Page 32 of Twins for the Enemy

I should be forced to witness it, but I don’t think I can stand it. Every instinct is telling me to return to Kieran’s mansion, which becomes more absurd the more that I think about it. Still, the feeling is stronger than the need to stay.

“Do you have any cash?” I ask. “I need it for the taxi back.”

He shakes his head, though I can see his wallet near the TV. He’s likely saving it to pay Samson, but I shove the anger down. I stand up. I hug him. He half-heartedly pats my shoulder.

I leave his apartment, exhaustion pulling down my bones. It takes me even longer to open the metal door trying to get out than it took me to open it.

As I prepare to cross the parking lot,I see Samson.

His blonde hair whips behind him in the wind, but it’s less noticeable than the crude smile cutting across his face.

“Neal’s sis,” he calls out, stopping in front of me. I try to step around him, but he blocks me. “Your bro owes me nearly five hundred worth of product. How much cash you got on you?”

“Nothing,” I say. “Maybe Neal has something.”

“That man thinks he can give me a twenty and we’re square,” he says. “I’m hopin’ you’re the smarter half.”

“I don’t have anything,” I say.

He looks me up and down, his eyes lingering at the ends of Kieran’s shirt. I cross my hands in front of me like they could protect me.

“I know some clubs that might take you,” Samson says, licking his lips. “They might not be legal and I might take a percent. Might take a few privileges too. But I wouldn’t need to take my frustrations out on your bro. You’d have to prove yourself to me, though.Why don’t you get on your knees and beg me for a little… extension?”

“I’m sure it is little,” I say before I can stop myself. He seizes my hair, yanking my head back.

“Watch that mouth, girl,” he snarls, his spit hitting my face. “This is why you need someone to keep you from—”

“Let her go.”

The voice is so cold; it sends a shiver through me. For a second, I think it’s Neal, snapped back to his old self. But as Samson releases me, turning around, I see it’s Kieran.

How the hell did he find me?

“And what are you gonna do if I don’t?” Samson sneers.

“I know Delgado.”

Samson’s skin turns stark white. “Bullshit.”

“Ask him.” Kieran shrugs, but underneath his calm, rage turns his features sharper anddarker. “He’ll be interested to know you’re on his territory and touching a woman associated with a man he respects. I’m sure you know how his men deal with people they don’t like.”

Samson’s nostrils are flaring, but he takes a few steps back. He glances between us.

“I apologize, Miss Todd. I didn’t realize you were spoken for,” he says, his formality taking me by surprise. He turns around, trying to not look like he’s running, but he’s moving much faster than he was when he was walking toward me.

I cross my arms over my chest. “Do I want to know who Delgado is?”

“Old childhood friend.” Kieran crosses the distance between us. His fingertips barely touch my arm before he drops his hand back to his side. He looks up at the building. “Can I assume that’s your brother’s drug dealer? He doesn’t wait for an answer. “I need a word with him before we go home.”

“Don’t,” I say, grabbing his wrist as he starts to move past me. He glances down at my hand.

“He’s getting you involved in things that are dangerous,” he says. “Which means he’s also endangering my children. He needs to be taught a lesson.”

“I’m here because of my own choices,” I say.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me,” I insist. “Look, I know you see Neal as some worthless addict, but Neal saved me all of the time when I was a kid. It’s the least I can do to help him out now.”

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