Page 72 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

Silence descends on the line, and I’m afraid I’ll hear a dial tone any second.

“I’ll be there.”

“Good.” I hang up, and my body sags against the bar with relief.

“One down?” Claude asks.

“One down.”

I pick up the phone again and dial Billy’s number. My heart beats faster with every ring.

What if he’s not there?

Three.

What if he tells me no?

Four.

Everything in me screams to hang up the phone.

Click.

“Deliveries.” The stern voice on the other end of the line sounds irritated at my intrusion.

“It’s Quinn. I need to talk to him.” A tremor sneaks into my tone, and I chase it away. I can’t show weakness. Not now.

“About what? He’s busy.”

The confidence from the whiskey falters, and I stumble, hitching in a breath. I shove aside whatever uncertainty remains and steel my voice. “Tell him if he wants his fucking money, he needs to talk to me. Now.”

“Hold on.” The line goes quiet, but I can dimly hear the distant shouts echoing through the room on the other end.

Drumming my fingers on the bar, I wait anxiously. A few tense seconds pass. Claude watches me from the corner of his eye, his face etched with concern. I offer a hesitant smile, which he returns.

I’m still not confident this plan of Grant’s will work, but I have to hope he knows what the hell he’s doing.

“Quinn.” Billy’s deep, silken voice drifts over me like an oil slick, leaving me feeling absolutely filthy. “I hope you have my money.”

“I have what you requested.” I grit my teeth to keep from telling him to go to hell.

“Where is it?”

“Come to the Black Penny at nine and you can have it.”

He clicks his tongue in irritation. “You don’t get to make demands, dear sister.”

“I am not your sister.” The vehement declaration comes out in a hiss. “If you want it, then you’ll come get it at nine.”

I hold my breath. This whole thing could go sideways if I say too much. Billy knows me too well. He taught me how to lie, how to steal. There’s nothing about me he doesn’t know. I’m an open fucking book, and he’s read every line.

“Very well. I’ll see you at nine.”Click.

My breath whooshes out of my lungs when he disconnects the call.

“Good news?” Claude places another shot in front of me.

“Yup.” I down it and grimace at the strong flavor. “I probably shouldn’t drink any more. I need to be sober when they show up.”

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