Page 8 of Shadow

“What the fuck just happened?” Shadow runs his hands through his dark brown hair with a grunt.

I feel like I’m in a nightmare. First, Trey tried to trade me like I was on a fucking auction block, he told me to shut the fuck up, so he had to be possessed by the devil. Then to top it all off, I was almost shot. I’ve had some bad days before, but this one takes the cake.

The realization that I have no idea who my boyfriend really is takes me to a dark place. I thought he loved me, but he was willing to give me to some stranger ascollateral. So not only is he an asshole, but a lying one.What the hell?!

My thoughts are spiraling out of control, and I can’t get a grip on reality when suddenly a group of burley men comes charging into the office. They’re all heavily armed, and it takes all of my effort not to piss myself. I’m not sure what Trey has me involved in, but these people aren’t ones to be trifled with.

“Shadow! You good?”

“Yeah. Did ya’ll check the back exit?” Shadow’s slow drawl reminds me of back home, but I shouldn’t be focused on that.

I need to get the hell out of here asap!

“Detroit, go check the door,” one of the men hollers. “Is she okay?” The man frowns at me, and I feel myself shrink under his assessment.

When Shadow’s dark gaze swings to me, I swallow hard. I don’t know these people, and they don’t know me. It’s obvious that I just witnessed some shit that I shouldn’t have. And by the looks of these men, you definitely don’t want to be a witness to anything they’ve done.

Shit! Shit! Shit, a brick!

“She ain’t shot, but I’m pretty sure she’s in shock,” Shadow says, still watching me closely.

“No, no, I—I’m good,” I stutter after finally finding my voice. I hastily wipe at my face trying to dry my tears, but I’m pretty sure I just smeared mascara all over the place.

Lord help me! I can’t let these men think I’m some basket case. And although I have every right to be frantic, I know I have to pull myself together. I might not have any experience with this kinda thing, but I’ve watched enough movies to know staying calm is my best way out of this mess. I have to make them see that I know how to keep a cool head and a shut mouth.

“I don’t know who Everett was to you, but whoever took him could come after you next,” Shadow says with a grim look on his face.

I want to scream that he’s wrong, and even though I don’t know this man, I have a sinking suspicion that he’s telling me the truth.

It’s been about an hour since the shooting, and it took me all of that time to stop crying. But I’m still on edge, especially since this Shadow guy won’t let me leave. Not that I have anywhere to go anyway. If gun-wielding masked men are out to get me, the last place I want to go is back to my apartment.

“Teagan, right?” Shadow asks me, handing me a bottle of water.

“Yeah.” I take the bottle with gratitude and gulp down half.

For some reason, when he looks at me, I feel a comfort that I probably shouldn’t from a stranger— especially one that’s obviously dangerous.

“Listen, is Everett— is he your boyfriend or something?” Shadow questions with a disgusted sneer.

“Not anymore,” I mumble, embarrassed.Shit, I’m disgusted too.

I thought Trey was someone I could count on, but now I know I was wrong. His actions tonight were appalling, and I feel so stupid. I put too much faith in him. He made me believe that he loved and supported me. At this moment, I have to question everything he has ever said and done.

“Hmm. Well, your ex owes the Sinners a lot of money from gambling. A hundred grand, to be exact.” Shadow raises his eyebrow when I gasp.

I knew that Trey liked to gamble, but I thought it was just a fun thing he did every once in a while. If he owes somebody a hundred thousand dollars, it’s not just for fun.

“How? Why… what?” I can’t even form a coherent question.

“Your boy has a serious gambling problem. And not that you aren’t worth a hundred grand, but he knew I wouldn’t let him off without collateral tonight. He set up the meeting because he said he had the money.”

“I had no idea. I—” I shake my head and frown.

I’m fighting back the tears once again because the realization has hit me that Trey has been lying to me from the start. I was as naïve as my parents said I was.

“I don’t know who has him, but not everybody is as generous as us. We don’t deal in flesh, but some people would be happy to takeyouas payment.”

I feel the tears coming again, and a sob breaks from the deepest part of my soul. I was supposed to be celebrating the biggest accomplishment of my life. Now, I might have to leave the city because of Trey.