Chapter 3 - The Man Who Came to Collect
Three days later, Arthur had gained four pounds.
Nora hated that everyone knew.
Dominic announced it at breakfast.
“Four pounds.”
Arthur glared at him.
Nora placed oatmeal on the table.
“Congratulations. Should we buy balloons?”
Arthur looked at the bowl.
“What is this?”
“Breakfast.”
“It looks like cement.”
“Eat it.”
Arthur took a bite.
Dominic shook his head.
“I've watched this man make senators nervous.”
Nora poured coffee.
“Senators probably don't control his breakfast.”
Arthur looked at her.
“You enjoy this too much.”
“Absolutely.”
Something had changed inside the mansion.
Arthur still handled business.
Men still arrived in black cars.
Doors still closed when conversations became dangerous.
But every morning and evening, Arthur entered the kitchen.
Sometimes Nora cooked.
Sometimes he watched.
Sometimes they argued.
He was eating.
Then Frank Delaney arrived.
Nora was leaving through the service entrance at 9:20 p.m. when a black SUV waited beside the gate.
A man leaned against it.
Frank Delaney was in his fifties, heavyset and smiling.
“Nora.”
She stopped.
“You shouldn't be here.”
“You missed Friday.”
“I told you. Monday.”
“Terms changed.”
Her stomach tightened.
“What?”
“Your brother owes one hundred thousand now.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Interest.”
“In three days?”
Frank shrugged.
“Risk.”
Nora stepped backward.
“You stay away from Caleb.”
“Then pay.”
A voice came from behind her.
“How much?”
Frank looked past Nora.
Arthur Vale stood beneath the entrance light.
Dominic beside him.
Two security men remained farther back.
Frank's smile disappeared.
“Mr. Vale.”
Arthur walked forward.
“You were speaking to my employee.”
“Private matter.”
“You're standing on my property.”
Frank straightened.
“Her family owes me money.”
Arthur looked at Nora.
“You said eighty-six.”
“It was.”
Frank smiled again.
“Interest.”
Arthur nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
Nora stepped between them.
“Arthur, don't.”
Frank glanced at her.
Arthur noticed.
“Don't look at her.”
Frank froze.
Arthur’s voice never rose.
“Look at me.”
Frank did.
Arthur continued.
“You'll receive the original principal her father borrowed.”
Nora spun around.
“No.”
Arthur ignored her.
“No interest.”
Frank laughed nervously.
“That's not how lending works.”
“It is tonight.”
“You don't control Boston.”
Arthur stepped closer.
“No.”
His expression remained calm.
“But you're not in Boston.”
Frank’s smile vanished.
Dominic handed him an envelope.
Frank looked inside.
Arthur said, “Original principal. Verified against your records.”
Frank stared.
“How did you—”
“Take it.”
Frank hesitated.
“And the remaining balance?”
“Doesn't exist.”
Frank looked toward Nora.
Arthur moved between them.
“If you contact Nora or Caleb again, you won't be discussing money with them.”
Frank swallowed.
“You threatening me?”
“No.”
Arthur glanced toward Dominic.
“I'm explaining the terms.”
Frank took the envelope.
He entered his SUV.
Seconds later, it disappeared beyond the gates.
Nora rounded on Arthur.
“I told you not to interfere.”
“You're welcome.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
“You paid him!”
“I paid the principal.”
“I can't repay you.”
“I didn't ask.”
“That’s exactly the problem!”
Arthur stopped.
Nora’s eyes were wet with anger.
“I don't want to belong to another man because he paid my family's debt.”
Arthur's expression changed.
“You think that's what I want?”
“I don't know what you want.”
“Neither do I.”
The admission surprised them both.
Arthur stepped closer.
“You owe me nothing.”
“Men like you don't do things for nothing.”
Arthur’s voice dropped.
“You made me eat.”
Nora stared at him.
“That doesn't make me worth eighty-six thousand dollars.”
“No.”
Arthur looked directly into her eyes.
“It makes you worth more than money.”
Nora said nothing.
Neither noticed Dominic watching from the doorway.
But Dominic noticed something else.
Across the road, a second car pulled away.
Someone had been watching.
May you like
And they weren't one of Frank Delaney's men.
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