Chapter 23

**Hannah**

I pulled out my phone and stared at his contact information. My finger hovered over the call button for several seconds before I finally pressed it, my heart pounding as the phone rang.

"Well, well, well," Vincent's gravelly voice came through after three rings. "If it isn't Hannah Mitchell. Calling to beg for more time?"

"Actually, I'm calling to tell you I have your money," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

There was a pause on the other end. "All of it?"

"Yes. All fifteen thousand. I can transfer it to your account today. Just give me your bank details."

Vincent chuckled, the sound making my skin crawl. "That's not how this works, sweetheart. I gave you cash; I expect cash in return."

I closed my eyes, cursing silently. Of course, it wouldn't be that easy.

"Fine," I said. "Cash it is. Where and when?"

"Eager, aren't we? Got the money pretty quick. Must have found a generous benefactor." His tone made it clear what kind of "benefactor" he was implying.

I ignored the bait. "Where do you want me to bring it?"

He gave me an address in the industrial district. "One hour. Come alone."

"I'll be there," I said, then hung up before he could say anything else that would make me want to punch something.

There was no way in hell I was going to meet Vincent alone. The way he'd looked at me the last time we met still made my skin crawl. But I couldn't exactly ask Leonardo to come with me either. Mixing my sugar daddy with my loan shark seemed like a recipe for disaster.

Emma. I needed Emma.

I quickly dialed her number, relieved when she picked up on the second ring.

"Hey, what's up?" Her voice was cheerful as always.

"I need a huge favor," I said, already heading to my bedroom to change. "Can you come with me to meet Vincent? I've got his money, but I don't want to go alone."

"The creepy loan shark guy? Hell, yes, I'm coming with you. No way you're facing that sleazeball by yourself."

I exhaled in relief. "You're the best. Can you be here in thirty minutes? I need to go to the bank first."

"I'll be there in twenty."

After hanging up, I changed into jeans and a casual top, making sure I looked presentable but not too flashy. The emerald dress Leonardo had picked out for me was beautiful but definitely not appropriate for this particular meeting.

At the bank, I withdrew the full fifteen thousand in cash, feeling strangely powerful as the teller counted out the bills. My bank account had never seen this much money before. Even after the withdrawal, I still had five thousand left from Leonardo's initial payment.

The teller raised an eyebrow as she handed me the stack of bills. "Would you like an escort to your car, miss?"

"No thanks," I said, quickly stuffing the cash into my purse. "I'll be fine."

Emma was waiting outside my apartment when I returned, leaning against her car.

"Ready for this?" she asked as I approached.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, patting my purse. "Let's get this over with."

The address Vincent had given me led us to an old warehouse district on the outskirts of town. Most of the buildings looked abandoned, with broken windows and graffiti-covered walls. Emma pulled up to a gray concrete structure that looked marginally less decrepit than its neighbors.

"Charming place," Emma muttered, turning off the engine. "Very serial killer chic."

"He probably chose it to intimidate me," I said, checking my phone. We were five minutes early.

Emma squeezed my arm. "Well, it's not working because you've got me. And that asshole is getting his money, so he can fuck right off afterward."

I smiled gratefully at her. "Thanks for coming with me."

"What are best friends for if not accompanying each other to sketchy warehouses to pay off loan sharks?"

We waited in the car until exactly one o'clock, then got out. The area was eerily quiet, with only the distant sound of traffic breaking the silence. I clutched my purse tightly as we approached the warehouse entrance.

Before we reached the door, it swung open. Vincent emerged, looking just as sleazy as I remembered in his cheap suit and too-much cologne. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Emma, then narrowed.

"I told you to come alone," he said, his gaze sliding from Emma back to me.

"And I decided not to," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I have your money."

I opened my purse and pulled out the envelope containing the cash. Vincent's eyes lit up, and he reached for it, but I held it just out of his grasp.

"Count it first," I said. "I want to make sure we're square."

Vincent smirked and took the envelope, thumbing through the bills with practiced efficiency. His eyes kept darting up to look at me, lingering on my chest in a way that made my skin crawl.

"Well, well, well," he said, finishing his count and tucking the envelope inside his jacket. "Fifteen thousand, all here. You got the money pretty quick, didn't you? Must have found a creative way to use your sweet body." He licked his lips. "Or maybe you had it all along and were just playing games with me."

His eyes traveled down my body again, making me feel like I needed a shower. "If you ever need another loan, I'm sure we could work out an... alternative payment plan. I'd be more than happy to sample the goods that earned you this cash."

Emma stepped forward, positioning herself slightly in front of me. "She got you your money, and your business is concluded. How she got it is none of your fucking business."

Vincent's smile turned cold as he looked at Emma. "Didn't realize you needed a bodyguard, Hannah. Your friend here seems feisty."

"We're leaving now," I said firmly, taking Emma's arm. "We're done here."

Vincent nodded, his eyes still roaming over me like he was mentally undressing me. "For now. But my door's always open if you need... anything else."

The way he said "anything" made my stomach turn.

"She won't," Emma snapped, already pulling me back toward the car.

"See you around, Hannah," Vincent called after us, his voice dripping with suggestion.