Wretched (Never After Series)

Benny Anderson is a short man with an attitude. He thinks because he’s lived in Kinland for the majority of his life that means he runs the place and everyone in it. Out of all the people we deal with on the streets, he’s by far the worst. But he does have connections and he is one of our middlemen, the guy all our low-level drug dealers grab their inventory from, and the ones they pay their dues to.

The fewer people who have direct contact with us, the better.

Normally, I’m not the one even doing these pickups. But when there’s a need, here I am, and the fact that Benny’s drop was short fifteen grand creates the need for a special visit.

My gut pinches as we walk inside Anderson’s sub shop, the weight of my Desert Eagle heavy where it sits against my thigh. I glance over at Brayden, irritation twitching beneath the surface of my skin at just the sight of him. I really, really, don’t want him here.

In all honesty, I wanted this to be a solo gig. I don’t need muscle to back me up, and if there’s going to be some, I’d rather have Zeke at my side. I’m not fully convinced Brayden wouldn’t use me as a shield to protect himself instead.

Brayden whips by me as we walk, cutting in front of me to grab the door first. He grips the handle and yanks it open, the bell above the door jingling. For just a moment, I think he’s showing chivalry, holding it open for me to walk through, but when I step forward, he lets go, slamming the door in my face.

Asshole. 

I fling my foot out, wedging it in the crack before it shuts completely, and grab the knob, stepping inside. Brayden’s already in the center of the room, ignoring me completely.

The smell of deli meat is strong and it makes my stomach churn. As I walk through the room, I meet the eyes of patrons scattered throughout the various small white circular tables, not missing the way they all avert their stares, taking small glimpses when they think I’m not paying attention.

Holding my head high, I push my shoulders back and step up to the front register, next to where Brayden’s already lounging against the counter.

He crosses his arms, staring out at the room, the muscle in his jaw pulsing. “Why are they looking at you like that?”

I glance behind me, ignoring the way my palms start to sweat when I wonder what they’re thinking. Nothing good, I’m sure. “What other people think of me is none of my business.”

He makes a face, twisting toward me and lifting a brow. “That sounds like something someone says when they care too much.” He moves closer to me. “You don’t care what I think about you?”

“I’d rather you didn’t think of me at all.”

He grins, that stupid boyish smile that lights up his eyes and shows the obnoxiously perfect dimples in his cheeks. “So you do care.”

“Do you ever shut up?” I snap, slamming my hand on the little bell.

“Do you ever stop being such a bitch?” he hits back.

I grind my teeth as I stare up at the blackboard menu written in dark-green chalk.

“What can I get you?” a spritely voice asks.

I look back down, seeing the fresh face of a young girl, her eyes flicking from me to the gnat at my side, cheeks flushing slightly when they linger on Brayden.

Something pinches in my chest.

“Where’s Benny?” I ask.

“Oh,” she says, her blonde brows scrunching. “I’m not, uh, I’m not sure if he’s available.”

“I didn’t ask if he was ‘available,’ I asked where he was.”

Her customer service grin drops and my stomach tightens, knowing she’s about to piss me off. She opens her mouth, but before she speaks, Brayden cuts in, resting an elbow on the table, and leaning toward her. “What’s your name?”

Her smile reblooms like a flower in the sun. “Amanda.”

“Really?” He tilts his head, his gaze obviously scanning the length of her body. “Suits you.”

Her grin widens, and my chest burns.

“And blonde too?” His eyes flick to me as he places a palm over his heart. “My weakness.”

I narrow my gaze.

“Listen, I’m sure you can tell that this one”—he points his thumb in my direction—“isn’t the most pleasant person to be around. And the faster we see Benny, the quicker I can get rid of her.”

My brows shoot to my hairline and I cross my arms.

“So if you could just go find him, and let him know Eveline Westerly is here, you’d really be helping me out.” He winks. “Free me up faster for better things.”

The blush staining her cheeks is painful and disgustingly predictable.

“Su-sure,” she stutters. “Let me go find him.”

“Chop, chop.” I clap my hands, watching her spin around and disappear down the deli line into the back rooms.

My mood is souring considerably with every second we’re here. “Hey stalker, do me a favor?”

