Page 2 of Knot All is Crystal
Scarface shrugs, leaning against the side of the funeral home. “It’s not the boss’s fault that he can’t handle his drugs, dollface.”
As the handsome man steps towards me, my eyes are drawn to the bulk of a harness under his arm, hidden beneath his black blazer.
My stomach bottoms out.
A gun.
He has a fucking gun at a funeral.
I need to end this conversation as quickly as possible before someone gets hurt.
Or worse, Eve finds out what this is about.
“How much does he owe you?”
“Ah, see, that’s the rub.” The handsome man manages to look a little sheepish, and unfortunately, it’s endearing. “He was in deep, sweetie. He wasn’t just using, you understand what I’m saying?”
I rub my hand down my face in frustration. Tension has grown between my shoulder blades, and I want to run and hide. “No, I don’t. Was he dealing?”
“He was gambling, little Omega,” the scarred one quips. “This isn’t about the drugs. He bet the farm and lost. Or rather, the house. Boss bailed him out in exchange for his service. It seems he took the easy way out before he could collect.”
My head aches as it spins with their words, and I rub the bridge of my nose. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
The leader reaches out and puts his hand gently on my shoulder, dropping his gaze to look me in the eye. I shiver at his touch, his proximity leaving me wobbly-kneed. “Your brother-in-law was bailed out of significant debt by Kieran Cobb.”
I roll that name over my tongue. It’s familiar, but I don’t know from what. Before I can ask, he speaks again.
“He owed Kieran a few years of service, and then he died to get out of it. Someone has to be responsible for that debt. I don’t suppose you have, oh… one point two million lying around, do you?”
“What? Of course not.” My head spins. What the fuck was Joseph thinking? How could he get so far into debt?
“I figured as much.” His voice is very calm for a large, imposing man, and he manages to quiet my internal freakout. “Now, Crystal, you’re going to get your sister so we can discuss this.” I nearly melt at the gentleness of his tone.
Why am I reacting like this to this Beta criminal?
I swallow my fears.
“No.”
He grimaces like that was the last thing he wanted to hear from me. “Excuse me?”
“No.” My voice is stronger this time. “We don’t need her. I’ll do it.” I don’t know where this confidence is coming from, but I know I don’t have any other choice. My sister has given up so much for me, and it’s my turn to return the favor. The last thing she needs right now is to have the image of her husband shattered and to wonder how she’s going to get out of this trouble before my niece is born.
My stomach clenches, and I wonder if I would hurl again if there were anything left in my stomach. “Whatever it takes. I’ll take on the debt.”
Scarface sneers. “You don’t know what you’re agreeing to, Omega.”
The leader holds his hand up, silencing his partner. “Are you sure about this, Omega?” he says softly. “This isn’t something you go back from.”
I cross my arms over my chest. What does he expect me to do, hand my sister over? Just walk him right up to her and say, “Hey, Eve, I know your husband just died, but you need to go work for the fucking mob?”
No. This is the only option.
“I’m sure.”
I catch a flash of some unnamed emotion in his eyes. “Looks like you’ve made your decision. I’m going to call the boss.”
He steps away to make a call and only says a few words before he’s back, handing me a business card. “He accepts. Tomorrow, you’ll report here for work. Wear something sexy, Crystal. Kieran can’t wait to meet you.”
