Page 19 of Fearless Sinner

“Do you think Harlan will come back here?”

“No. I wouldn’t be too surprised if he saw your mother collapse on the floor and left her there to die. I spoke to her an hour before I flew out to San Francisco, and he was here.”

“You think he would do that?”

“Yes. I only left your mom because my business trip was an attempt to save us. I was trying to get a loan for half a million, but when the investor looked at the restaurant earnings and they knew I’d remortgaged, they turned me down. That was my last hope.” She sighs and sets her shoulders back. “Did you meet Cillian? The Irish guy.”

At the mention of Cillian’s name my stomach twists. “Yes. He told me the money needed to be paid by next week or he’d take the house and the restaurant.”

She nods. “Yeah. And he will because I don’t know what else we can do. There’s also the matter of your mom’s medical treatment.”

I think for a moment. Really think. I have to do something. I can’t just let this all happen. “I have fifteen grand. It’s a small drop, but it’s something. Maybe I could speak to him. Just to bargain for some more time to pay him.”

The shadow of doubt creeps into Roxanne’s eyes. “I don’t even know if you should speak to him.”

“He wants me to call if Harlan turns up.”

“Harlan’s not going to turn up so there’s no point putting yourself in danger like that. And not with a man like Cillian O’Ridian.”

“I’ve seen mafia men before?—”

“He’s the boss. As in the head of the Irish mafia.”

My blood turns to stone. “The head?”

“Yes. And if there were Russian guys with him, they were most likely Bratva men in positions of authority. Basically people you don’t fuck with.”

And so much worse than Nathan. But… this is about my mother and my family legacy. We’ve had the restaurant in our family for decades. The house, too.

“I have to try, Roxanne. I just have to. I’ve lived my life in fear for far too long. Now I have to do what it takes to help my family.”

“After what you’ve been through, I don’t want to put you in danger.”

“I know, but I have to try. I’ll ask him for more time to pay and then maybe I can get a business investment loan.” I looked it all up last night, trying to find out what types of loans I may be eligible for without a job or owning my own home.That kind of loan seemed to be my best bet.

“A business investment loan sounds like a good idea.”

“I don’t have any debt, so maybe that will be on my side.You just need to be able to show what business you’re investing in and have good credit for them to consider you.”

“I suppose it can’t hurt to try. And you know you have me. I won’t jump ship until I know there’s no hope. Granted, it looks that way now.”

“Thank you, Roxanne.”

“You know you don’t have to thank me. Your mother was like mine, too. She took care of me after my parents died. This is the least I can do.”

“I’m just glad to be back and you don’t hate me.”

“Never. Your mom will be happy to see you, too.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so. We just have to pray she wakes up.”

I pray for that even more.

Chapter Six

Cillian

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