“I don’t have it,” I said.
He looked from Reed to me, pinned me with a stare as cold as the January weather.
“Your brother said you did.”
“I figured you to be smarter than trusting a little shit like Cam Lane,” Quake said, crossing his arms over his chest. Even though it was hovering around freezing, he wasn’t wearing a coat.
Randy’s cheeks flushed with anger.
“She doesn’t have the money,” Quake repeated. “Cam’s wrong.”
I reached into my coat pocket, held up a folded piece of paper. “Here.”
Reed grabbed my elbow thinking I was going to go over to Randy and hand it to him. As if.
I opened it, read the letter. “Dear Mr. Randolph,” I began. I flicked my gaze up to Randy, then back to the email I’d received for my sizable donation in his name. “Thank you for your generous contribution. Your check for fifty thousand dollars will be a huge help in supporting the women and children of the community in receiving the support they need in leaving domestic violence or other unsafe family situations. You are a true hero in our community.”
I stopped there, looked to Randy again. His fists were clenched tight. If looks could kill and all that. “You gave all that money away?”
“You did,” I countered.
“Real nice of you to think of others,” Reed said.
“A fucking hero,” Quake added with a laugh, not the least bit concerned about Randy’s anger.
Randy reached out, opened and closed his fingers. “Let me see that.”
I handed it to Quake who moved to give it to Randy. The guy scanned the paper then crumpled it in his fist.
“That money has kept your brother alive. Cam Lane is now a dead man.”
It was just as I’d thought. What I’d told the men at the diner the other day. The best intimidation a guy like Randy had was threatening the life of a loved one.
I took a deep breath, let it
out. Randy wasn’t a threat to me any longer. And Cam? That was something else and not my problem.
“You think she gives a shit about her brother?” Reed asked. “He gave her to you. The fact she got away proves she’s a better fighter than those two. You should be fucking glad I didn’t pull them from their car in the gym’s parking lot and finish them myself.” Reed tipped his chin up indicating the guys from the elevator. They fidgeted on the pavement but didn’t deny what they’d done or that they were a little afraid of Reed.
“She’s under my protection,” Quake told Randy, his words slow and clear. “If you or your men so much as look her way ever again, we’re going to have problems.”
Randy’s beady eyes flicked over me then away.
“She’s a fucking professor,” Quake continued. “Not even in your league. Look at her man beside her. You think he’s going to let this shit continue?”
Randy grunted. “I want your brother.”
“We have to get him for you?” Reed asked.
“From what I hear, he’s hiding out with Mommy and Daddy.” Randy looked pointedly at me. “Might have to stop in and visit them all.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Every one of them looked to me. “Mommy and Daddy like Cam a whole lot better than me. Tell them I said hi.”
“Here’s the deal, Randy,” Reed began. “You leave Harper alone, and we’ll let you keep your thumb up your ass where Cam’s concerned. We’ll give you a fucking trade when all I want to do is break your face.”
Randy arched a brow but kept his mouth shut.
This was part of the plan. Me for Cam.