Crimson Park

Chapter 20

You stepped backwards slowly, quietly – to try to prevent Carter from noticing you, but just as you were about to round the corner, he looked up, and your eyes locked.

"There she is," Carter's voice bellowed. "There's the bitch of the hour."

"What are you doing here?" you crossed your arms over your chest and straightened your shoulders.

"I came for a drink," he lifted a bottle of rye into the air. "I'll pour you one."

"No, I'm good," you replied, eyeing him carefully. He didn't look at you, nor did he say anything. He just manoeuvred himself to the counter and began to pour two tumblers of the dark liquor. He then lifted one to his lips and took a long gulp to empty the glass.

Crash!

The sound of crystal shattering over tile made you jump as Carter threw the tumbler onto your floor. He looked up to you, red in the face, his eyes searing.

"What are you doing?!" you yelled in irritation.

"You, cunt, are the reason for this!" he raised his still bandaged fingers in the air. "You just couldn't keep your fucking mouth shut!"

"Carter, whatever happened, happened because of your own doing."

"I thought you had my back."

"Your back?" you patronised him. "Why the fuck would I protect you? You're the one who swindled me into this place!"

"And fucking look at you now, huh?" he reached into the booze pantry again and pulled out and expensive bottle of whiskey. "Living the life."

With one swoop he smashed the bottle on the counter, leaving the floor a slippery, glass covered mess while he held tight to the jagged neck of the bottle. You didn't flinch. You didn't want to show him any fear. He stared back at you, waving the bottle in his hand as he searched for any sign that you were intimidated by him. But he didn't find it.

"I did my job, and you kept your life, Carter. Why don't you just accept it and move on?"

A wicked grin crept across his face and something about it knotted your throat. "Oh, sweetie, you would like that if I moved on... wouldn't you?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Carter picked up the second tumbler and took a sip, trying his best to build your anticipation... it worked.

"I did a little digging, Y/N. I found something really, really interesting. You've been doing a little skimming of your own."

Fuck! What did he find?

"Someone has been charging an extra dollar off the heads of each of the prostitutes. Sound familiar?"

He did find it.

"And I followed your man... what did you say his name was? Jookook? Junghuk? Anyways – turns out he's been dropping a little something off each month to the recruitment centre... Remember? The one I found you in?"

Recruitment Centre? What an asshole.

"It's a shelter, Carter."

"But it is Dongnam's recruitment centre. What would he think if he found out that you were not only taking his money, but also blocking his business? I think he'd have more than just your fingernails, Y/N."

You sighed deeply and raised your chin.

"I thought I'd want to kill you myself," he continued. "But I also think whatever he does to you would be far more satisfying."

"What do you want?" you asked.

"I want a cut. Take two dollars off every head and I get 75%. You cover it up, and I keep my mouth shut."