Chapter 3 - The Brother Who Came Back
Liam called at 11:47 p.m.
Emma sat inside Victor’s study.
Victor stood beside the fireplace.
Paul waited near the window.
The phone vibrated.
Emma answered.
“Liam?”
“Em?”
Her eyes closed briefly.
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you.”
“You disappeared.”
“I know.”
“You left me with your debt!”
Victor watched her.
Liam went silent.
Then:
“I didn't know Dalton would come after you.”
Emma's expression changed.
“What do you mean?”
“I thought the debt was mine.”
“It was.”
“No.”
Victor’s eyes sharpened.
Liam continued.
“Dalton changed the paperwork.”
Paul silently moved closer.
Emma asked, “Why?”
“Because I saw something.”
“What?”
“His ledger.”
Victor became completely still.
Liam lowered his voice.
“Dalton has been stealing from Hayes.”
Paul mouthed a curse.
“How much?” Emma asked.
“Millions.”
Victor stepped closer to the phone.
Liam continued.
“I copied everything.”
“Where are you?”
“Don't ask.”
“Liam—”
“Dalton knows I have it.”
A sound came through the phone.
Liam suddenly stopped speaking.
“Liam?”
Nothing.
“Liam?”
Then he whispered.
“I have to go.”
The line disconnected.
Emma stood.
“We have to find him.”
Victor didn't move.
“Paul.”
“Already tracing.”
Emma crossed toward Victor.
“He's in danger.”
“I know.”
“Then do something.”
Paul looked at her like she'd just kicked a sleeping lion.
Victor merely studied her.
Emma realized her mistake.
“Sorry.”
Victor almost smiled.
“Don't be.”
Paul looked at his phone.
“Got him.”
“Where?”
“Bus terminal near Port Alder.”
Victor grabbed his jacket.
Emma followed.
“No.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“You stay here.”
“He's my brother.”
“And Dalton may be there.”
“Exactly.”
Victor stepped closer.
“Emma.”
“No.”
His eyebrows lifted.
Paul suddenly became fascinated with his phone.
Emma continued.
“I spent three months cleaning your house because of Liam. I'm not sitting here while someone decides whether he lives.”
Victor stared at her for several seconds.
Then:
“Stay beside me.”
---
They found Liam behind the terminal.
He looked exhausted.
Emma ran toward him.
“Liam!”
He caught her.
“Em.”
She slapped him.
Liam blinked.
Then she hugged him.
Victor watched silently.
Liam saw him over Emma’s shoulder.
Fear replaced relief.
“Mr. Hayes.”
Victor approached.
“You have something belonging to me.”
Liam slowly removed a flash drive from his jacket.
“Everything Dalton stole.”
Victor took it.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why expose him?”
Liam looked at Emma.
“Because he put my sister into the debt.”
Victor nodded once.
“Good answer.”
Paul appeared from the corner.
“Boss.”
Victor turned.
“Dalton's gone.”
“Where?”
“We don't know.”
Liam spoke.
“I might.”
Everyone looked at him.
“He has another office.”
“Where?”
Liam gave them the address.
Victor handed the drive to Paul.
“Verify everything.”
Emma touched Victor’s sleeve.
He looked down at her hand.
She quickly removed it.
“What happens to Liam?”
Victor looked at her brother.
“That depends.”
Liam swallowed.
“On what?”
“Whether you're finished gambling.”
“Yes.”
Victor remained silent.
Liam corrected himself.
“I want to be.”
“That wasn't what I asked.”
Liam took a breath.
“I'm finished.”
Victor nodded.
“Then prove it.”
Emma frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Victor looked at her.
“It means your brother gets an opportunity most men who owe me ninety thousand dollars don't receive.”
“A second chance?”
“One.”
Liam stared at him.
“Why?”
Victor's gaze moved briefly toward Emma.
“Because your sister already paid enough.”
Emma felt something shift between them.
May you like
Something neither of them was ready to name.
---
