Wicked and True (Wicked & Devoted 4)

The man nodded her way as he cut through the parking lot, heading straight for her. He came closer, and something about him set her on edge. She assessed him again. He was too clean to live on the streets and his smile looked too ready to belong on a thug.

At least that’s what she thought until she got a good look at his cunning dark eyes.

Tessa hustled for the door.

“Sorry if I startled you. Tessa Lawrence?”

He knew her name? “Who wants to know?”

“We have some mutual friends.”

Was he from Oracle after all? “Who?”

The stranger waved her question away. “That’s not why I’m here. You have two thousand dollars in your bank account. You owe twelve hundred dollars in rent and another one eighty-five for daycare. Your car payment is another three-fifty. Then you have to buy groceries and—”

“What do you want?” And how do you know so much about me?

“To talk to you. We can help each other.” He pasted on his friendly smile again.

Every instinct she possessed told her not to believe it. “I’m okay.”

“You’re falling a little more behind every month. What will you do when you can’t pay your rent anymore?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your concern, Mr.… Who are you?”

“It’s not important. I’m here to make you a proposition. There’s ten thousand dollars in it for you—cash. Today. It will take maybe ten minutes of your time and—”

“If you’re suggesting for even an instant that I give you sex for money, then—”

His hearty laugh cut into her righteous speech. “I’m not, Ms. Lawrence. You’re pretty, and maybe you’re a tiger in the sack. But you’re not worth ten grand. I can’t think of a single woman who is. This is strictly business.”

Now Tessa was even more confused. “Then what do you want for that amount of money?”

Her guess? It was illegal, and she wasn’t interested.

“Information. That’s all. You’re in a position to know some things my associates need to. Once you provide that, I’ll give you cash. And if you like the arrangement, it might be something we can continue, as needed.”

She narrowed her eyes, not liking the sound of this. “What kind of information?”

“We’re looking for someone.”

Valeria Montilla? Even if that wasn’t the case, Tessa didn’t like his vibe, didn’t like this conversation, and didn’t like the direction this encounter was heading. “I can’t help you. And you shouldn’t come back.”

She bustled toward EM’s door—but he was faster, gripping her by the arm. “Listen, it’s not in your best interest to say no. Trust me when I tell you we have ways of…persuading you to comply.”

The uneasiness roiling in her stomach turned to fear, especially when she realized they stood alone on the shadowy side of a building in a light industrial area. The place next door was abandoned. And the alley behind them was too close for comfort.

Tessa tore her arm free. “Don’t touch me.”

“I don’t think you understand, Ms. Lawrence. We’re trying to be nice here, but—”

“Hey!” Zy shouted from EM’s door as he pounded down the steps, then strode across the parking lot. “Who the fuck are you? Get your hands off her. If you want something, you deal with me.”

The stranger cursed under his breath, then released her, sidled behind her, then shoved her into Zy’s path before he sprinted down the alley and disappeared behind the fence.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded. “Fine.”

“Go inside.”

Tessa feared he intended to chase that guy. “Zy…”

“Go!”

He took off running, looking as if an all-out sprint was second nature to him, assisted by his long legs. She watched him go, her heart in her throat.

What was this stranger capable of? Did he have a gun? Would he use it to stop Zy from chasing him? The thought terrified her.

Tessa stood frozen in panic. If she dashed inside for One-Mile’s help, it would probably come too late. If she called the police, it would take them too long to arrive. And if she chased after them herself, Zy would be furious, not to mention she ran the risk of leaving Hallie an orphan. What the hell was she supposed to do?

Before she came to an answer, Zy returned from the alley, panting, looking frustrated and furious.

“What happened?” she asked. “Did he get away?”

“He had a head start and a waiting vehicle. He was halfway gone by the time I even started chasing him. What did he say to you? What did he want?”

“I-I’m not sure.”

“He must have said something.”

“He was looking for information about someone but—”

“Who?”

“He never actually said. He’d just finished saying that it would be in my best interest to tell him what he wanted to know when you walked outside.”

“In your best interest how?”

“He didn’t get around to explaining that, either. But he knew everything about me, even how much money I have in the bank.” She shivered. “It was creepy.”