Page 18 of The Debt

Archer slammed his fist into center of the steering wheel, resulting in a dent and loud blaring of the horn while his foot also slammed the brakes. He gritted his teeth as the realization of Mira’s betrayal slammed him in the chest like a wrecking ball. Fortunately he was nearing home and the long driveway which led to his estate was free of traffic. Catching up on himself he pressed the gas and sped the rest of the way home.

* * *

Three shots of bourbon and he was ready to take on Vasco and confront the woman who had seeped into his bloodstream in as little as two days. How ridiculous that he’d begun to fall for her in such short time. He never believed in love at first sight. How foolish was he to fall for her charms. The little doe eyes, shy smile, sweet perfume, soft skin, sexy kisses... Could it all have been a lie?

Archer wasn’t used to drinking, therefore he was feeling the buzz of the alcohol long before the second shot hit his stomach. What he needed now was to speak directly with Mira before he counted it all a loss. He knew he was being silly into thinking that love could come this quickly. At the very least it was lust. But it had been so much more. Their connection was more than sexual and one couldn’t fake such passion.

By the time Archer was on his fifth drink, he’d worked up enough courage to dial Mira’s number again. He leaned back in his leather bound chair in his study and waited. The aged bourbon was one of three bottles his father had left behind. They were supposed to remain as a memorial to Archer Dunbar Snr. But as the bottle was nearing the end, having been almost half when Archer started, he wondered why his father or anyone else liked the drink so much. It didn’t numb the pain like he was led to believe.

When the line opened he was startled to hear Vasco’s voice. Archer glared at the phone with a frown, blinking and widening his eyes as though they had been out of focus.

“Mira,” he said, his voice slurring, it’s thickness quite noticeable.

Vasco’s voice wasn’t welcoming. “I told you to stay the fuck away from Mira.”

“I want to talk to Mira now!” Archer demanded, his voice raising several decibels.

“Are you drunk?”

“That is none of your concern Sir. I need to speak with my girlfriend if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t have time for this. Go to sleep Dunbar and stop calling.”

“I will not be silenced!”

Click. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“He hung up on me, again,” Archer grumbled under his breath. “That leviathan hung up the phone.”

He stared at the device a long time, contemplating whether to call back. Even through his drunken state, he knew that Vasco would answer again and that he wouldn’t get to speak with Mia. Archer set the phone down and picked up the Bourbon bottle splashing some into the lowball glass. Several shots later he was passed out on the sofa in his study.

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