Page 79 of Burn Bag

“They’re here,” Eli announced as other vehicles pulled in.

I tore myself away from the cage, worried I wouldn’t be able toallow the transfer if I stayed by his side. I was growing attached to the cat and I’d only just met him. He was just so cute.

Both parties got out of their vehicles and came over, examining the cats. Nerves fluttered in my stomach as I watched the buyers study them like prized horses instead of adorable animals.

“They’ll do.”

“Good. However, there’s been a change in price. I’m now asking $125,000 a piece,” the seller announced.

I sucked in a breath at the astronomical price. Why had it gone up?

“That’s not what we agreed upon,” the buyer scowled.

“Yes, but I had to pay for special transport for the animals.”

“You’re still making a hefty profit.”

I watched them argue back and forth, and considered that I could solve this pretty easily. “Why don’t you just show him the documentation from where you purchased them?”

Both parties turned to me and Bradley stepped in front of me, cutting me off from their view.

“Ignore her. She’s not part of this.”

“No, she’s right,” the buyer said. “If they’re really worth so much, you won’t mind showing me the original purchase agreement.”

“I didn’t bring it with me.”

I stepped out from behind Bradley and walked over to the buyer. “Honestly, without the documentation, there’s no guarantee these aren’t Savannah cats, which are worth at most $25,000 a piece. You would be overpaying by a hundred thousand dollars for each.”

“What is she talking about?” the buyer asked.

“Daphne,” Bradley muttered, tugging me back to him. “This isn’t part of our job. Keep your mouth shut.”

“Why? So he can scam this man out of money? Technically, it’s hard to prove these cats are any different without genetic testing. I looked into it. So, if he doesn’t have the paperwork, why should this man pay above what the agreed price was?”

“This has nothing to do with us,” Bradley hissed.

“She’s right. Produce the paperwork or I’m not paying a dime over twenty-five grand.”

Grinning, I was rather pleased with myself. And they say honesty isn’t the best policy. Seriously, it sure seemed like what everyone here needed was a large dose of honesty.

“Look,” the seller stepped forward, now fuming. “You wanted the best. You said you needed the best fighters, and now you’re trying to back out?”

“Fighters?” I gasped. I spun to face the buyer. “You’re going to use them to fight?”

Bradley tugged me back, but I jerked out of his grasp as Eli and Red stepped in to diffuse the situation.

“How could you do that to these animals? They’re not fighters! They’re just sweet cats!”

“Daphne!”

But I refused to listen to Bradley. This was not okay, and there was no way I was going to let them buy these cats. “I’ll pay twenty-five thousand for them.”

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Bradley spat.

I turned to face him, the tears already filling my eyes. “You can’t let him buy them for this. It’s not right.”

“It’s not, but I’m not paying that much money for cats!”

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