Page 2 of Devil's Deal

His big green eyes brimmed with tears. “I do. But…” That fear clouded his eyes again.

“What if I could help you get to her? Wouldn’t you like that?” Again, I turned on the charm.

“But I don’t have any money or my—” He cut himself off, eyes widening. He remembered what I’d said in produce. He thought Dr. Harry was my chiropractor, my doctor. The kid was probably shit-scared to talk smack about him.

“Look, kid. I don’t know what’s going on with you. All I know is that your sister misses you. She wants you to come live with her. My job is to get you there.”

His tongue snaked out and licked at his lips again. Hope was starting to replace the fear. But he was wary, as he should be. “I-I don’t know you. I’m not going anywhere with you. Why should I even trust you?”

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a driver’s license, a copy of his driver’s license, to be exact. I handed it to him with the keys to the car I’d rolled up in. I pushed both into his hands. “There’s a silverNissan Sentraparked out in the fourth row. First car next to all those spaces for grocery pick-up only.”

He glared at the license like he’d never seen his own face before. “Where did you get this? Why would you help me? Who are you? Did my sister hire you?”

Ignoring his questions, I continued, “In the glove box, you’ll find some money and a plane ticket. Go straight to JFK airport. When you get there, park in long-term parking and leave the keys under the seat. Do you understand me?”

“Why should I believe you?”

“You’ll also find a phone in the glove box. Call your sister. She’ll tell you.”

“How do I know you’re not trying to kidnap me or something?”

My gaze hardened. My patience was wearing thin. “And would that be any worse than where you are now?”

He stumbled back, bumping into his cart. “But you said that?—”

I cut him off with a wave of my hand. Yeah, yeah, I said his chiropractor boyfriend was my doctor. “Don’t worry about what I said. I lied. Take what I gave you and go. Don’t look back, Jamie. Do you hear me?”

He nodded. “Yes. Yes. I hear you.” He turned, abandoning the cart.

“Wait.” Might as well make my life easier. “I’m going to need the keys to Harry’s.”

“Why?”

“Does it matter? Call your sister. She’ll know you’re coming.”

The first tear spilled and slipped down his cheek. “I want to believe you. So bad. But…but the last time I believed someone…” He trailed off.

“The last time you believed someone, he hurt you, right?” I asked gently, going for more reassuring than get-the-fuck-out-of-here-while-you-have-a-chance.

He nodded.

“Harry?”

He nodded again.

The rage burned through me, but outwardly, I remained calm, placid. “Give me his keys, Jamie.”

He shoved his hand into his pocket and handed them over. “But you’ll need the code.”

I didn’t. I already had it. Harry, the chiropractor, was an easy man to figure out. Pretentious, predictable, as good as dead. “Don’t you worry about me. And, Jamie, he's been using your phone to track your every move. Do yourself a favor and call your sister, then check for the ticket and the cash. Once you know I'm telling the truth, toss the phone in the parking lot, get in the car and go.”

He stared at me until I gave him a little shooing motion with my hands. This time he turned, and he ran.

I waited a few moments and then went out, happy to see the car I’d left for him was gone. Strolling over, I found his cell phone, screen cracked, lying next to where the car had been. Good for him. I pocketed the electronic device and took it with me.Nothing to see here, Harry. Jamie’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to be.

Now it was a matter of waiting on Harry. Since I sent the redhead off with the car I’d arrived in, it was time for a walk. That was fine. I had plenty of time to kill until Dr. Harry got home. By the time I made it to the monstrosity he called a house, I’d settled inside. Calmed. The rage had simmered down to a low, gentle roll. This was a job like any other.

After sliding on gloves, I let myself into the house. I put in the alarm code—because of course he used his birthday—and began my search. The inside of the house was as ostentatious as the outside. Seriously, it was a good thing this guy went after the young and vulnerable. No one with a shred of self-worth would buy what this guy was selling. It was all such a sham, a façade to make him feel important, ridiculousness.

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