done, then leave.”

I nod, anxiety causing my skin to clam up and my palms to become sweaty.

I’m really doing this.

“Get going, kid. I have other people to deal with.” He juts his chin in the direction I’m assuming I need to go.

“O-Okay.” I stumble on my words but refuse to back down from what needs to be done.

I won’t fuck this up.

I continue to repeat these words to myself until I trick myself into believing them.

My family can’t afford for me to make any mistakes. They might not know what I’m doing, but my brothers are relying on me to do this right.

The air is cold with the coming winter. My breath plumes in front of me in a cloud of white. Despite the chill, my body is on fire. My heart is pounding erratically in my chest, echoing in my ears. If I get caught by the cops I’m totally screwed.

I stick to the shadows, which isn’t difficult considering our town doesn’t have many streetlights to begin with. But I’m still scared as all Hell of someone seeing me.

The empty parking lot of the abandoned supermarket is eerie. There is not a person in sight. The black car I’m supposed to be meeting isn’t here either. I pull my phone from my pocket and glance at the time.

They’re supposed to be here.

Maybe I should text Damien. No. He’ll probably tell me I can’t work with him anymore.

I can do this. I won’t fuck this up.

My throat feels raw as I try to swallow the lump choking me.

I guess I just hang out until they show up? What other option do I have?

I can’t just leave. If they decide to show up and I’m gone, Damien would lose his shit. Not to mention, I have no idea who these people are or what they’re capable of.

My ass cheeks instantly chill when I sit on the concrete curb. I extend my legs in front of me and lean back on my hands.

And wait.

I sit there for what feels like forever when I’m blinded by headlights that quickly shut off. The black car doesn’t come close enough for me to see who is inside.

Releasing a shaky breath, I rise to my feet and anxiously make my way toward them. The passenger window lowers, revealing a young man with a buzzed head and deep brown eyes that are almost black. A menacing energy envelops me when his stare meets mine. His gaze is desolate. Utterly inhuman.

The driver hisses in Spanish, startling me.

“Uh, right,” I murmur, sliding the bag from my shoulder to remove whatever it is they’re buying.

Fear and disgust take over when the passengers speaks. “What are you doing here, hermosa?”

I know I’ve heard that word before… what does it mean? I can’t remember a single word from my Spanish class.

I know it’s a term of endearment, but hearing it fall from his mouth is anything but.

Rather than answering, I hold out the sack. His tattooed hand snakes out the window, eyes remaining focused on my face.

There is far too much interest there, and it makes my stomach twist.

The dark, amused chuckle he lets out sends my heart plummeting to the ground.

Get out of there.

Damien’s words enter my mind.

But I don’t have the money.

Do I dare question this man? Self-preservation screams to heed Damien’s warning. But the desperate part of me begs to stay. To finish this and help my family.

Images of my brothers – of a stressed Xander – flash through my mind on repeat.

I can do this. I have to do this.

“Are you going to pay me?” my throat all but strangles me; yet I remain standing. Feigning confidence I don’t have.

Condescension saturates their laughs. Hostility begins rising in my blood.

I might be young and new to this, but I need this money. We need this money.

He drops the envelope onto the ground. It lands at my feet, but I refuse to pick it up until they leave. I refuse to disconnect my stare from his.

“Te veré pronto, chiquita.” With a wink, he rolls his window up. The gravel crunches lightly as they drive away.

As soon as they’re out of sight my entire body turns boneless.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, scooping the money from the ground. Anticipation sizzles as I reach for the flap.

My jaw nearly falls from my face. Heart thundering, my thumb brushes lightly across the top of each bill.

I did it.