POV: Darius
Location: Wolfe Hotels Headquarters, Manhattan Penthouse Office
"I love rainy days," I muttered under my breath.
Rain poured heavily against the tall windows of my office, blurring the glowing city outside.
Manhattan was drowning in grey. Streets were slick with water, and red taillights streaked through the storm. It was the kind of day that made most men restless. But not me. I liked the rain.
It reminded people who was in control.
I sat behind my black desk, flipping through the file in front of me. Each page I turned was worse than the last.
Victor Reed.
A parasite in fake designer shoes. Lived off his wife's fortune until she finally threw him out. Then he ran straight to me—well, to my casino—bleeding money he didn't have. It started small. A few grand. Then it snowballed. Now, he owed me six figures.
And the bastard thought he could disappear.
I picked up my phone and hit speed dial. One ring. Two. Then a voice.
"Yeah, Boss?" Caleb's voice was sharp and focused. Always efficient.
"What's the deal with Reed?"
There was a pause. I heard a door slam on his end.
"He was supposed to pay up this morning, but he's been MIA since last night," Caleb said. "Slipped out of his building. Left his car behind. No card activity either."
I clenched my teeth.
"Sneaky bastard," I muttered. "Find him. Drag him here. I'm at the office. I want to deal with him personally."
"No problem. I'll get back to you," Caleb replied.
I ended the call and tapped the folder again. Victor's photo stared back at me—middle-aged, tired eyes, fake smile. The type of man who thought charm could hide weakness.
I scoffed.
"He should've known better," I said to no one.
He borrowed from me, and he thought there wouldn't be consequences?
About thirty-five minutes passed before my phone buzzed again.
Caleb.
"We got the fool," he said, sounding proud. "Tried sneaking out the back of some cheap motel in Brooklyn. Thought he was clever."
"Bring him to me."
"On our way."
I closed the file and leaned back in my chair, eyes on the rain outside. I didn't enjoy hurting people. But I did enjoy justice.
Debt was a contract. And Victor was about to learn just how serious mine were.
Exactly ten minutes later, the door to my office opened.
Victor Reed was shoved inside. Soaked from head to toe, looking like a wet dog. Caleb followed behind him. Victor dropped to his knees the second he saw me.
"Mr. Wolfe!" he gasped. "Please! I wasn't trying to run!"
I said nothing. Just stared.
He kept talking.
"I—I swear, I was just on my way to get the money! I swear on my life—"
"On your life?" I finally said, voice low. "That's a risky thing to gamble with, Victor."
"I would never run, sir! Never! This is all just a misunderstanding!"
"A misunderstanding?" I repeated, slow and cold. "That's what you're calling it?"
"Yes, sir."
I glanced at Caleb.
"He was halfway out the fire escape," Caleb said. "Had a duffel bag and a fake ID."
Victor whimpered. "It was just a precaution! Just in case! I wasn't really leaving!"
I stood up. "Where's my money, Victor?"
He started rubbing his hands, trembling. "Please. Just give me one more month. I promise I'll get it all. I just need more time—"
"You've already had time," I cut in. "What you're asking for is mercy. And I'm not in the mood."
I walked around the desk slowly.
"What do you think, Caleb? Should we show him some mercy?"
Caleb smirked. "We could sell his kidneys. Not sure it'll cover the debt, but it's a start."
Victor's face turned white.
"No! Please don't—I'm begging you!"
I tilted my head, watching him fall apart. It was pathetic.
Then suddenly, his eyes lit up. He looked desperate… and dangerous.
"I—I have daughters," he said.
I paused. "What?"
"Two of them. One's twenty-eight, the other's twenty-five. You can take the younger one. Do whatever you want."
Silence.
Was he… offering me his daughter?
I stared at him. For a moment, I wasn't sure what I felt. Disgust. Surprise. Curiosity.
"You're offering me one of your children," I said slowly. "Like cattle."
He nodded quickly. "Take her. She's useless to me. Shouldn't have been born anyway. You can have her."
I walked back to the desk and picked up the file.
"You said you have two daughters."
"Yes."
"Then I'll interview both."
"But I'm giving you the second one! She's the troublemaker. Just take her and—"
"That's not up for discussion," I said coldly.
He froze.
"I'll meet them both," I repeated. "I'll decide who I want… if I even want either of them."
His face fell. "But the younger one—"
"Not. Up. For. Discussion."
Caleb stepped forward, grabbed Victor by the collar.
"Get him out of my sight," I said.
"Gladly," Caleb muttered, dragging him out.
As soon as the door closed, I turned to the window again. The storm outside had gotten worse. Lightning split the sky.
Victor had just surprised me.
The door opened again. Caleb came in quietly, waiting.
I didn't turn around.
"Well?" I asked.
"You sure about this?" he asked, blunt as always. "Taking one of his daughters as payment?"
"I haven't taken anything yet," I replied. "But if I don't like either, he still owes me. And I'll collect one way or another."
He stayed silent for a moment.
"You're really going to their house?"
"I am. He made his offer. Now I'll make mine."
He didn't say more.
When he left, I stayed by the window, staring at my reflection in the glass.
Victor Reed owes me.
And now I'm coming to collect.
Let's see what kind of daughters a man like that raises.