Chapter 6 - The Last Payment
Dalton’s arrest broke open the entire scheme.
Investigators recovered records showing that dozens of debts had been manipulated.
Liam’s was among them.
The legitimate amount he owed was far smaller than Dalton claimed.
Victor erased the remaining balance anyway.
Liam stared across Victor’s desk.
“You're serious?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Victor looked irritated.
“Everyone keeps asking me that.”
Emma stood beside her brother.
“Because you don't normally forgive debts.”
“I didn't forgive it.”
Victor pushed a document across the desk.
“I changed the payment.”
Liam read it.
His expression shifted.
“What is this?”
“A job.”
Emma frowned.
Victor explained.
“One of my warehouses needs inventory staff.”
Liam looked suspicious.
“You want me working for you?”
“I want you working.”
Victor leaned back.
“Legal paycheck. Fixed hours. Every dollar accounted for.”
Liam looked at Emma.
She smiled.
“Take it.”
Liam swallowed.
“What happens if I gamble again?”
Victor’s expression became serious.
“You lose the job.”
“That's it?”
“No.”
Victor pointed toward Emma.
“You explain it to her.”
Liam visibly reconsidered his life choices.
“Okay. That's worse.”
Emma punched his shoulder.
Victor smiled.
Liam signed.
---
Later that evening, Emma packed her belongings from the staff quarters.
Mrs. Whitaker appeared.
“You're leaving?”
“My debt is finished.”
“Mr. Hayes didn't dismiss you.”
Emma paused.
“He didn't?”
“No.”
Emma found Victor in the library.
“You forgot something.”
Victor looked up.
“What?”
“To fire me.”
“I didn't forget.”
“My debt is gone.”
“Yes.”
“So why am I still employed?”
Victor closed his book.
“Because you're good at your job.”
Emma stared at him.
“That's your answer?”
“Would you prefer another?”
“Maybe.”
Victor stood.
He walked toward her.
“You're not required to stay.”
“I know.”
“You'll receive normal hours.”
“Good.”
“Normal salary.”
“Better.”
“No eighteen-hour shifts.”
“Excellent.”
Victor stopped in front of her.
“And you never enter this study after three in the morning.”
Emma smiled.
“Why?”
“Apparently strange things happen.”
She laughed.
Victor's expression softened.
Then Emma asked the question that had been waiting between them.
“What are we doing?”
Victor didn't pretend not to understand.
“I don't know.”
“That might be the first time Victor Hayes has ever said those words.”
“It is.”
Emma looked at him.
“You're my employer.”
“I can change that.”
“Victor.”
“I didn't mean what you think.”
She raised an eyebrow.
He sighed.
“I can transfer you to another property.”
“And then?”
“Then if you decide to have dinner with me, you're having dinner with a man. Not your employer. Not the person holding your brother's debt.”
Emma studied him.
“You've thought about this.”
“Extensively.”
“That's almost romantic.”
“Don't tell anyone.”
“Your reputation?”
“Destroyed.”
Emma stepped closer.
“One dinner.”
Victor nodded.
“One.”
“No bodyguards sitting at the table.”
“Fine.”
“No terrifying restaurant where everyone stops talking when you walk inside.”
Victor hesitated.
“That's harder.”
Emma laughed.
Victor smiled.
May you like
And for the first time, whatever existed between them had no debt attached to it.
---
