Easy This Time - JH Croix Page 0,44

of your mess.”

Thanks to Nash and what passed between us last night, I’d somehow managed to put my fear around that situation far in the recesses of my thoughts. Saying it aloud brought it back forcefully. Fear shafted through me, and cold dread coated the insides of my stomach.

Without a word, Nash reached over and curled his hand over mine. My hands had gone icy cold, but the warmth of his touch helped me catch my breath and put the brakes on the fear revving inside of me.

Chapter 19

Nash

Mari’s hand was icy cold, and I was fucking furious. Not at her, but at Brett and the mess he’d made.

“Brett, Nash here. What the hell is going on?”

Brett sputtered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just need some money. I had a good investment opportunity, and you passed on it. So now, I’m finding a way to deal with it myself. We don’t need you in the middle of this.”

“There is no ‘we,’” Mari exclaimed. “As soon as we straighten out this mess, I have no intention of talking to you ever again.”

I squeezed her hand, and she closed her eyes and took a slow breath.

“Brett, here’s the deal. Mari’s brother is looking into things on the backend. We know you hacked into her bank accounts and falsified applications for credit cards. Last night, I saw a guy who works for a local gang. Specifically, one run by a guy who’s well known as a loan shark. He is not the kinda guy you screw over. Tell me now if you borrowed money from him, because if so, and if you can’t pay it back on time, you’re facing a shit load of trouble. You’ve put a target on Mari in the process.”

Brett’s swallow was audible through the phone line. “I didn’t realize what kind of business it was. I don’t know what the fuck to do,” he finally said after a long pause.

“You’re a fucking idiot. If you didn’t know it before, you can rest assured if no place reputable will issue you a loan, only crooks will. I appreciate your honesty.” Mari’s eyes had gone wide, but I shook my head. She could talk, but I didn’t think it would be helpful at this point. She rolled her eyes and glared daggers at the phone. I continued, “I can be more helpful if I know exactly what the situation is.”

After a little bit of bluster, Brett broke it down. He was looking for money for his stupid investment plan and had made promises to a few other investors. As a result, he borrowed money from this guy to the tune of half a million. No shocker, but now it was coming due, and he didn’t know what the fuck to do.

I didn’t let on that we planned to send the police after him for what he did to Mari’s finances. For now, I needed as much information as I could get so we could figure out what to do on this end.

“All right then. You got yourself in one hell of a situation and put yourself and Mari in danger. I’ll take care of her, but you’re gonna have to take care of yourself. Meanwhile, keep the phone, whether it’s this one or another one, and stop calling Mari‘s phone.”

“How the hell am I supposed to get a hold of her?” Brett asked.

While he and I’d been talking, I had texted my private investigator who sent back a burner number. “Here’s the number to call. It goes to someone who works for me and who can get in touch with me immediately. In the meantime, lay low, and we’ll be in touch.”

After I hung up the call, I met Mari’s troubled gaze, worry creasing her brow. “We’ll figure this out. I promise.”

Mari bit the inside of her cheek and wrinkled her nose as she eyed me. “Brett is such an idiot.”

“I’m not gonna argue that point with you, but let’s just focus on getting through to the other side of this. What were your plans for today?”

Chapter 20

Mari

Gabby Boudreaux handed me a cup of coffee, gesturing to the small tray in the center of the round table in her office. “There’s cream and sugar right there. Help yourself. Just a word of warning, I do tend to make my coffee on the strong side.”

She offered me a warm smile before she turned to fill her own cup of coffee from a coffee maker on a small table