Blood Money
Liam
I was drowning in debt and my sister needed help, so I made a terrible choice. I borrowed money from the infamous Marchesi family, knowing I had no way to pay them back.
Did I think I could evade them?
Did I think I’d win the lottery?
No, I didn’t think at all. I just acted.
Now, a killer is at my door, a man known for his ruthlessness, his persistence, and the way he can bring a man to his knees – for business or pleasure.
I’ve got to find a way to pay him back, and the only thing I own free and clear is my body.
Valentino
My job is extracting money from delinquent clients. If they can’t pay with cash, they pay with pain.
The next client on my list is Liam, but when I show up at his house ready to take his money or break him, I find a desperate young man who intrigues me so much I consider other options.
When he offers himself as payment, I long to torment him in ways we’ll both enjoy, but clients are off limits, and only fools break Marchesi family rules.
I might just let him make a fool of me.
Excerpt
The popping and hissing of the coffee maker finishing its job drew my attention. I’d just started to pour myself a cup when someone pounded on my door.
Fuck. Was that my landlord? I had ten more days before the rent was due. I knew the money wasn’t going to fall out of the sky, but I’d hoped to at least keep a roof over my head that much longer.
When I checked the peephole, I leapt back. It wasn’t my landlord. I should have known he’d never be up this early. It was Valentino.
Had he heard me moving around? I prayed he hadn’t as I moved away, trying to stay quiet. It’s possible he would have given up when I didn’t answer, but I ruined my chances by backing into the table next to the couch and turning it over.
“Liam, I know you’re in there.” More pounding. “Every second you keep me waiting makes things worse for you.”
Despite being terrified, I reminded myself that I’d been thinking about going to find Valentino.
I was an idiot. I looked around wishing I had another way out. The fire escape was really the only option, but the way the door was rattling, Valentino would have it open and be after me before I could make it to the street.
The sound of a gunshot made me scream. For a moment I wondered if I’d been hit, then I saw smoke rising from the doorknob and realized he’d shot through the lock.
Valentino shoved the door open, then kicked it closed behind him and braced it with the table I’d tripped over.
I stood there staring at him, wishing I could make my limbs work. I should at least try to run, but I couldn’t move.
