Page 97 of The Protégé

“Why is he here?”

“My mom doesn’t know about the debt. I hope he’s not coming to collect. The news would devastate her. The payment isn’t due until next week.”

“How much do you owe him?”

“I don’t want to burden you.”

“You’re not.” He touched my chin.

“It’s a lot.”

“How much, Elena?” His jaw tightened. “You’re my girlfriend now and if someone is cheating you out of money, I need to know.” His eyes flickered. “Most loan sharks will slap on a heavy fine just because they can. That’s deception. That’s playing with someone’s vulnerability.”

“I have three hundred thousand dollars left,” I muttered. “But my dad only borrowed one hundred thousand on the initial contract. He was late on several payments, and the fees piled up.”

He scoffed, and ice formed in his eyes. “Sounds like a classic case of a ruthless loan shark.”

I sat in the seat, feeling ashamed that I couldn’t do anything about my situation. “I had a feeling he was ripping me off, butI didn’t have the funds to get a lawyer.” He squeezed my hand, and I looked at him. “What if he sent someone to hurt me or my mom? He’d do it.” My shoulders sagged. “I thought if I could pay off the debt, he’d leave me and my mom alone.”

“Getting a lawyer won’t help. These people need to be dealt with differently. You’re not doing this alone now. Let’s go.” He got out of the car.

“This ismyissue. I don’t want it to burden you.”

“Elena, part of being in a relationship is making sure the other person is safe and happy. I’m happy to take on your burden. Besides, I can’t stand people like your uncle.” He smiled. “It’s fun for me to toy with them.”

His comment about being a vigilante against the villains came to mind. Was this what he meant?

I tried my best to contain the nerves inside me. Uncle Carlos probably possessed an energy my body didn’t like. Grandma used to tell me to pay attention to my intuition and my body’s reaction to things. That they always told the truth.

The unease my body felt could be from all the negative energy Uncle Carlos had collected over the years from screwing other people. How many lives had he ruined?

I forgot to mention to Orion about my suspicion of Uncle Carlos and Sam regarding the life insurance scam.

Orion carried the hibiscus plant, and I held the box of pastries. I used my key to open the door. Kicking off my shoes, I placed them on the mat and didn’t see Uncle Carlos’s shoes. He had removed his shoes when my father was alive, but now he didn’t even bother. Orion placed his shoes next to mine.

“Mamá, we’re here,” I said, walking into the living room where Mom sat in her new massage chair.

Uncle Carlos turned to me and his gaze slid over to Orion, where it remained.

I prayed my mom didn’t know about the debt. She didn’t need the burden. I wanted her to have wonderful memories of my father. Not of a man who gambled and got into immense debt.

“Elena!” Mom pushed herself out of the massage chair, which seemed almost too large for her now that I could see her in it. She embraced me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“You must be Orion.” She studied him with curious brown eyes, holding back her friendliness. Mom was a friendly person, but after Liam had shoved me aside, she was careful of who deserved her affection.

“I am. It’s very nice to meet you.” He placed the plant on the floor. “I hope you like hibiscus.”

She walked to the plant and smiled. “I do. Thank you.” She turned to my uncle, who continued to study Orion. “This is Carlos, my brother-in-law. He’s here visiting. This is Elena’s boyfriend, Orion,” she told Uncle Carlos.

“Nice to meet you,” he said.

“Likewise,” Orion replied.

Uncle Carlos never visited us unless he wanted something.

“Mamá, Orion also got this for you.” I placed the box in her hand. “He insisted, even when I told him he didn’t have to.”

“Thank you. Let me get some plates for us. Have a seat. Make yourself at home. Would you like anything to drink?”

---