High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER ONE

Bella

I close my eyes and put my head back letting the rain splash against my face. It’s been weeks since we’ve had a good down pour, and it feels good against my clammy skin. I press the volume button on my headphones, blasting Drake into my ears. I can’t wait to get in and shower. As much as I love my job, I hate being covered in sticky cake mix and icing sugar.

As I approach the small semi-detached house, which I share with my dad, I notice the black pick-up parked outside. It looks out of place in our run-down area, but it must be a visitor for the neighbour. The new girl that has moved in next door seems to have a lot of male callers and most look suspiciously loaded, not that I’m judging.

I open the front door and fight with my bag. Why can I never just stick my hand in and find my phone? It’s literally like Narnia in there with wrappers, deodorant, pens, my kindle, amongst other stuff and all I want to do is turn the music off.

I come to an abrupt stop; Standing in front of me is the biggest guy I have ever seen. For a second, I wonder if he’s a statue because he doesn’t move, he doesn’t speak; he just stands there looking completely cool, rocking a black suit and shades, blocking my entrance to the kitchen.

“Erm, hey.” I smile nervously.

He doesn’t speak but gives a slight nod of his head to acknowledge that he’s heard me.

“Dad?” I call out, not taking my eyes off mister muscle mountain.

“He’s in the kitchen,” he says, making me jump. He’s got such a deep voice, it rumbles through me, and I shiver. He notices my reaction because he sniggers, giving a knowing nod. He isn’t bad looking so I’m sure he’s used to getting that kind of reaction from women.

He moves to one side and points in the direction of the kitchen, like I don’t know where the hell my own kitchen is. I slowly edge past, keeping my eyes on him for any sudden movements. Not that I would do much if he suddenly made a grab for me, my height stands at just five-five, and I have a tiny, slim frame. It’s nothing compared to his large, well-built, mountain of a body. He clearly works out…a lot.

I open the kitchen door to find Dad sitting at the kitchen table looking glum. “Dad, who the hell is that man mountain in the hall?” I ask in a hushed tone, hoping the beastly guy doesn’t hear me, “I literally almost screamed the house down. And why is he just standing there not doing anything, it’s weird. What’s going on?”

I place my bag on the table and look up. My dad is staring past me, so I follow his line of vision and then let out a little yelp when I notice another huge guy. He’s stood at the far end of the kitchen, leaning against the wall and watching me with amusement.

“Oh dear god,” I squeak.

“Bella, this is Aiden Tremos.” I don’t miss the guilty look that crosses my dad’s face. I glance again at the stranger. He is so completely gorgeous that I daren’t look him full in the eye in case I make a complete idiot out of myself. He’s well-built, like the man mountain guarding the hall, but taller, with the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Tattoos crawl across his arms and up his neck and he’s dressed well, in navy suit trousers with a white shirt, the sleeves are rolled up, giving him a casual, yet dangerous look.

Aiden gives me a cocky grin and folds his arms across his broad chest. “Have you finished?” he asks, humour lacing his words.

I feel my face burn with embarrassment, he caught me ogling . I turn back to dad, who still isn’t meeting my eye. “Please tell me you don’t owe money again, Dad?”

He looks at Mr. Tremos who moves towards me, “Maybe you’d like to sit down?” he offers, pulling out a chair.

I take a step back, “No, I want to know what the hell’s going on?”

He grips the back of the chair and bites his lower lip, “Sit, Isabella.” The way he commands leaves no room for argument and I find myself lowering into the chair. I don’t think I should piss this guy off; he’s come with backup and who knows what they are into. Drugs, gambling? I’ve recently read that the numbers are on the rise for human trafficking.

“I own a few nightclubs and bars in the area,” he explains, sitting across from me. He looks too big to be at this table, in this kitchen. “Your dad was in one of my bars last night.” I look over at dad; I feel disappointment start to creep in.

He’s been battling an alcohol addiction for as long as I can remember. Mum died ten years ago, but it started way before then. I’ve spent most of my twenty-three years looking after him. Putting him to bed whenever he is too intoxicated and working extra hard to keep this roof over our heads. Lately, things have improved. Dad got a job at the local fish market, and for the last two months, he hasn’t drunk a drop. Stupid me for thinking we had turned a corner.

“Whatever he’s done, I’m sorry okay,” I say, “He isn’t well. If its money, I can pay you back, I just need time.”

