Into something shady
12 Into something shady
Ethan was becoming impatient.
He’d been informed that Mara was spotted on the street and he’d come to wait for her. It was thirty minutes now and she still hadn’t reached the alley he was hiding in. being kept waiting was one of the things that ticked off Ethan and he hated it. It was akin to having someone delay payment for services he’d rendered.
He checked his time again and looked up just in time to see one of his boys enter the alley. He nodded to him, indicating that she was near. Ethan exhaled. “Finally,” he said, straightening his shirt. “I was starting to think that she’d played one on me.”
A few minutes later, Mara was led into the alley. It was almost mid-day and for that, he’d chosen to come with only three of his men. It wasn’t as dangerous out here during the day, but Ethan felt he had to be guarded against the petty street urchins, who lurked around to pick at people’s pockets.
“Ethan,” Mara said. “You were following me?”
“Like I said, Mara,” he said, smiling. “I keep an eye on my merchandise.”
She scowled, snorting. “Stop calling me Mara and stop referring to me like a piece of furniture!”
Ethan chuckled, liking her more and more. His guts had been right. Mara—or Zara, as she called herself now—was a tough one but he was glad he’d helped her out. She looked exceptionally beautiful when she was angry. Ethan particularly loved enraging her, he liked watching the anger in her eyes knowing that she couldn’t do anything about it.
“Do you have my money?” he asked, leaning closer till his breath brushed against her skin. She smelled nice like she’d been soaked in perfume all day. Ethan squinted, finding that odd. Mara barely had enough money to feed her family. Why would she spend on perfume?
“I do,” she said, raising the duffel bag she carried with her. She had another bag strapped to her back and it peaked Ethan’s interest.
He nodded for one of his boys to take the bag. Mara struggled, trying to snatch the bag but the guy was quicker and stronger. He got the bag away and unzipped it. Ethan turned to her. “I was disappointed when I dropped by and Dominic told me you’d left the house. I was starting to think you’d fled.”
“Stop tormenting my siblings!”
“I wasn’t planning to,” Ethan said, then took the duffel that supposedly contained his money. He handed it to the other man nearest him and said, “check the money and see if it’s complete.”
The man took the bag and nodded, turning aside to begin the job of counting. It was hard work, counting money. It was why Ethan had never tried counting any amount more than $50. He’d let the men suffer through that hard work for him.
“Boss,” the man with the backpack called out. “There’s nothing here except for food and candies. Then, there’re toys as well.”
“Give me those!” Mara snatched the bag from him and slung it over her shoulder, annoyed. She huffed. “What were you expecting ot find in there? A bomb?”
“Actually, no,” Ethan said. “I was expecting ot see a gun and or some drugs. Who knows how you got the money.”
Mara pursed her lips, her eyes lowered. Ethan gave her a break, not intending to force her beyond limit. He knew how he was. He’d seen how broken she’d been, all quivering and shaking the first weeks she’d gotten away from Charlescare.
It was part of the reason he loved her so much. Seeing women tremble like that turned him on too. But, it hadn’t been the pity that had driven him to help her and give her a fake identity. It was something else. But, what?
“Ethan,” the other man, who’d been counting the money, called out. “The money’s complete. $10,000.”
“What?” Ethan asked, stunned. “Are you sure?”
The man nodded, raising the bag. “I’ve checked.”
Ethan glanced at Mara and she laughed, clapping. “I love the look on your face, Ethan. You didn’t think I could get the money, right?”
Ethan snorted and pulled her closer, gripping her arm with a grip. He forced her to look into his eyes with one hand around her neck. “Listen to me, Mara Charlescare,” he said, heaving. “I honestly don’t know what sort of shady deal you did that got you so much money in such a short period, but I hope it isn’t illegal because I won’t bail you out again!”
Mara winced in his grip, trembling. Ethan realised he was hurting her so he let her go. She stumbled, almost falling. She leaned against the wall, panting. “You’re an animal!”
“Better that,” Ethan said, “than a fugitive, Mara.” He smiled. “Besides, I was expecting that you’d come and beg me for more time and then I would cut off one of your fingers and then take Daisi with me. Then, I’d come back and cut off another finger till you had nothing left but stumps for hands.
“I’m impressed, Mara. Have I ever told you that I fell in love with you from the first day?”
Mara snorted, spitting to the side. “Keep your sick and perverted love to yourself, Ethan and get off my back, okay?”
“I wasn’t intending to act on the feelings, dear,” he said, smiling. “If you haven’t noticed, I go for women with bigger breasts and bigger ass.”
“Take your money and leave me alone!” Mara snapped, annoyed. She gave him a glare then shoved her way out of the alley. The boys wanted to block her but Ethan waved his hand, indicating they should let her go.
He stood there, rooted to the ground, as she walked out of the alley. His mind was a turmoil. Where had Mara gotten such an amount of money to pay him back within such a short time? It wasn’t logically possible and it burned his mind.
Definitely, Mara was up to something. She was into some sort of deal and Ethan was sure it was a shady deal. He sighed, cursing her in his mind. Didn’t she know better to stay out of trouble?
He turned to one of the men. “Who’s next on my list of debtors?”
The man took out his phone and began to look through the list. They made sure to update the list with every transaction. He glanced at Ethan. “It’s Mr—”
“—forget it,” Ethan snapped, waving his hand. “I don’t feel like going on some money hunt right now. I need to think.”
“Okay.”
Ethan walked towards the entrance of the alley, shaken. Mara was up to something and he had to find out what it was. He wanted to know. He turned to the men following him. “Follow Mara around and keep an eye on her. I want to know who she visits and who she talks to. I want to know where she’s getting her money. Also, watch Daisi and Dominic closely.”
“Of course, boss!”
Ethan walked on but the man carrying the bag of money said, “what about the money? Where should we deposit it?”
Ethan exhaled, thinking for a brief second. He waved a hand. “Just give the money to someone who needs it. Be sure to let them know my terms and conditions and tenure of loan. I’ll get to other business today.”
“Okay.”