Page 64 of Her Selfless Warrior (Omega Sky)
“You mean your bookie wants his cut.”
“Same thing.”
Between Jay’s garlic breath and body odor, and the smell of shit wafting its way from down the hall, Lark wanted out of the building…now!
“You’re right, I can wrangle up some cash. I’ll go to the ATM and meet you and give it to you. Would that be incentive enough for you to give me information?”
His lips compressed into a snarl. “It’d have to be more than some measly three hundred dollars in twenties from an ATM. I want at least two grand.”
Lark laughed. “No way.” She turned and took two steps down the hallway, breathing out of her mouth.
“Fifteen hundred,” Jay yelled after her.
“A grand,” she yelled over her shoulder.
“Fine. A grand.”
She walked back to his door. “But I’m not bringing that kind of money here. Hopkins isn’t the best part of Baltimore and isn’t exactly known for its hospitality. You’re going to have to meet me somewhere safe.”
“Like where?”
“Meet me at the Starbucks on Ashland.”
“That’s too damned far.”
“Suck it up. If you want a thousand dollars, I want a latte.”
* * *
ARE YOU AVAILABLEFOR DINNER THIS WEEKEND?
Lark tingled just reading the text. It was as if she could hear Kostya’s rough velvet voice and that slight sexy accent, right here, talking to her. It had been almost fifteen long nights since the kiss, and every night since then she had replayed being in his arms.
She itched to type back a YES, but she honestly didn’t know. She was too damned worried about Candy. If she found out something, shehadto follow up on the lead.
The door opened again, and Jay Jenson walked in.
It’s a great day in the neighborhood, he’s put on a collared shirt. Who knew that was possible?
He didn’t bother with the line; instead, he scanned the store and headed for her table in the back. Lark found herself wincing at the man again as he adjusted his balls. What in the world had Candy ever seen in this man?
“You got my money?” he demanded as he loomed over her.
“Have a seat and stay awhile.” Lark smiled sweetly.
“You got my money?”
“I said, have a seat.” This time her tone wasn’t so sweet. Her eyes were hard, and he sat down. “Jay, I’ve been thinking; ten Benjamins is a lot of money, and I want my money’s worth. Not only do I want to know all the relatives and friends that Candy might be staying with, I want to know your associates.”
His bushy eyebrows furled. “That’s a no.”
Lark laughed. “If you want your money, you better change that no to a yes.”
He stood up and shoved his fists onto the table, pushing his foul-smelling face into her space. “If you don’t want me following you home and taking that money, and taking whatever else I want, you’ll just hand it over now, like the little scared prissy bitch you are.”
Lark leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and laughed.
“You don’t know my friends. My verygoodfriends. One look at them and you would wet your pants. I didn’t have them come inside with me because I said I could handle this alone, but if I press one button on my cell phone, they’ll come in and rip you apart. I suggest you sit down, Jay.”
