Credence

My chest is too heavy to breathe. He tries to close the distance between us, and I retreat, the rain growing heavier outside the door behind me.

“You sponsor me, and I will not pursue him,” Terrance proposes. “I’ll get the sheriff and my team to back off, and you and he can live happily ever after.”

“You have a sponsor.”

“I had a sponsor,” he retorts. “They pulled their support when Kaleb destroyed the bikes.”

I cock my head, leveling my eyes on him. Kaleb caused some damage, so he lost his sponsor? Really?

He shrugs, knowing I’m not buying it. “And they got wind of some other things, too,” he admits.

I nod. Yeah. Like his clubhouse, maybe. Or any one of a million shady things I’m sure he’s up to, because he’s a sleazebag. A reputable business doesn’t want him representing them.

Kaleb may be fined—he’ll definitely have to pay damages—but he’s not getting arrested.

“So what do you say?” he asks.

I hold his eyes.

He doesn’t want to hear no. He came up here when he knew I’d be alone, because he’s prepared to coerce me.

Will he leave if I lie and agree?

A ring pierces the air, my phone vibrating in my hand, and my heart stops.

He bolts for me, and I throw the rake at him before spinning around and dashing for the house. I splash through puddles, rain pummeling my head, the storm heavier now, and I don’t look behind me as I cry out and race through the open bay doors, into the dark shop, and up the steps to the house.

Swinging the door open, I barrel inside and answer the phone, seeing Jake’s name on the screen.

I hold it up to my ear but see a dark form in the kitchen and stop, dropping my hand.

My lungs empty.

“Hello?” I hear my uncle on the other end of the phone.

But I look around, my attention only on the two other men in the kitchen whom I don’t know. I can’t get a good look at them in the dim light.

“Hello?” Jake calls out again.

“Get out!” I shout, more to alert Jake than order the strange guys.

My stomach churns, and I circle the island, pushing pots and pans at them to keep them back. Why would he bring back-up? What is he planning?

I don’t want them to know someone is on the phone or they’ll take it. I stick it in my pocket, leaving it connected.

Terrance charges in the same way I came, breathing hard and his blue eyes look at me, almost amused. I stare at the three of them.

“Just think about it,” he presses. “You’ll control the purse strings, meaning you’ll control me and my racing. I’m good for other things, too… when you want.”

I shake my head. He thinks that’s where this is going? I’ll support his endeavors, because I’m a pathetic, rich little orphan who needs some love?

“I’m not romantic.” He gazes at me, determination on his face. “I won’t be faithful. But I’ll be at your beck and call. You can push me around all you want. Don’t you want to be the one on top now?”

A boy toy is what he’s proposing? Someone to use for affection without any romantic hassles. Without getting my heart invested.

In exchange, all I have to do is pay him.

“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” he croons.