Page 54 of Bound in Debt
“Absolutely not,” I promise. “It’s not like that. This doesn’t have anything to do with the cops.”
Chase sighs in defeat and I try not to let the giddy rush of relief distract me. “I’ll text you ‘bring beer to the party’ when it’s all done.”
“Awesome, thank?—”
“And bring a lot of money.” He points at me as he begins to turn away. “This won’t be cheap. Not with the hours and resources I have to put in for this job.”
“I will,” I assure him as he makes his exit.
“What the actual hell, Victoria!” Ellie snaps the second Chase is out of earshot. “What’s going on?”
I shake my head and press a finger to my lips. I’m not about to risk another top-secret conversation in this hallway. So I grip her wrist and pull her with me to our dorm. She doesn’t know what she’s in for.
Once we’re back in our room, I’ll reveal everything. Share every detail of the shit show that is currently my life.
She’s going to hate it.
But I’m going to need Ellie to get on board with my plan, and fast, because I know that if I lose her I’m going to be well and truly lost myself.
18
DANTE
Wednesday, September 11 3:00 PM
“Dante, my friend, take a seat.” Angelo gestures me toward the seat across from him. We’re in a restaurant full of families and people eating. Somehow, I’m not surprised he conducts his business in a public place. His place from what I gathered from my research into the fucker. “I’m happy to see you.”
I bet he is.
He knows I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t plan to pay him or agree to work off my debt—and I’m here to tell him I’ll do both. Listening to Victoria’s conversation with her mother only complicated matters, and even now I’m not sure that we have the full picture about her trust’s requirements. But I’m out of time. If I hadn’t called this meeting myself, odds are I would have gotten a visit from one of Angelo’s men tonight. And I like my legs functional.
Pulling out a wooden chair, I take my seat across from him and a waitress immediately swoops in to offer me a drink.
“I take it traffic wasn’t too difficult?”
I glance at Angelo, imagine punching him in the head. He’s cocky as shit, confident that no one would dare challenge his power, especially not here.
Which means he’s comfortable.
“Not at all,” I respond flatly, folding my hands into my lap. I’m ready to get this shit over with.
“Well,” he pauses pointedly, lifting a brow, “I’m assuming you’ve come to tell me that either I can expect your nephew to deliver my money or else you’re planning to work off the debt as I suggested.”
“There’s been a change of plans,” I drawl. “I’ll be marrying Miss Waldorf.”
His brows crash together. “You?” He glances over to the man I assume is his second. I can see their mutual confusion before Angelo manages to put a lid on his emotions. His shock doesn’t surprise me. For one, Victoria is far younger than I am. And I’m part of the faculty at Thronewood—the same university where she is enrolled as a student and her parents are some of the top donors. Any romantic or sexual relationship between us would be unethical. At the least, it could get me fired. “The announcement I saw expressed congratulations were owed to Liam. Someone she could more easily…relate to.”
“Plans change.”
His dark eyes narrow. “How? I’ve been told multiple times by that insufferable wife of your brother’s that the wedding to Liam is imminent. Guests have been invited. All that’s left is for the girl to pick out a wedding dress and march down the aisle. The whole thing will be done by the end of the year. Why in the world would you want to take your nephew’s betrothed?—”
“Because I’m not so fucking stupid as to lean on a kid to pay back a mob,” I bite back, acting more affronted than I really am. I knew these questions were coming. “And to sweeten the deal while we wait for Victoria’s trust to be released, I’ll work a few jobs for you to pay down the balance. I’m sure you already have something in mind.”
Angelo eyes me suspiciously. “I don’t accept anything less than real loyalty.”
And you think I’ll give that to you? Angelo is far too full of himself. I’ll use his arrogance to take him down.
“What’s the difference to me whether you or Liam marry the girl?” He changes tacks, lifting a shoulder in a one-sided shrug. “I get paid either way.”
