Page 97 of Payback
“No!”
“Alison!”
“Tell me what’s happening,” I insisted.
“You’re not the one in charge here.”
“Well, since you can’t get up and don’t have the strength to punish me, I am,” I retorted, then stepped back, leaning against the dresser behind me. “I want answers.”
He shot me a glare, shaking his head. “I don’t have time for that.”
“Then give me something! What even did that to you?”
“A knife,” he told me.
“Why was there a knife in your back?”
“A relic from the past,” he retorted.
“Not funny!”
“No, and neither is being stuck on this couch. You won’t be able to sit down for a week if you don’t help me get up right now!” he threatened.
“That threat would work if you didn’t look so sick right now.”
“Alison!”
“Tell me more.”
“No!” he shouted. “Get me up from here, or you’re in big trouble!”
“Yes, I’m trembling at the thought of the man who can barely stand on his own.”
“I will get my strength back, and then you’ll beg me for mercy,” he warned.
“And how long will that take? With the wound in your back, it could be weeks, and then I’m out of here!”
“Alison, I’m not playing around. Get me up from here!” he growled.
We locked eyes in a staring contest, neither of us willing to back down, but the clear warning in his gaze conveyed that he genuinely meant his threat of consequences. Unfortunately, my contract did state that I had to comply. Pushing away from the dresser, I walked over to him. I extended my arm, and he grabbed it, groaning as he made his way up.
“You can’t possibly think this was a good idea,” I told him.
“I need a drink.”
He pushed past me, and I looked after him in disbelief. Shaking off the shock, I followed him downstairs to where I found his private bar. He sat by the counter, pouring himself a drink. I approached, and he nudged the bottle my way, but I had no real interest in drinking. I wanted answers.
“Why was there a knife in your back?” I asked.
“A bitch put it there,” he sighed.
“Jared, can we set aside the jokes for a moment and talk?”
“Why does this even interest you?” he asked, turning to me.
“What?”
“Why are you so curious about knowing why?”
