Page 7 of Empire State Enemies

I suck in a breath, trying to think straight. So he doesn’t want me as a prostitute. . . he wants me as athief?

“Let me get this straight—you want me to seduce some guy and steal his keys, so you can steal his car?” I ask slowly, grappling with the words coming out of my mouth.

“You catch on real fast.” He grins, like he’s just proposed a harmless round of crazy golf. “Knew you were a smart cookie under all that prickly attitude.”

“Absolutely fucking not. Not happening.”

He shifts impatiently. “Thought you wanted to help your poor mom.” He flicks the envelope against his knee carelessly, like it’s not a huge wad of cash that could solve all my problems.

Benjamin Franklin is in there, winking up at me. I need that money. Otherwise, we’re screwed—Mom gets evicted without care, I quit work to care for her, Grace abandons school to help. With no income, we’ll spiral fast.

“We square away the debt if you do this. Slate wiped completely clean.”

I stare at him. “If I do this, the debt magically disappears? Just like that?”

“That’s right, sweetheart.”

A thrill shoots through me thinking of the breathing room. But my stomach knots up. How did my life unravel like this? I’d almost rather sleep with the sleazeball. “There’s got to be another way.”

“It’s a one-time deal. Take it or leave it.” He starts the engine, signaling he’s done. “Plenty of girls would jump at this. Time’s ticking. Make up your mind.”

“Wait,” I choke out. “I’m not sure I can pull this off.”

Deano gives me a look that’s almost kind. “Trust me, the guy won’t even notice one car missing from his collection. Justlast month, he blew a cool million in Vegas. Your part is minor. Worst case? He’ll think he lost his keys during a drunken bender.”

“That doesn’t make it okay.”

My head spins. I’d be an accomplice to grand theft auto, and we ain’t talking a beat-up station wagon here.

“Stop stressing that little head,” he purrs. “Some of these guys actually pay us to lift their cars for the insurance money. They get bored with last year’s model and want the latest thing. You’re basically doing the guy a solid.”

I let out a strangled laugh. “Yeah, I’m sure he’ll be super grateful when he finds his ride missing.”

Deano chuckles. At least one of us is getting a kick out of this nightmare.

I let out a frustrated groan, slumping back in my seat. This kind of stuff only happens in movies, not real life. One minute I’m trying to figure out what’s for dinner, the next I’m cast in the nextFast and Furious.

Looking up at our apartment, I catch Grace twirling around like she’s got no cares in the world. Mental note: remind her to shut the curtains.

“Bossman’s got his eye on Grace, you know. Thinks she’s pretty. He’s interested in taking her out.”

Fury blazes through me. “You tellBossmanhe can go to hell. None of you are getting anywhere near my sister, got it?”

In an instant, Deano’s demeanor shifts. He grabs my chin, pulling me closer. I try to jerk away but his grip is iron. “Let’s not forget—you still owe interest,” he says softly, fingers digging in. “My partners aren’t as forgiving as I am. We wouldn’t want anything bad happening to your sister or mom, especially given her health situation.”

His eyes flick meaningfully toward my apartment. The thinly veiled threat paralyzes me.

“I’ll try,” I whisper through numb lips.

“There’s a good girl.” He leans back, satisfied with setting the scene for his next thrilling episode of “Let’s Fuck Up Lexi’s Life.”

“When?” I rasp.

“Tonight.”

“Are youinsane?”

He actually has the nerve to chuckle. “I was thinking next week, but you look like you could use a night out right now.” His gaze sweeps over me. “Take your time getting cleaned up, if you own anything nice. Those ripped jeans might be a hit with me, but I doubt he’ll be into them.”