Epilogue
Peace Sells
Cade
I knock on the door and look around the hallway. I need to get a contractor out here and figure out how to remodel this complex without making the tenants leave for an unknown amount of time. Maybe a new building first to move them into and then redoing this one.
The door in front of me swings open, revealing a sixteen-year-old kid with a scowl. His black hair is a mess, and his green eyes are piercing.
Manuel Carrasco. AKA Manny.
“Hey, kid,” I mumble. I’m uncomfortable as hell and trying not to let it show. I think Amanda has broken my acting ability.
“What,” he barks back like he’s a thirty-year-old man ready to turn this into a fistfight. He’s nothing but skin and bones under his baggy clothing.
“I’m Cade, the owner of this place.”
He pales, all his angry attitude stifled for a second. He rallies, reminding me of Amanda.
“And? I pay my rent.”
I scoff, unable to help myself.
“Bullshit.”
He tries to slam the door, but I hold it open with one hand. It’s so easy it makes my chest ache. This kid should be a powerhouse, not struggling to keep me at bay.
“I’m Amanda’s boyfriend,” I add through gritted teeth. “Free place to stay for life, kid.”
That stops the fruitless struggle. He stares at me warily, concern leaking around the edges.
“Is she ok?”
I raise a brow. “She beat my ass at a racing game this morning and made me drink two bottles of my best friend’s disgusting tea as my punishment. How do you think she is?”
He lets out a chuckle and says, “That’s what you get for betting against her.”
Now he tells me. My stomach still isn’t right.
“Anyway, she’s told me a lot about you. I’m here to offer you a job. A new place to stay.”
It also helps that I looked into his history. Drug-addict parents who left him behind to search for a higher high. He hasn’t been in school or noticed for the most part. He has so much damn potential and no idea. His test scores before he disappeared are off the charts.
“I’m listening,” he gets a gleam in his eyes. I can tell he’s suspicious, too. If it looks too good, it’s a trap. He’s way too young to know that, but he does. It sobers me.
“It's not an easy job, but it pays well,” I start off. “Some guys bought the building across the street from our office, and we need someone to keep an eye on them.”
His eyes narrow.
“Go on.”