Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Leo stared at the stack of money with his hand in his hair. “I mean… it’s your cash, they don’t need to know. But I could say the Jackals were trying to force you into cooperation and you refused, and now you need protection.”
Zolt swallowed, taking in Leo’s handsome profile. He longed to step closer and bury his face in the short hair at the back of Leo’s head, but he couldn’t make himself cross the distance, uprooted to the point where he wasn’t sure who he was anymore. “No. I meant about… us,” he said, looking up with a sense of resignation. He’d go with whatever Leo wanted and see where it got him. They both knew the Jackal Brothers would attack the Smokeys soon, and it was all his fault.
Leo stalled, staring at Zolt, but then reached out for his hand. “Oh. I… Hm. You’re out, so I guess there’s no point beating around the bush. I’ll tell them how things are.”
Just like that. Leo would throw his life away for Zolt, the man who’d stepped on his heart less than twenty four hours ago, and who betrayed Leo’s family for money.
Zolt truly didn’t deserve him, but he was a greedy fuck and would take him anyway.
“Just like that?”
Leo stepped closer and entwined their fingers. “No, not ‘just’. It’s probably gonna be a shitfest, but it’s coming one way or another, because I’m not letting you go, so might as well rip off that Band-Aid.”
Zolt watched him in silence while his heart went into a hurried staccato, reminding him that maybe he wasn’t as unlovable as he’d always thought. If this guy, so brave and more loving than anyone Zolt had ever met, could want him around, then maybe other people might too. Maybe he could have friends, real ones, not like Neil and Co., who’d have sold him to that bastard Trowley if enough money was on offer.
Leo clearly wasn’t straight, but he was an honest, decent person, who didn’t want to live a lie anymore. And Zolt wanted him regardless.
Their eyes met, and Zolt stepped closer, itching to touch Leo’s handsome face when someone cleared his throat in the shop.
“Is anyone here?”
Leo went tense and pulled out his gun, but Zolt beat him to it and marched toward his wasteland of a shop. He frowned as soon as he spotted a small man in a trench coat already backing out.
“Is this… a bad time?” the guy asked, with eyes wide as saucers. And that was when Zolt recognized him. It was the Engagement Ring man, who’d purchased the one Leo had given up to Zolt.
Leo groaned and put his gun away, but Zolt walked from behind the counter, angry at himself that he’d forgotten about the doors. “Coyotes got in,” he said, even though that did not explain holes in the wall, or the broken fish tank.
The man went with it though and nodded vigorously. “Yes, my mother had a coyote once come into her kitchen—”
“What do you want, man?” Leo snapped.
The stranger flinched but dove his hand into his pocket and produced a small jewelry box that was familiar to them both. “Me and my lady… well, we weren’t meant to be,” he said, fixing his gaze on the damp floor.
That turn of events didn’t surprise Zolt at all. “I’m sorry to hear about it, but I’m not sure how I could help you,” he said, even though he absolutely did now.
“I would like to get my money—I mean, understandably, less than I bought it for—I mean, pawn it I suppose.”
The way he squirmed in his awkwardness made Zolt almost sorry for him. Almost. He took a deep breath. “I don’t have cash right now. If there’s something you see here that you like, we can discuss barter, but that’s the extent of what I can offer.”
Leo groaned. “Seriously? Just send him on his way. We don’t have time for this.”
The man looked around like a meerkat on the prowl. “No, please, just a second. How about that saber? That must be an original, eighteenth century weapon!” He got so excited he rushed to where the item was mounted on the wall, and Zolt didn’t stop him.
“Why? Are you a specialist or something?”
The customer stared back at him, his whole face lightening. “You could call me an edged weapons aficionado.”
“Oh, yes, that lady who pawned it told me it used to be her great great-great-great-something grandfather’s back in Europe,” he said, because at least he’d get rid of the piece of junk.
“I will gladly take it off your hands, sir,” the man said and when he turned around, holding the saber, he was beaming. For the first time, Zolt saw the expression of worry washed off his face. He wasn’t that bad-looking, actually. He and his new saber would be very happy.