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“Yeah? Well, what about your nipples?” He sounded like a psycho And this had nothing to do with Joe, why he was here, or what Shell was hiding fro hard over the sight of her, or even being near her washim insane
Because Joe was a sadistic enforcer for a drug kingpin Not because Copper was jealous
“My nipples?” she squeaked as her face grew bright pink She crossed her ar but him “It’s cold out,” she muttered
“Fuck,” Copper practically growled “Forget it Just tell me why Joe was here”
Staring at the blank television screen, Shell said, “The first Monday of each ht fifteen on the dot to collect one thousand dollars from me Has since a month after I h he had to strain to hear it
“You fucking kidding me? You’ve been back over a year!” Copper exploded forward, off the loveseat, drawing a yip of surprise from Shell
Her slender shoulders, the ones that carried so lassy with unshed tears The sight of her so close to crying is what doused the fla volcano, but he needed to rein it in if he didn’t want to cause her more upset This problem of hers would be taken care of Shell wouldn’t pay another dime to Joe The Handlers would ht off the bat if she’d come to them in the first place
Damn stubborn woman
Copper returned to the loveseat, stuffing himself in the space he’d occupied before She’d left hiht fit, and her crossed knees ended up resting on his thigh The woer furniture At least the news of how much money she’d forked over killed his boner
One thousand dollars everyflesh from his bones No wonder she worked herself raw yet always seemed to be without He cupped her cheek She sucked in a breath, aze “Look, babe, I came here because I heard Beth was sick and I wanted to check on you See if you needed anything If I proain, will you tell me the rest?”
Shell nodded, and one tear sprung free With a huff, she blinked fast, as though angry at herself for allowing the weakness Weak, shit, Shell was hands down the strongest woman he knew
Copper groaned “Please don’t cry, babe It’ll fucking kill ht the runaway drop with his thumb as it trickled down her cheek
She gave hiht before Dad was killed, he’d received fifty thousand dollars in heroin from whoever it is Joe works for I don’t even knoho runs the show”
“Really?” Copper scratched at his beard It’d been over a decade since Sarge had been otten the club involved in drugs a few years after Copper prospected They’d sold dope, heroin, cocaine, and on occasion prescription pills, but never that reed with, and that business dragged the club through a few bloody years After Sarge’s death, Copper ended the club’s involves
Shell shrugged “So he says It’s not like I can verify it now But he claiiven to Dad on good faith because they had a long-term relationship with him He was supposed to ot his s, they were never found”
“So now that you’re older and back in town, they want their money”
“Exactly,” Shell said with a nod “Plus interest, of course”
Copper snorted “Of course Jesus, ten fucking years of interest” Hell, he ran a loan sharking business He was no stranger to de it when necessary But there was one difference Everyone who borrowed fro happened, the Handlers didn’t go after a single mom to collect
“They go looking to your mother for it first?”
That had Shell laughing “You serious? She doesn’t have two pennies to rub together And it’s no secret she wants nothing to do with the club Joe o I’ed “Just threaten Beth, and I’ll prettyanyone asks”