The next day at school, Tony kept his promise.
He waited outside like he belonged there.
"What are you doing here?" Tracy whispered, shocked.
"I came to see you," he said simply.
He walked her toward Violetta's school, but Tracy stopped him. "You can't wait here. I'm not supposed to talk to boys."
"Fine," he said. "But you'll call me tonight. And I'll see you tomorrow."
Before Tracy could respond, Pru popped up behind her.
"I saw you," Pru sang. "So what you gonna give me not to tell?"
Tracy's heart dropped. "What do you want?"
"Your new little boyfriend got money. Tell him I want a job."
"I just met him," Tracy whispered. "I can't ask him that."
"Oh yes, you can."
And Pru walked off smirking.
That night, Tracy told Tony everything.
"My sister's threatening to tell. She wants… a job."
Tony sighed. She better be worth this hush money, he thought.
"That's it? Fine. She can have a job. Hell, she can have an apartment—keep her out your business."
Tracy's breath caught. "You'll have to talk to her… she'll be out there tomorrow."
"Good," he said. "Now… back to us."
Tracy blushed so hard she had to end the call.
Pru, meanwhile, was practically vibrating with greedy excitement. Job? Apartment? A man with money?
She wasn't trying to take a piece of Tony.
She wanted the whole damn pot.
The next day, Pru met Tony dressed like she stepped out of a music video. Tony looked her up and down. She was fine—anyone could see that.
"Let's talk business," he said. "I don't have much time."
He tossed her a set of keys.
"Apartment. And that white car over there. It'll do for now."
Pru could've fainted.
Tony pulled out his phone. "I'll get Violetta today. You spend time with Tracy."
Pru pretended to care about Tracy, but she was already plotting how to steal Tony for herself.
When Tracy came out of school, Tony wasn't quiet about it.
"HEY TRACY!" he called loud enough for half the school to hear.
People turned. Eyes widened. Even Booter—the chubby football player—recognized him.
Tony grabbed Tracy's hand and walked her right to his car.
"Where's Violetta?" she asked.
"Pru's getting her," Tony said. "Come on. Time to meet your new boss."
Tracy froze. "My what?"
He smirked. "You heard me."
Two boys from her math class watched from the sidewalk.
"Booter!" Tony called.
Booter jogged over, nervous. "What's up, cuz?"
"This my girl Tracy," Tony said. "You know her?"
"Yeah, she in my math class," Booter replied.
"Good. Keep an eye on her."
Tony pulled off as Tracy blinked, stunned.
"Your girl?" she asked quietly. "What do I have to do now?"
"Nothing," Tony said, looking at her like she was his. "Just stay pretty."
He leaned in and kissed her—soft but claiming.
Tracy turned her head away fast, blushing, heart racing.
She didn't know what Tony really wanted…
But she liked the way he made her feel.
And that was dangerous.
Very, very dangerous.