10. Zeke

10

ZEKE

I didn’t know why I was telling him all this. It wasn’t like I had to. He wouldn’t really stop me from leaving, would he? How serious was he about customers not walking away once they contacted his family? I’d known he was dangerous from the moment I saw him. What did it say about my fucking luck that he was the kind of dangerous man I needed right now?

He already knew I was desperate. What difference did it make if he got the details? He would give me the money, I was sure of that, but then he’d have even more reason to follow me, and I’d have even more chances to give in to what I wanted.

Don’t do it.

They’re going to come after me. I need to pay them everything.

Vito is a danger to you too.

“How much do you need?” he asked.

I stared at him for a moment, not wanting to admit how bad it was.

“I can’t draw up a loan contract if you don’t tell me how much you need to borrow.”

I took a deep breath and swallowed. His gaze tracked the movement of my throat, and I forgot what I was supposed to say for a moment.

“The amount, Zeke.”

I told him and he gave a loud whistle. “You really did get yourself in trouble.”

“I told you I was stupid, but I’m good for it. I can pay you back.”

“For an amount like this, I’m supposed to get my father’s approval.”

“Oh.” My heart hammered. I was in so fucking deep, even a loan shark wasn’t going to give me what I needed.

“What the fuck were they doing out there loaning you this much?”

“I didn’t get it all at once. I borrowed some and then as if I hadn’t been stupid enough, I got mixed up in some private gambling rings I had no business in. I thought I was a hell of a lot more skilled than I am. I should have stuck to hockey.”

“It can be easy to get in over your head. That’s what they count on.”

For a moment, his kindness felt like a warm blanket, then I remembered he counted on people getting in over their heads too. That’s how he made money. “I’m fixing my life now. I just need the money to pay off my debts up front. I can show you what I earn here.”

He held up a hand. “That’s not necessary. I know what you’re making or at least close to it, and I know you could pay this back. But it’s a lot and we have to trust you.”

“I thought you just promised to kill me if I couldn’t pay.”

He laughed. “It’s not really good for business to kill everybody. We do need to actually bring some of the money back in. That’s kind of the whole point of making a living off interest, you know?”

“Right. Sure.” I had no doubt they killed some of their clients, though. That made the other clients that much more willing to pay.

“How do I know you won’t gamble away what I give you?”

Because I couldn’t. I had to turn my life around. “I haven’t placed any bets in months. I haven’t even been tempted since I got here. I’m going straight, I swear.”

“Not too straight, I hope.”

I tried to ignore his salacious smile. “Please. I need this loan.”

“I like how you ask so politely. I think I could make an exception for you and go ahead and approve it.”

“You can?” Fuck, I sounded way too eager.

“Of course. You already know I like you.”

Why did I feel like I was signing away a lot more than money? What else was he going to ask of me? “I’m going to need a payment plan.”

“What terms would you suggest?” The predatory smile he gave me had me suppressing a shiver.

“What do you normally offer?”

“This isn’t a normal offer. I’m making it special just for you, so tell me what you need.”

There was no question about it. I was making a deal with the devil. “I need three months before repayment starts and then if you split it into ten payments, I swear I’ll make them on time.”

“And?”

“And that’s it. When the money is paid back, the contract is finished.”

He looked me up and down for a moment. “I’m not sure those terms are acceptable to me.”

“You’re lending me money, and I’ve told you how I can pay it back.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Are you going to lend me the money under those terms or not?”

His smile widened. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep you safe, but it would be nice if you were more appreciative of that.”

“I do appreciate it. I can get you season tickets.”

“What if I told you I already have them?”

I exhaled. Of course he did. “The better to stalk me with?”

He just smiled.

“I need you to stop.”

“Really? You wouldn’t miss me?”

“I told you, if I’d known you were a Marchesi, I wouldn’t have come here.”

“If you’d met with my brother, you would have never known.” His fist tightened as he said it. Did the idea of me meeting his brother make him angry? Why? Did he think I’d like his brother better than him? Was he just as gorgeous?

Jesus, it was bad enough I was horny for one of them. I didn’t need to start fantasizing about having them both. “You wouldn’t have known I’d borrowed money either.”

“I would’ve seen your name on the list of clients, and Val would have gone to our father for an amount like this.”

I’d intended to give the fake name I’d given for the appointment, but I realized that was stupid. They could easily use an image of me to find out who I was. I wouldn’t have been able to hide.

“This is a terrible idea.” I started to stand up again, and he shook his head.

“Put your ass back in that seat.” He turned the paper he’d been filling out so it was right side up for me and pointed to a line at the bottom. “Sign it.”

“I need to read it first.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

He looked as trustworthy as a cat with a mouse. “Absolutely not.”

“That’s wise. But the terms are as you stated.”

I sucked in my breath when I saw the interest rate. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I never kid about business. Are those worse terms than you were offered in Vegas? You are a bit of a risk, you know.”

They weren’t worse that the last loan. They’d lured me in with lower interest at first. “I’m not a risk. You know I have the money.”

“I know you make a solid paycheck. If you don’t blow the money on something else, you can give it to us, but your track record is not so good.”

He was right, but his doubts made me angry anyway. “I’m going to pay the debt. I know I fucked up, but I didn’t work so hard to get where I am to blow it. I’ve got it together now.”

His smile softened. “I believe you.”

“Then let’s talk about this interest rate.”

He shook his head. “No, that’s the standard way we operate. As long as you make regular payments, we won’t have a problem, will we?”

I hated the fact that my hand was shaking as I gripped the pen. “I need time to read this.”

“Fine.” He leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the desk again.

“You’re just going to sit there and watch me?”

“What else would you like me to do? I’m not going leave you alone here for long. I might leave long enough to get you a snack if you’ve changed your mind.”

My stomach was in a knot. There was no way in hell I could eat anything, and the thought of swallowing a bitter cup of coffee made me gag. “Why don’t you go get yourself some coffee?”

He shook his head. “I’d rather watch you.”

I felt his eyes on me as I read over the terms. I didn’t understand all the legal jargon. I mostly paid attention to the numbers he’d filled in. I would have to hope there wasn’t something in here that was fucking me over even more than the outrageous interest rate.

What was I doing? Maybe I should send a partial payment back to Vegas and hope it was enough to keep them off my back for a few months.

I looked up at Vito. There was heat in his eyes as he watched me, and before I could speak, I had to swallow to get some moisture in my mouth. “I think I should handle this problem on my own.”

He shook his head. “Sign it, Zeke. Let me help you.”

“Why would you want to do that?”

“For one thing, it’s profitable. For another, it’s a good way to keep you close. I want you safe. If you’re going to be mine, then I need to make sure no one has any reason to harm you.”

He was insane, psychotic. Why was I even considering this? I wanted to point out that if he cared so much he wouldn’t be charging me such an exorbitant fee for the money, but I knew I wouldn’t get anywhere with that, and the last thing I wanted was to be more beholden to him than the rest of his clients.

There had to be someone else who would at least lend me part of what I needed. I could call my friend for another name. If I signed this contract, I would never get rid of Vito, even after the debt was paid.

He was already stalking me, telling me I’d eventually give in to him. If I kept willingly seeing him, meeting him to make payments, he was right, I would eventually give in. Despite what he was doing, I wanted him.

I stood, and Vito raised his brows.

“Thank you for the offer, but I will handle my problem another way.” I backed toward the door, and he held my gaze. I expected him to come after me and restrain me like he had before, but he didn’t more.

When I reached the door, he smiled. “You’ll be back.”

I yanked open the door and took off, half expecting him to chase me. Once I’d made it to my car, I sped out of there as fast as I could.