Page 19 of IOU

Huh. I expected more. Most of the time, they come to me when they are nearing eviction.

“I need the money by tonight,” he adds, his thick neck working to swallow his nerves.

Frankly, I couldn’t give a fuck when he needs the money. I’m never rushed. “I take thirty percent to be repaid in thirty days plus your IOU.”

They aren’t good terms for Todd, but they are very profitable terms for me.

He nods reluctantly. “I can do that.”

I reach into my back pocket and fish out a card and a Sharpie, writing the words IOU across the back. I slide it to the edge of the table. “Give your number to Sebastian.” I nod to Bash just in case this kid doesn’t know him. “He’ll send you the info.”

“But I need the money by tonight!”

Again, I don’t fucking care.

“You get the money when I say you get the money. Unless you want to add a rush fee?”

I finger another card.Don’t do it, kid. Don’t get that desperate.

He shakes his head. “I can wait.”

They always can. Even if I do plan on giving him the money tonight—I do honor deals after all—I don’t like being rushed, especially when I’m eating. “Number?”

He calls out the numbers, and Sebastian begrudgingly types it into his phone.

“We’ll be in touch,” I say, dismissing him by picking up my fork and taking a bite. Fuck. Now it’s cold. I sigh into my plate just as Todd scampers off.

“Why do you let them ask for favors at any time of the day?”

I level Rowan with a look. “The best ones always come at the worst time. Nothing beats a desperate soul willing to do anything for a favor.”

“Yeah, but ...”

“Better here than my house.” I wave off his annoyed look and move the food around on my plate. “This shit’s cold,” I whine.

“No one cares. If you hadn’t been calling out for your demon friends earlier, you would have had most of it eaten by now.”

Sebastian, always the smartass.

“Again, I was not chanting. I was brainstorming.”

His eyes go squinty. “You were chanting.”

I go to argue, but Rowan beats me to it. “Just shut up and eat. We’re ready to leave.”

Leave or play poker? I guess it doesn’t matter. I accomplished the majority of what I needed to do tonight.

“Ask that waitress to reheat your food.”

I catch Sebastian’s half-assed concern and follow his finger to where it’s pointing to the brunette we saw arguing earlier behind the bar.

“Excuse me, Miss,” calls Sebastian. She turns, pausing just a moment like she isn’t sure if she should acknowledge him. “Yeah, you. Come here.”

I feign interest in her snug white top with a large brown stain down the front. Did she go to the back and throw down with the blonde? If so, I’m impressed.

“Can I help you, gentlemen?”

Rowan makes a disbelieving sound. We’re no gentlemen.

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