My Money Or Your Life
Scarlett Browne had just reached her car when the cold metal touched the side of her neck and she froze. Every muscle in her body locked at once. For one horrifying second, she couldn't breathe.
The parking lot behind the bar was almost empty. The music from inside had faded into a distant thump, barely audible through the brick walls. A few cars were scattered beneath the yellow glow of the security lights.
She had been thinking about kicking off her heels, taking a hot shower, and crawling into bed without having to speak to another human being, especially after her weird meeting with one of her chatty clients, who kept talking non stop about adoring his wife, but how necessary it was to have a little fun once in a while.
She had bills to pay, so she had no choice but to sit through that excruciatingly painful conversation. Then the gun touched her neck.
“Where do you think you're going?”
Scarlett's stomach dropped as her fingers slowly slipped away from her car door handle. She knew that voice, she could recognize it in every nightmare she had.
She swallowed. "Bullet."
A low chuckle sounded behind her. "Yes, baby."
Her eyes squeezed shut as Bullet pressed the barrel harder against her skin. "So," he murmured, "what do you think you're doing?"
Scarlett's breathing became shallow.
"I…"
"You know what I don't like?"
She said nothing.
"When people make me wait." His voice had lost its amusement. "You know I don't like waiting, Scarlett."
"I know and I can explain, I swear I was…."
He shushed her. “I've been waiting for my money, and right now I can't wait any more.” He was so close to her, she could feel the minty breath on her neck. “I need my money now baby girl.”
She was visibly shaking, because to know Bullet is to know that he doesn't bluff. Bullet was their boss and they paid him a percentage of their earnings. She's seen him harm so many girls for less.
Scarlett's lips trembled. “I was going to pay you.”
He laughed hysterically. "You were going to pay me."
"Yes."
"When?"
"I just needed a little more time."
"You always need more time, too bad you don't have the luxury of time right now."
Scarlett's eyes burned. "I wasn't trying to run away, I'll pay you Bullet. I haven't been out for a while."
The gun shifted slightly against her neck. "Who said anything about running?"
Scarlett couldn't answer. She could feel sweat forming beneath her hairline despite the cool night air. She slowly turned her head, the gun followed her movement.
She caught the faint outline of his face beneath the parking lot light.
The scar running down the left side of his face looked darker tonight. His eyes were cold.
"Please, Bullet."
"You know what?"
"What?"
"You're very beautiful, and that's why this is going to be such a shame."
Her blood ran cold.
Bullet leaned closer. "I hate making examples out of beautiful women."
"Don't." She was shaking.
"But sometimes it's necessary, how else will the others learn that I don't play about my money?"
Scarlett's knees weakened. "Bullet, please. I can get the money."
"Too late."
"Please!" She finally turned around. Bullet stood directly in front of her. The gun was no longer against her neck. It was pointed straight at her chest.
Bullet tilted his head. "My money or your life."
Scarlett shook her head violently, her eyes pleading as his thumb moved. The metallic click of the weapon being c****d echoed through the parking lot.
Scarlett's entire body went numb, tears blurring her vision.
“Stop!” She heard a voice come from behind him and it was deep and commanding. It had to be the voice of the Lord she thought to herself. He was here to save her sinful ass.
Bullet froze as he slowly turned his head.
A man stood several feet away. Scarlett hadn't heard him approach. He was very tall, and wore a dark suit that looked ridiculously expensive against the grimy surroundings of the parking lot. He looked intimidating, even Bullet was taken back by his audacity.
His gaze moved from Bullet to Scarlett.
Then to the gun. He didn't look frightened.
Bullet frowned. "Who the hell are you?"
The stranger's expression didn't change.
"You don't need to know."
Bullet scoffed. "You got a death wish or something?"
"Not really."
"Then keep walking."
The stranger didn't move. Bullet raised the gun slightly. "I said keep walking."
The man looked at him, then at Scarlett.
"What has she done?"
Bullet laughed. "That's none of your business."
"I asked a question."
"And I answered it." He spat out angrily.
"No." The stranger's voice remained frighteningly calm. "You’re about to pull the trigger on a young lady in a public parking lot and I'm asking why."
Bullet's eyes narrowed. "She owes me money." He flashed his broken teeth. “A whole lot of ‘em.”
The stranger glanced at Scarlett. She looked away immediately. "How much?”
Bullet hesitated, then his lips curled into a smile. He named an amount.
Scarlett's eyes widened. "That's not…" She stopped herself.
The stranger looked back at Bullet. "That's how much she owes you?"
"Every cent, and if you can't help her just be on your sorry way before I stop being nice."
The stranger reached into his pocket.
Scarlett stared at him. "I'll pay you."
Bullet blinked. "What?" He lowered the gun slightly. "You're serious?"
"Yes."
Bullet laughed. “You have to be a fool to pay such an amount of money for a woman you know nothing about.” He shrugged. “But what do I know, the most important thing is that I'm walking out of here with my money or two counts of murder.”
Scarlett watched in disbelief.
The stranger held out his hand. "Your account details."
Bullet gave them to him. The stranger typed something into his phone. Scarlett couldn't believe what she was watching.
Nobody did this. Nobody simply walked into someone else's problem and paid their debt, except Jesus.
"Done." He said without looking up.
Bullet checked his phone. His expression changed when he saw the notification. A wide grin spread across his face. He looked at Scarlett. "Looks like you're lucky tonight, baby."
Bullet pocketed his phone. Then he looked at the stranger. "It was nice doing business with you. I bet you'll be having your money's worth tonight.” He turned and walked towards his blue mustang.
Scarlett stood there watching him disappear between the cars. Just as she tried to put herself together and thank the man who saved her life, she saw him moving towards his car without even saying a word to her.
“Excuse me!” She called out, but he kept walking.
“Excuse me, please!” This time, he stopped and slowly turned around, still not saying a word to her.
Scarlett hurried toward him, still trying to process what had just happened. “I'm Scarlett.” His eyes remained on her. “I really want to say thank you.” She paused to catch her breath. “I don't know how I'm going to repay you, but I owe you.”
His expression remained unreadable.
“You can't even afford to save yourself,” he said calmly. “So I don't think you can afford to pay me back either.”
Scarlett's mouth fell open slightly. “Yeah,” she admitted. “You're right.”
She gave a nervous little laugh. “But thank you. Really. If there's anything I can do to show you how grateful I am, I would really appreciate it.”
He studied her for a moment. Then he said, “Stay out of trouble.”
Scarlett blinked. Before she could respond, he turned and walked away.
She stood there, watching him get into his car. The engine roared to life and just like that, he drove away.
Scarlett remained where she was. She didn't even know his name.
………..
Jude's phone rang as he drove. He glanced at the screen before answering.
“Hello?”
“Jude, it's Martin. I need to speak with you about the wedding cancellation.”
Jude's eyes narrowed. “No.”
Martin paused. “No?”
“We will not be canceling the wedding.” Without waiting for the response of his personal assistant, he ended the call.
His wedding was in less than two weeks and he didn't have a bride.
