Page 5 of Owed to the Billionaire

“Why are you doing this to me? What have I done?” I whispered.

Vincent smiled, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s not about you, Michael. It’s about your brother. He owes me a substantial amount of money, and he refuses to repay me.”

I felt a surge of anger and fear. “He’s not refusing…. We don’t have the money!”

Vincent’s smile widened. “Your brother made a foolish decision, and now he refuses to work with me on a solution. So, you, my dear, are the leverage I need to make sure he complies.”

My blood ran cold. “Leverage? What are you talking about?”

Vincent walked over to the window, looking out at the sprawling estate. “Ryan has twenty-four hours to decide whether he will do the work I need him to do, or your stay here will be permanent.”

“What kind of work is that?” I shook my head, knowing that Ryan would not decline an opportunity to see us both safe.

Vincent looked at me right in the eyes, calm as he could be. “The dangerous, illegal kind. The only kind that will get him to walk away from a debt like his.”

Tears stung my eyes as I realized the gravity of the situation. “Please, don’t do this. Ryan will find a way to pay you back, but don’t put him at risk, please….”

He turned to face me, his expression hardening. “This isn’t up for negotiation, Michael. I have nothing personal against either of you. Now get some rest.”

Vincent left the room as I sank onto the bed, burying my face in my hands. How had our lives come to this? And how was Ryan going to get us out of this mess?

The hours ticked by slowly, each one more agonizing than the last. I had no idea what was happening outside the confines of my luxurious prison, until the door opened again, and I looked up to see Ryan being shoved into the room by one of the men and followed by Vincent. He looked disheveled and desperate; his eyes filled with fear.

“Michael!” he exclaimed, rushing to my side. “Are you okay? Oh, my God, what have they done to you?” He tried examining me under the cover, his eyes wild and blood rushing to his face in a rage. “You’re… naked…”

Ryan turned to Vincent like a madman. “You sick, mother fucker…! Did you…. Did you- ? I’m gonna fucking kill you!”

“Stop, Ryan! I’m not hurt, alright? I’m okay…. Don’t make things worse for the both of us,” I begged, tears streaming down my face. “What are we gonna do?”

Ryan turned to face Vincent. “I’ll do it! I’ll do whatever you want, just let ‘im go, okay?”

Vincent’s smile was cold and triumphant. “I knew you’d see it my way. Now, as for your brother, he will stay here with me as leverage until you pay off your debt and that little outburst you had will cost him ten straps by my own hand. Every job I give you, you will complete. If you refuse, Michael will suffer the consequences.”

“Ten…. straps?” My brother laughed nervously; incredulity written all over his face. “What the fuck are you talking about? You wouldn’t do that!”

“Ryan, stop!” I yelled, believing every word the man said. “You don’t know what they are capable of doing…. What they already did!” This time I was the one with a touch of hysteria in my voice.

Ryan looked at me in agony as tears ran down my face. “What they did….? What did they do?” “Please, Ryan, no more.” I begged.

“I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t hurt him.” My brother got down to his knees, burying his face in his hands. “Please, Salvatore… Please don’t do anything to him.”

“Apart from the punishment you’ve earned him, your brother will be well taken care of, as long as you do exactly as I say.”

My heart was aching with the pain of seeing my brother like that and the fear of what was to come for the both of us.

Ryan’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and he looked at me with tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Michael. I never wanted this for you.”

I shook my head, my own tears falling freely. “It’s not your fault, Ryan. We’ll get through this together.”

As Vincent’s men led Ryan away, I felt a deep sense of dread settle over me. Our lives had been taken away from us, and there was no telling what the future held.

Chapter 5

Salvatore

Ryan stood before my desk, an attempt at defiance mixed with the weight of resignation in his eyes. I could see the toll this ordeal was taking on him, and I relished in it.

I have wanted this from the start. Talking Ryan into accepting a line of credit from my casino and watching him lose it had been entertaining and, surely, I was in for a thrill to see how far I could push my new toy to submit but discovering his brother…. Well, that had been an unexpected game changer. Not only was he the perfect pawn to keep Ryan in check, but also a much bigger incentive to me than the money.

---