He steps closer and licks his lips, his gaze dropping to my cleavage. “Depends on the favor.”

Grinding my teeth, I step into him, placing my foot between the two of his. “Don’t ever speak for me again.”

He smirks and bends slightly until our eyes lock. “Maybe if you were better at getting things done, I wouldn’t have to.”

Fire ignites in the center of my chest and pummels outward, burning everything in its path. My fists clench, a sharp sting radiating through my palms from the way my nails press into them. “I will fucking kill you.”

He laughs. “Oh, sweetheart. I’d love to see you try.”

A throat clears, and we both jump back, my insides feeling like burned remnants and blazing embers. And it’s only then I realize how close we were, and how everyone in the shop is staring our way.

“Um,” the girl starts. “Benny’s in the back office.”

I blow out a deep breath, pasting a smile on my face.

“I can sho—”

“I know the way,” I cut her off.

“Come on,” I say to Brayden as I walk away.

When we make it to the back office, I kick open the ajar door with my foot, relishing in the jump Benny makes from behind his old scratched-up desk. There’re papers stacked up to his elbows and grease stains coating his off-white shirt.

“Hiya, Benny.” I smile. “Weren’t avoiding me, were you?”

“Nope.” He shakes his head. “I’d never do that, Eveline.”

He focuses behind me, his Adam’s apple bobbing with his harsh swallow. “Who’s the new guy?”

“Don’t look at him.” I move toward him, slipping my right hand beneath my skirt to unholster my gun. I lay it on the desk, my fingers locked around it. “Look at me.”

His eyes grow round, small beads of sweat percolating on his hairline.

“Benny,” I coo. “You know what it means when my father sends me, right?”

He swallows again. “Listen, I don’t know what you’re here for. I dropped the bands last night with Liam.”

I click my tongue, sighing. “You really want things to be this way?”

Straightening, I walk around the desk, keeping my eyes on him the entire time. I don’t stop until I’m standing directly next to him. He swivels in his chair until he’s facing me.

I bring up my gun and press it against his temple. “Where’s the rest of it, Benny?”

He wipes his forehead with the back of his hand and grunts. “Listen, Eveline. I just know what the guys gave me—”

Groaning, I move my hand, bringing it back before striking it down across his face.

“Fuck!” he cries, blood splattering on his scattered papers.

“Jesus, Eveline,” Brayden says. I peer at him when I realize he’s moving toward us, and whatever he sees makes him pause midstep.

I look back down at Benny, pushing the barrel of my Eagle against his head again. “I don’t want to have to hurt you, Benny. But I really don’t enjoy people questioning my intelligence. So here’s what we’ll do. Either give me the money, or I’ll give you five seconds to visualize your wife and kids before I blow your fucking brains out all over their family picture.”

Benny’s breathing is ragged, and the sound of that combined with the drops of his blood pooling beneath his mouth and onto the desk is enough to make me twitch.

I tap the toe of my boot against the tile. “I wouldn’t look past my generosity. Not many others in my position would be so kind.”

I’m bluffing. It would be stupid for me to kill him right now when there are so many witnesses around the shop. But he doesn’t need to know that.

“Fine. Fine, fuck!” He sits up straight, glaring over at me. I smile, pulling back my gun but keeping it aimed at his face. “Look, I don’t know where the money is, okay? I gave you what I got from the idiots peddling your shit on the streets. But I’ve got some here to make up the difference.”

He reaches down and starts to key in a code for the small safe under his desk, but I lift my leg quickly, pressing the heel of my boot into the crotch of his pants, my gun once again pressed to his temple. “Give him the numbers.” I nod toward Brayden.

He does.

Brayden stares between the two of us, and he walks over, crouching down while he enters the code to unlock the door.

There are stacks of cash filling up the entire safe, and a few manila folders.

Brayden looks up at me, grabbing the black bag that’s folded up and tucked into the side. “How much are we taking?”

I smile wide. “All of it.”

“Eveline, please,” Benny pleads. “I got kids. Mouths to feed.”

Nodding, I move my gun until the side slides down his cheek like a cold caress. “I know.” Pulling back my hand again, I bring it forward, smashing my Eagle into his cheek one last time. “I just don’t fucking care.”