Page 20 of Blood Money

Since he still held a hand over my mouth, I glared. Then I glanced to the street to see if anyone was paying attention to what was going on in the alley. Of course, no one so much as looked this way as they passed.

I mumbled against his hand, but it was pressed so hard against my mouth that my words were unintelligible.

“Don’t you fuckin’ scream. You hear me?” he snarled.

As best I could, I nodded.

Slowly, he peeled his hand away. My nose curled at the thought of his filthy palm over my mouth.

“I don’t have your money. And even if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you. Tell your boss he can go to hell,” I sneered hatefully. My heart might have been racing and on the verge of exploding, but I wouldn’t let it show.

“You’re not too bright, are you?” His gaze narrowed.

“I’m bright enough to know my grandmother has nothing to pay you for. So fuck off. She doesn’t need yourprotection,” I spat.

“You little—”

“Hey! What the hell is going on back here?” A man in a suit came striding down the alley toward us.

My attacker seemed to suddenly shrink before my eyes. He cast a worried glance at the guy, then stepped back and released me.

“We were talking business,” Spinelli muttered, not making eye contact.

“Well, yourbusinessis done, understand?” The guy was intimidating, but I was worried for him because he had no idea who this Spinelli worked for.

So I was surprised to see Spinelli rush off, much like a dog with its tail between its legs.

“Are you okay?” the man asked, concern lacing his words.

He was tall and broad, with dark mocha hair and warm brown eyes. There was a familiarness about him that I couldn’t put my finger on. I didn’t know him, but there was still something….

“I’m… yeah, I’m fine. Thank you for coming to my rescue,” I said with a relieved sigh. With my hands steepled, I pressed the seam to my lips and huffed out heavily. Then I shook off my still-rattled nerves and swallowed hard. “He just shook me up is all.”

“Anytime,” he replied with a grin as he held out his hand. “I’m Konstantin Woodsman, at your service.”

I reached out to shake his hand, which dwarfed mine. “Well, it’s a pleasure. I’m sorry to run out on you after you so gallantly rescued me, but I’m on my way to see my grandmother.”

His lips twitched at whatever secret amusement he had in his head. “Then I’ll let you be on your way, but stay on the path and be careful of strangers.”

My brows pinched, and I gave him a confused smile. “Um, okay. I’ll do that. And if you’re in the area tomorrow, and you’re so inclined, you can stop by the bakery, and I’ll hook you up with something to show my appreciation.”

“You own the bakery?” he asked with a tilt of his head. He was rather handsome, though I found my traitorous soul wishing he had smoky blue eyes.

“No, my grandmother does. I’m just visiting, but I’ll be helping out there for a bit tomorrow,” I explained.

“Ahhh,” he drew out with a slight smirk. “Until tomorrow, then.”

“Have a good day, and thank you again.” I gave him a little wave.

When I stepped out of the alley, I was still shaken. It left me overly cautious, and I kept looking over my shoulder the entire way to the train.

“Dangerous”—Seether

Present Day….

“You’re selling drugs in my neighborhood? In mybusiness?” I asked the young punk who we’d caught selling meth in our area. Worse than that, it was in one of our nightclubs. Dario had the soldiers who brought him in chain the prick to the wall in the basement of a run-down house we owned just for such events. My gaze was narrowed, and I was pissed. Both because Luciano had warned me and because it was fucking true.

“This ain’t all your territory,” the kid replied, too snarky for his own good. “This ain’t the fuckin’ Roarin’ Twenties. The Mafia doesn’t run shit anymore.”

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