Slay (Storm MC 4)

My hand went to my phone in my pocket.

I need Donovan.

Mario’s face curved into a sneer as he said, “Seems we meet again.”

“What do you want?”

He slammed his hand on the counter, making me jump. “I want my fucking money!”

My heart fell into my stomach. “I told you, I don’t have your money, and I haven’t heard from Dale.”

My words seemed to really piss him off. “You’re a smart bitch, aren’t you? Fucking feeding me lies about having no money.”

What’s he talking about?

“I’m not feeding you any lies. Look around my bar. Does it look like I have enough customers to make me rich?”

He leant across the bar at me, his foul breath polluting the air between us. “I know who your family is,” he spat out.

Fuck.

My stomach rolled.

He expected me to go to my family for the money.

He gave me a smug look as he stepped away from the bar. “Two days, bitch, and then I’m coming for you.”

I watched him leave, my legs almost buckling from the dread surging through my body. I staggered back against the wall behind me and clutched my stomach as it threatened to expel its contents.

“Shit.” Jess gave me a worried look. “You need to call Blade.”

I pulled my phone out and dialed him. “Layla,” he answered, his voice tight as if he was distracted.

“Mario came back.”

I was met with silence and then, “Fuck.”

I waited.

“You okay?” he asked, the concern clear in his voice.

I blew out the breath I’d been holding in.

Donovan will fix this.

“Yeah,” I said.

“I’m gonna send someone over to stay with you until I can get there, okay?”

“Okay.”

Silence.

And then, “Call me if you need me. I don’t care what the fuck it is, you ring me. Yeah?”

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “Yes.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”