He puts his hand up, effectively shutting me up. I bite my lower lip to stop me calling him out on that, I hate rudeness. “Your dad doesn’t owe me anything, but he was spouting some crazy stuff and I’m here because I’m worried he’s put you in danger.”

Relief floods me for a second, knowing that I won’t have to pay off another debt. My wage is only just covering everything as it is. But then the words sink in, he’s put me in danger. I glare at Dad, who grabs my hand, I pull it away before he gets chance to beg my forgiveness. “What kind of danger? ”

“He offered to sell you, Bella.” I inhale sharply. Of all the things I was expecting, that definitely wasn’t one of them.

“He what?” I gasp, convinced I misheard.

“Bella, I can explain,” rambles dad, tears forming in his eyes.

“Then please start,” I stand up and begin pacing the floor.

“I was stupidly drunk; I don’t remember much apart from waking up in Mr. Tremos’ office. But I’ve received texts from some nasty pieces of work telling me I owe them.”

The words are taking a while to penetrate my slow, tired brain.

I look at Mr. Tremos, whose watching our interaction with interest. I put my head in my hands, the reality of what is happening making me feel nauseous. “My god Dad, just when I think you can’t possibly fuck up anymore,” I mutter quietly. “When you say sell, what do you mean exactly? For work?” I ask, looking directly at Mr. Tremos.

He glances at my dad; then back to me. “No Bella, your virginity.”

I freeze, open mouthed, looking from him to my dad. It’s like a story from one of those stupid books I’ve been reading .

People tell me it’s something I should be proud of, my virginity, but I’m not. It’s like a bad omen, always hanging over me. It brings me stress whenever I meet someone new and becomes some big deal, and then before I know it, everything becomes about that instead of me.

“I don’t know what I was thinking, Bells, I’m so sorry,” says dad, interrupting my thoughts.

When I look at him, really look, I see the desperately sad old man he’s become. I was kidding myself he’d change. “You need to go, Dad. This is the final straw,” I whisper, hurt evident in my voice. I’ve spent most of my life caring for this waste of space and he repays me with this.

He looks at me confused. “It's not safe for you to stay here, sweetheart, not on your own. What if these guys come looking for you?”

“And where the hell am I supposed to go?”

He rubs my arms, sheer panic on his face, “Go back to Carl, just for a bit.”

I shove him away and he falls back, landing on his backside. “Go back to Carl. Are you serious right now? You think I’m safer with that maniac. Have you forgotten what he did to me? I hate him, more than I hate you right now, and that’s saying something. ”

“Bella, he’s a copper. He’ll keep you safe. Who’s going to come after a cop’s girl?” he asks, trying to convince himself more than me. “Besides, he’s expecting you.”

I glare at him. “You just went ahead and sorted that; you didn’t even talk to me about it?” I shake my head in annoyance, adding, “First you sell me, and then you dump me on the biggest arsehole you can find.”

“Well, when I realised what I’d done, Mr. Tremos suggested I find you somewhere safe to stop, I didn’t know where else was safe. I didn’t want to put Aria in any danger. I just thought Carl owes you one and he said he’d be happy to help out.”

Of course he would, he’s been trying to get in my knickers from the second he realised I was still a virgin. Creep.

Mr. Tremos stands, pulling my attention to him. He makes a show of refolding his shirt sleeves. “I’m sorry we met like this Bella. Good luck with...” he pauses, glancing at me, “everything.”

I place my hands on my hips. “Really, that’s all you’ve got?”

He stops at the door and turns back to face me. “Sorry?” he asks, confused.

“You come in here with that scary gorilla out there and you get all like; ‘Hey Bella your dads sold your ass to some dodgy bastards’ and then you just get up and go. I thought you were concerned for my safety.”

He gives a laugh. “I really don’t sound like that.”

“Did you buy me?”

He laughs again and shakes his head. “No, I turned the offer down.”

I arch a brow, folding my arms over my chest. “Why, am I not good enough?” I can’t believe I’ve just said that exact sentence out loud like some offended bitch, and I inwardly cringe.

He begins to walk towards the door again and I feel panic, like if he leaves, something bad will happen. Surely, I’m safer with him and his gorilla.

“What shall I do?” I ask.

He shrugs, pats the man mountain on the back and they leave. I stand there like a goldfish, my mouth opening and closing.

What the actual fuck just happened? This stuff doesn’t happen in real life, in MY life!