Page 16 of Ruthless Heir

“I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to speak to you again.” Vito’s voice is smooth, but is filled with a precarious edge.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get to your calls. I’ve been working hard.” A half-truth mixed with a lie.

“Be that as it may, you’re late. Your last payment was made three months ago. You know I don’t like waiting.”

“I know. It’s just that with everything that happened with Nick?—”

“I want my money!” His voice sounds like thunder rumbling through the phone. It ripples through the line and shakes my soul.

I swallow hard, trying to control the tremor trembling through me. “I know, Vito, I’m sorry. I just... I don’t have it right now.”

“That’s not my problem. I’ve been veryunderstandingabout Nick.” His voice dips menacingly low, the tone cutting into my core. “But I have my limits. You’ve only paid back twenty thousand on the loan. You still owe me a hundred grand.”

“I’ll get it, I swear. I just need some more time.” Oh God. I’m in no position to make any promises.

“You have one month, but I want twenty g’s.”

“Twenty grand?” I almost choke. “I’m not going to be able to get twenty thousand dollars in a month. I was planning on paying the five thousand dollars in arrears.”

“Sweetheart, you’ve already broken the terms of our agreement with your late payments. And there’s a thing calledinterest.”

“But it’s twenty grand.” Tears sting the back of my eyes and I shudder from deep within my core.

“My dear Harper, you know the rules, so I hope for your sake you find a way. If you don’t pay things will get...unpleasant.”

Fear claws up the walls of my chest, making my insides feel raw. He means he’ll hurt me.

“Do you understand me?” he checks.

I nod quickly although he can’t see me. “Yes, I understand.”

“I’ll give you the courtesy and get the boys to check and call you every week to see if you’re on track. Speak soon.”

He hangs up before I can answer. I don’t even know what I’d say.

The air burning my lungs whooshes out and I grab the bottle of water on the side. I open it and take a gulp to soothe my throat but it doesn’t work.

I’m fucked. How in the ever-loving fuck am I supposed to find all that money in a month’s time?

The answer is: I can’t.

The only thing I have going for me is that Vito doesn’t know I left L.A.

I’m so stupid. Moving in with Asher is the very least of my problems.

As it stands now, I may have to run again.

Chapter Four

Asher

Hunter leans over the pool table and lines up his shot. Luc and I watch him closely.

Hunter’s a real pro at pool. Always has been. We’re good, too, but not like him when he’s on a winning streak.

Tonight's game is a fierce one and Hunter near enough always wins when we play pool at his house. I sense tonight will be no different.

We gathered here to let off some steam.

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