Walking Disaster

now, are ya? Mick didn’t tell me what a looker you’ve grown into. I’ve been waiting for you, Cookie. I hear you
have a payment for me.”
    Abby nodded, and Benny gestured to the rest of us. “They’re with me,” she said, her voice surprisingly strong.
    “I’m afraid your companions will have to wait outside,” the doorman said in an abnormally deep bass tone.
    I took Abby by the arm, turning my shoulder in a protective stance. “She’s not going in there alone. I’m coming with her.”
    Benny eyed me for a moment, and then smiled to his doorman. “Fair enough. Mick will be glad to know you have such a good friend with you.”
    We followed him inside. I kept a firm grip on Abby’s arm, making sure to stand between her and the biggest threat—the doorman. We walked behind Benny, followed him into an elevator,
and then traveled up four floors.
    When the doors opened, a large mahogany desk came into view. Benny hobbled to his plush chair and sat down, gesturing for us to take the two empty seats facing his desk. I sat, but adrenaline
was streaming through my veins, making me twitch and fidget. I could hear and see everything in the room, including the two thugs standing in the shadows behind Benny’s desk.
    Abby reached over to grab my hand, and I gave her a reassuring squeeze.
    “Mick owes me twenty-five thousand. I trust you have the full amount,” Benny said, scribbling something on a notepad.
    “Actually,” Abby paused, clearing her throat, “I’m five K short, Benny. But I have all day tomorrow to get that. And five thousand is no problem, right? You know
I’m good for it.”
    “Abigail,” Benny said, frowning, “You disappoint me. You know my rules better than that.”
    “P-please, Benny. I’m asking you to take the nineteen-nine, and I’ll have the rest for you tomorrow.”
    Benny’s beady eyes darted from Abby to me, and then back again. The thugs stepped out of their dark corners, and the hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end again.
    “You know I don’t take anything but the full amount. The fact that you’re trying to hand me less tells me something. You know what it tells me? That you’re not sure if
you can get the full amount.”
    The thugs took another step forward. I took stock of their pockets and any shape under their clothing that screamed weapon. They both had some sort of knife, but I didn’t see any guns.
That didn’t mean they didn’t have one stuffed in a boot, but I doubted either one was as fast as me. If I needed to, I could get it away from them and get us the hell out of there.
    “I can get your money, Benny,” Abby giggled nervously. “I won eighty-nine hundred in six hours.”
    “So are you saying you’ll bring me eighty-nine hundred in six more hours?” Benny smiled his devilish grin.
    “The deadline isn’t until midnight tomorrow,” I said, glancing behind us and watching the approaching shadow men.
    “W-what are you doing, Benny?” Abby asked, her posture rigid.
    “Mick called me tonight. He said you’re taking care of his debt.”
    “I’m doing him a favor. I don’t owe you any money,” she said sternly.
    Benny leaned both of his fat, stubby elbows onto his desk. “I’m considering teaching Mick a lesson, and I’m curious just how lucky you are, kiddo.”
    Instinctively, I shot out of my chair, pulling Abby with me. I jerked her behind me, backing up toward the door.
    “Josiah is outside the door, young man. Where exactly do you think you’re going to escape to?”
    “Travis,” Abby warned.
    There would be no more talking. If I let either of these goons past me, they would hurt Abby. I moved her behind me.
    “I hope you know, Benny, that when I take out your men, I mean no disrespect. But I’m in love with this girl, and I can’t let you hurt her.”
    Benny burst into a loud cackle. “I gotta hand it to you, son. You’ve got the biggest balls of anyone that’s come through those doors. I’ll prepare you for what
you’re about to get. The rather large fella to your right is David, and if he can’t take you out with his fists, he’s going to use that knife in his holster. The man to your left
is Dane, and he’s my best fighter. He’s got a fight tomorrow, as a matter of fact, and he’s never lost. Mind you don’t hurt your hands, Dane. I’ve got a lot of money
riding on you.”
    Dane smiled at me with wild, amused eyes. “Yes, sir.”
    “Benny, stop! I can get you the money!” Abby