Page 10 of Enslaved

Luckily, a person Heath recognized to be private security headed his way before he made it too deep into the place.

Heath nodded at the man. In a matter of minutes, Heath sat across from the man who helped run Atlantic City. He might’ve been terrified if he didn’t know Saul so well. He had eyes so light, they cut through a person and a slight accent that intrigued people.

“Your message was pretty cryptic this morning. Is everything okay?”

Heath appreciated the genuine concern in Saul’s voice. “Yes and no, I suppose. I’m perfectly fine. My friend, on the other hand, is not. You have a problem in Drue Langley. You need to stop his line of credit.”

Saul’s eyebrows rose. “Why is that? He’s always paid his debts.”

“No. He hasn’t.” Heath didn’t hold back. “He’s been shaking down his son for the money.”

Saul sat back and sighed. “Honestly, I’d begun to worry. His losses have been suspiciously more than his salary should cover.”

Heath nodded. “For Court’s sake, I’ll cover the seventy-five thousand he owes now, but from here on out, he doesn’t have it.”

Saul looked slightly confused. “He doesn’t owe seventy-five. He only owes twenty.”

Heath was every bit as confused. “Odd. When he tried kicking in his son’s door yesterday, he screamed about seventy-five. Maybe he owes more than one casino?”

Saul shook his head. “Not possible. We all keep check. Only one high limit debt at a time. If you owe one, you won’t be extended credit anywhere else.” Saul paused. He looked as if he wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue. Finally, he sighed and held Heath’s stare. “There’s a very real possibility it’s not this addiction he can’t pay.”

Heath wanted to say he was surprised, but he wasn’t. “Damn. When I saw the way he had destroyed Court’s front porch and the insanity he showed, I thought that might be the case. Coke, I assume.”

Saul dipped his chin. “Mac caught him snorting in the bathroom. He was thoroughly scared away from using my club for that bullshit.”

Heath wouldn’t touch that one. The huge guard, Mac, likely held the guy by his feet over a balcony. At least, that was what Heath pictured. “Do you know who his dealer is?”

“No. There’s not many people it could be among the community, but it’s not like you can go around asking.”

Heath sighed. “Well, fuck. All I can do is cover his debt here and hope the other fifty-five was him wanting funds.”

“May I ask why you’re willing to do this? It’s not like I don’t have other ways to get the money from him.”

A chill ran down Heath’s spine. He didn’t doubt Saul. “I’m not doing it for him.”

For a moment, Saul studied him. His expression gave nothing away, but when he spoke, he sounded deadly. “Let me guess, he’s the reason Court is selling himself.”

Everything inside Heath revolted at the question. Court wasn’t a whore. Logically, Heath knew people thought that because Court literally sold his time. But there was a part of Heath that felt like it was his fault. He had set Court on this path. Heath didn’t like this feeling. Still, he knew what Saul meant. “I believe so, yes. Even though I don’t know exactly how long Court has been bailing him out, I know he’s done.” Heath felt his face harden and his tone matched the change. “And Drue is a huge piece of shit who doesn’t deserve the amazing son he’s been given. I’ll be damned if he continues to drag him down.”

Saul’s gaze moved over Heath’s face. He nodded. “Court is lucky to have you.”

A bark of laughter burst from Heath. “I promise he’d disagree.”

A smile exploded across Saul’s face. “We’ll see.”

It was scary how badly Heath hoped Saul was right. Heath wasn’t looking for anything. He didn’t expect his time with Court to go anywhere. But strangely, his morning with Court was the happiest he had been in a really long time. For that alone, he would spare Drue. Now he had to get back to Court.

Unfortunately, Heath didn’t make it back to his car unmolested. Portland appeared from nowhere and blocked his path. A groan rang through Heath’s head, but he kept his expression and tone bland. “Portland.”

The guy’s let’s-do-business smile made an appearance. “Heath. I hear you’ve made a recent acquisition.”

Heath swallowed his annoyance over everyone speaking about Court like he was an item at the store. “I need you to be more specific.” He knew he was being a dick. Heath didn’t care. Portland was just a little too shiny for him.

The congenial smile turned sharklike. “Court Langley.”

“I know of him, yes.”

Portland straightened his sleeves. “Perfect. I’d like to purchase his contract.” Heath knew this game. His sudden focus on the press of his suit was meant to look as if the topic meant nothing to him.

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