Hit That by Lucy Carol

Author:Lucy Carol [Carol, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fevered Publishing LLC

Chapter Thirteen

Watching him stir the sauce, she thought her heart would break. The sweet moment was at odds with the main thought on her mind. She took a deep breath and plunged in.

“What did you mean you could get killed?”

He stopped stirring, seeming frozen for a second. She knew he was trying to think fast.

“That came out wrong. I didn’t mean I could get killed.”

“Xander, please. We’ve come this far.”

He didn’t move. “It’s a new development,” he said quietly.

She kept her tone encouraging. “Tell me the rest.”

He set the stirring spoon down and turned to face her. “When I took the paintings from the desk, Kyle couldn’t stop me because Agent Reed was there. But I called Kyle that night. He’s scared shitless.” He went quiet.

“Go on.”

“He’s in deeper than I realized. I hadn’t counted on the jeopardy I just put him in. I swore to him I didn’t know.”

“Didn’t know what? I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t. Let me back up.” He stared at the floor, mumbling, “There’s so much to tell you…” He took a deep breath. “Uncle Arden never cared about art. Those art pieces were collateral.”

“For what?”

“For money he privately loans out. He makes a profit on high interest.”

Madison blinked. “He’s a loan shark?”

Xander winced. “I’ve never heard anyone say it out loud before.”

“Am I wrong?”

“No.” He shook his head. “It’s just sad to see what he evolved into. He wanted to make some easy money. But it got out of hand.” He turned back to the pan, picking up the serving spoon. “Bring me your plate.”

The implications were getting scarier. She retrieved a plate from the counter, bringing it to him. “So…” she tried to wrap her head around it, “if the borrowers don’t finish paying back the loan, he keeps the artwork to sell or trade for something else?”

He nodded, scooping the red curried shrimp onto her plate. “When I stole the pieces I painted on, my uncle had to forgive the debt because he couldn’t return the paintings I took. Threw my whole family into an uproar.”

He hit the serving spoon against the edge of the pan, maybe harder than necessary. “My parents tried to get me to give them back, keep the peace, but I refused to say where I’d hidden them. We had a falling out over it.”

“Are your parents involved?”

“No. They’re just afraid of the scandal if he’s caught.” He removed the lid from the pot of avocado rice, and dished out a generous helping for her. “Aunt Etta was the only one who agreed with what I’d done. Gave me a job housesitting so I’d have a little income, and somewhere to live while I finished school.”

“You’re kidding! Your parents kicked you out over this?”

“No, no.” He shook his head. “I was the one who made that choice. I was so angry I couldn’t see straight. I refused to have anything more to do with them.” He gazed at her. “Until you came along. You were fighting so hard for your family.

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