SINdicate: A BT Urruela FanFiction Novel: Cerberus MC Book 1.5 by Marie James

neighborhood. It was either learn to fight or get your ass whipped every day.”
    “You owe me twenty thousand dollars,” Vinnie says, reminding me of just how fucked I am. “You know what happens to the guys that can’t pay me back my money?”
    I want to tell him that I heard abducting innocent women was his thing, but I keep that shit to myself. Aviana, hopefully, is still alive out there somewhere, and it wouldn’t bode well for her if I mentioned anything like that.
    “Besides the spa treatment I’m getting right now?” Vito and the other man in the room chuckle, but Vinnie is less than impressed. I’m a smartass, been this way my entire life. Pretty sad when I can’t even turn it off in the face of adversity. This man made his mind up before he walked into this room what my fate would be. I don’t imagine busting his chops a little is going to change that, and I refuse to look like a pussy. That’s BT coming out; Mike Hawke would beg for his life, but at this moment in time, if I’m going to die, I’ll do it with pride and dignity.
    “Most men are disposed of quickly when I don’t see an alternative for payment,” Vinnie says. “You, however, have a certain skill set I see as being beneficial to my organization.”
    I tilt my head as hope flares in my chest. I don’t say a word, rather I just stare at him and try to determine where he’s going next.
    “I have a proposition for you, Mr. Hawke,” he says and narrows his eyes when he can tell I’m about to come back with some smart-assed comment. I swallow my remark and do my best to skill my face into impassivity. “I have a way to allow you to live and pay me back.”
    This could be worse than death. I know whatever he expects me to do will not border on legality but will cross the line so far I’ll end up in prison. I nod my head, even though it’s the last thing I want to do. I may only be changing the date on my death certificate, but it’s better than coming to an end today.
    “Whatever you need,” I say, sliding back into Mike Hawke’s persona.
    “I’m always looking for men with your skill set.” When I tilt my head in confusion, he continues. “Recovery.” He says simply.
    “Recovery?” I know what he’s talking about, but I want him to say the words.
    “You’ll work with Vito here,” he nods toward the guy to my right.
    “A job?” I smile at him. This situation just took one hell of a turn for the better.
    “Vito will show you the ropes. You can count half of what you recover toward your debt.” He walks away, and I hear the door slam behind me.
    This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. A Vegas mob boss just loans out money like it’s no big fucking deal, then offers me a job. He’s so narcissistic; he doesn’t even consider I’d agree and take off the first second I get a chance? Insane, the man is insane. Well, his mental health issues are only concerning to me in that he’s just given me the perfect in to this organization. This is the best possible outcome I could hope for with the way the situation turned to shit.
    He didn’t even wait for my answer. He didn’t have to; he knew I had no other choice but to say yes.

Chapter 16
    BT
    I shift my body quickly towards the guy I kneed in the balls earlier as he bends down to cut my legs free. I smirk when he shifts backward quickly. Clearly this fucker is scared of me. He better be. I turn my attention to Vito, who is clearly the next top guy just under Vinnie.
    “We have the best resources in tracking people,” Vito says before giving the guy at my feet the nod to cut my arms free. “You take off, and we’ll track you down like a dog and slaughter you in the street.”
    Ballsy threat. “As you heard,” I say calmly. “I got fired from my job. This offer is the best one I’ve had in years.”
    He nods, taking me at my word and whatever info he gathered from my background check. This actually makes him an idiot. He knows I have nothing to lose.