Page 7 of Enslaved

Drue’s dark blue eyes that looked so much like his son’s moved between Court and Heath and back again. He looked more calculating by the second. “You weren’t home, so I wasn’tbreaking the terms of the order. You’re the one who showed up and is breaking it.”

“You’re at my house.” The exasperation in Court’s voice made Heath wonder how often this happened. “So, what? You just came to break in while I wasn’t home?”

Drue shifted from foot to foot. “I didn’t break in. The key is missing.”

“You’re the reason it’s missing, Dad. I have nothing left to give you. Now leave before I call the cops. Mom shouldn’t have to keep bailing you out.”

Anger flashed in Drue’s eyes. It was beyond obvious the pair had forgotten Heath stood there. “I’m your father. You wouldn’t have anything without me.” He jabbed himself in the chest. “I’m the one who worked his fingers to the bone so your spoiled ass could have the best of everything and look what it got me. Nothing but an ungrateful son who won’t see his father.”

“How much do you owe?” Court’s voice sounded dead.

“It’s not about that, Court.”

“How much do you owe?” Court repeated.

Drue swallowed. “Seventy-five thousand.”

“Sev—” Court paced away and ran his fingers through his hair, looking ready to tear it out by the roots. He turned back. “How did you even get that deep when you know you don’t have it?”

Drue’s hands rose and fell. “Saul knows I’m good for it.”

“Saul… You’re…” Court looked so enraged, almost like he didn’t know where to start. “You’re not good for shit!” He yelled the words at the top of his lungs. “You got in deep because you knew you could come crawling here. Well, you know what? Not this time.”

Drue went from stoic to pleading in an instant. “We’re talking about Saul Gabris. I can’t go back empty-handed to the goddamn mob. He’ll kill me.”

“Good.” The spite in Court’s voice nearly had Heath taking a step back.

“You don’t mean that. No matter what, I’m still your dad.”

Court sliced his hand through the air, as if he had heard enough. He dug his phone from his pocket. “You stopped being my dad when you chose your addiction over your family. I’m calling the police now. I seriously doubt Saul will kill you, since you have zero qualms about losing all my money in his casino. But maybe if he breaks your goddamn kneecaps, you’ll learn your lesson, because I am fucking done.”

The pleading turned to fury. The switch flipped so fast, Heath didn’t see it coming. It seemed Court fully expected the attack.

“You ungrateful little bastard.” Drue leapt from the porch steps, obviously prepared to jump Court, swinging.

Like he saw it coming before it happened, Court’s fist shot out, landing in the center of Drue’s face. Drue immediately hit the ground. Court stepped over him and headed for the door. Heath followed. He didn’t know the full extent of what was happening, but he knew he couldn’t leave Court alone.

Chapter Four

Court held his phonein a death grip as he watched his dad from the window. He silently debated if he would actually call the police. It had taken him way too many years to find the strength to get a restraining order. He didn’t know if he could keep taking things further. Court didn’t want to lose his family, but seventy-five thousand? He couldn’t even fathom losing that big.

“So your dad is a gambling addict?”

Court closed his eyes and wished for a meteor to take him out. The last thing he wanted was for Heath fucking Overton to play witness to his drama. “Yes.”

“And you work as an escort to pay his debts.”

It was obvious Heath simply tried to get a feel of the situation, but Court hated this. “In part, yes.”

“Why does Saul continue to extend him lines of credit if he can’t pay?”

Court waited until his father’s car disappeared down the street before turning to face Heath. “Because his debts always get paid.”

“By you?”

Court nodded.

Heath looked sympathetic. Court hated that, but Heath stayed. “Saul is a friend of mine. I’ll quietly suggest he cut him off.”

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