Loan Shark Love

“I’m twenty-one,” I tell him confidently. “I’m old enough to do this without help.”

Grey laughs, but he’s not mocking me. His eyes crinkle at the corners, and I wonder if this flip-flop feeling in my belly is what it feels like to be in love with someone.

“I admire your bravery,” he says. “I like someone who’s willing to do anything for the people they love. How much do you need, Ms. Sinclair?”

“It's that easy?” I ask the gorgeous man in front of me, dumbfounded.

A week ago, when my dad told me with tears in his eyes that the bakery would close its doors come month’s end, I swore that I would save it. I grew up in Cake O’Clock, and I was almost sure that I had learned how to walk on those floors. My mom spent her last days there, and I couldn’t see it fall on my watch.

Grey Kingston’s long fingers tapping over the desk bring me back to the present.

“None of this will be easy, Ms. Sinclair,” he says, keeping his voice low.

“You can uh,” I begin, feeling my cheeks burn. “You can call me Rose if you want.”

Grey stares at me for a moment, and then he nods, and I think I can see the tiniest smile across his soft-looking lips. He pulls a file from one of his drawers.

“Rose,” he repeats, glancing up at me. I decide that I like the way my name sounds rolling off his tongue. He continues, “A loan of twenty thousand dollars will need to be repaid within thirty days. That’s as far as I can extend it, I’m sorry to say. I wish I could do more.”

“I’m sorry…,” I stutter, sitting forward in my chair. “Did you say within thirty days?!”

My mind is in shambles, but I don’t want to look immature in front of Grey. That’s the last thing that I want. But there’s no way I can pay back that much in that short amount of time. It was a miracle I could find a loan shark to lend me the money in the first place.

“Let me be honest with you,” Grey says, splaying his hand over the table. “This is a nasty business. Are you quite sure this is what you want? Is it worth it to you?”

“It’s worth it to me. It’s worth absolutely everything I can give and more,” I answer him. My voice comes out steady, and I’m proud that it doesn’t waver.

I’ve heard stories of Grey Kingston and who he is as a person and a businessman. I’ve been told that he’s ruthless, and he doesn’t make exceptions, not for anyone. But I can’t think of anything but my growing attraction to him when I’m in his presence. I can’t find it within me to be afraid of him or to be wary.

The thunder rumbles, and lightning flashes across the severe features of Grey’s face, emphasizing those stunning good looks.

“I really admire your bravery,” he tells me, and I can clearly see that he means what he says. “Do you want your loan in cash, or would you like a check?”

A thrill of fear goes through me at the thought of leaving. I don’t want to be away from Grey, and my wild imagination convinces me that he doesn’t want me to go either. I remember his question and I consider it for a moment.

“I want it in cash,” I tell him confidently, nodding. “I don’t want my dad to know where the money came from. He might not take it if he finds out I was here.”

I want to kick myself. What I said sounded like an insult to Grey, but he only smirks.

“I understand,” he tells me with a nod. He stands from his chair. “I’ll be right back.”

Grey leaves, disappearing into a back room where I assume he’s going to get money out of a safe for me. There’s a stack of papers on the desk for me to sign.

It’s cold in the office, and I shiver, wrapping my arms around myself in the chill.

“Here,” someone says from behind me. “I wasn’t even using it anyway.”

I turn as a thick, wool coat is wrapped over my shoulders. The secretary from the front room has come through the door. Her face is slim, and her body is willowy under her thick sweater. Freckles dot her straight nose, and her green eyes are familiar somehow. Long, red hair is in a braid down her back, swaying gently.

“Oh, thank you.” I look up at her gratefully, keeping the coat closed around me.

“I’m Natalie,” she says, offering a pale hand for me to shake.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I answer, shaking her hand. “I’m Rose Sinclair.”

“Natalie, you should be watching the door,” Grey tells her in a firm voice when he comes back with a bank bag. “Make sure it’s locked. We don’t need intrusions.”