Chapter 2 - The Debt Was Never Hers
Dr. Samuel Keller arrived twenty minutes later.
Victor hated doctors.
Emma discovered that immediately.
“Sit still,” Keller ordered.
“I am sitting.”
“You've moved six times.”
“You're irritating me.”
“You're bleeding.”
Victor looked toward Paul.
“Why is he still talking?”
Paul shrugged.
“He's the only doctor willing to insult you.”
Emma stood near the door holding clean towels.
She had attempted to leave twice.
Victor had stopped her both times.
“Emma.”
“Yes?”
“Stay.”
That word again.
Keller glanced between them.
Interesting.
Emma pretended not to notice.
The doctor examined Victor’s shoulder.
“The wound reopened.”
Victor looked at Emma.
“Apparently I had a restless night.”
Emma stared at the floor.
Paul coughed suspiciously.
Victor's eyes moved toward him.
Paul immediately became serious.
Keller finished dressing the injury.
“You need forty-eight hours of rest.”
“No.”
“Twenty-four.”
“No.”
“Twelve?”
Victor stood.
“Get out.”
Keller packed his bag.
“You're an impossible patient.”
“I've been called worse.”
After the doctor left, Emma reached for her cleaning bucket.
Victor spoke.
“Sit.”
She looked at him.
“I should finish downstairs.”
“Sit.”
Emma obeyed.
Victor opened a drawer and removed a folder.
He tossed it onto the desk.
Her name was written across the front.
EMMA CARTER.
Emma’s stomach tightened.
Victor opened it.
“Liam borrowed ninety thousand dollars.”
“I know.”
“He's repaid twelve.”
“I've repaid another seventeen.”
Victor looked up.
“You?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Emma stared at him.
“Because he's my brother.”
“That wasn't my question.”
“He has a problem.”
“He has several.”
Emma's jaw tightened.
“He wasn't always like this.”
Victor leaned back.
“What happened?”
“Our father died.”
Victor waited.
Emma continued.
“Liam started gambling. At first it was sports. Then cards. Then private games.”
“And eventually my games.”
“Yes.”
Victor closed the folder.
“Where is he?”
“I don't know.”
Victor's expression hardened.
Emma quickly added, “I really don't.”
“I believe you.”
That surprised her.
“Then why am I here?”
Victor stared at her.
“Because somebody decided making you work eighteen-hour shifts was an acceptable method of collecting his debt.”
Emma said nothing.
Victor pressed a button on his desk.
Paul entered.
“Who manages household payroll?”
“Mrs. Whitaker.”
“Bring her.”
Ten minutes later, the estate manager stood before Victor.
Mrs. Whitaker was sixty, severe, and normally terrifying.
Now she looked nervous.
Victor tapped Emma’s folder.
“Who authorized eighteen-hour shifts?”
Mrs. Whitaker swallowed.
“The Carter debt required—”
“Who authorized it?”
“Mr. Dalton.”
Paul’s expression changed.
Victor noticed.
“Interesting.”
Emma looked between them.
“Who is Dalton?”
Victor answered without looking away from Paul.
“My financial manager.”
Paul said quietly, “And Liam’s bookmaker.”
The room went silent.
Emma stood.
“What?”
Victor turned toward her.
Paul explained.
“Dalton recruited Liam into the private games.”
Emma's face drained.
“No.”
Victor's voice became cold.
“How long?”
Paul pulled out his phone.
“I'll find out.”
Victor looked at Mrs. Whitaker.
“Emma’s debt arrangement ends now.”
Emma stared at him.
“Wait.”
Victor continued.
“Pay every unpaid overtime hour.”
“Mr. Hayes—”
“Triple rate.”
Mrs. Whitaker nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
Emma stepped forward.
“You can't do that.”
Victor finally looked at her.
“Apparently I can.”
“Liam still owes you.”
“Liam does.”
Emma stared at him.
Victor leaned closer.
“You don't.”
For the first time in three months, Emma had no idea what to say.
---
That afternoon, Paul returned with worse news.
“Dalton disappeared.”
Victor looked up.
“When?”
“Two hours ago.”
Emma was standing near the doorway.
Victor noticed her reaction.
“What?”
She hesitated.
“Liam called me yesterday.”
Victor became still.
“What did he say?”
“He asked whether Dalton still worked here.”
Paul stepped closer.
“Anything else?”
Emma nodded.
“He said he'd found something.”
Victor’s eyes narrowed.
“What?”
“He wouldn't tell me.”
“When did he say he'd call again?”
Emma looked at the clock.
“Tonight.”
Paul and Victor exchanged a glance.
Victor spoke quietly.
“When he calls, you answer.”
Emma nodded.
Victor added, “And Emma?”
“Yes?”
May you like
“You don't tell Liam I'm listening.”
---
