Page 45 of Hunter's Revenge

“Hello, can I help you?” she says with more insistency when I don’t answer straightaway. I really don’t want to have this conversation, but I’m a little thrown that I’ve made it through to what seems like a secretary. I’ve never had to call Conrad before, but I expected to hear someone who sounded like a hell beast on the other end of the line.

“Yes. Hello. My name is Gwen St. James. I’m calling to discuss a loan repayment.”

“Just a second. I’m bringing up your details on our system.”

That surprises me, too, and makes me curse Gage all over again. That fucking asshole put me in this damn position.

Fuck him for doing this to me. Fuck him.

“I’ve got your details,” the secretary says. “The records show you’re due to pay a hundred and seventy-five thousand this Friday. Are you calling to pay now?”

I almost laugh. I’m not sure how I don’t. The question sounds rhetorical to me because I’m sure few people pay that kind of money days in advance of the due date when they never had it before. She’d know from the system that I didn’t have the money when they first wanted it. I don’t have it all now.

“No, I’m not calling to pay now, unfortunately. I was unable to retrieve all the funds in such a short amount of time. I have forty grand. I wondered if I could pay that now and pay the balance in installments.”

I’m proud of myself for getting out the words without tripping over the other thoughts clashing in my mind. But the long pause I receive suggests my request is far from acceptable.

“I’m not sure Conrad will agree to that. Your partner, Gage, missed over five payments, breaching the contract.”

“I didn’t know about this loan.” The tears raining in my soul echo in my voice. “I didn’t take it out. Gage did.”

“The evidence we have on file suggests otherwise.” She might sound professional, but she’s as crooked as Conrad.

“Look, please just ask him if that arrangement can be made. At least I have some of the money.”

“Okay. I will pass on the message, and he’ll get back to you later.”

“Thank you.” I’ve barely uttered my thanks when she hangs up.

I stare at the phone in my hand for a few moments hoping like hell Conrad could grow a heart.

I spare a few seconds to message Dru to let her know I’ve contacted Conrad and am waiting for his decision. She messages back straightaway, telling me not to worry, but I know she’s only telling me that because there’s nothing more she can do.

There’s nothing more I can do, either.

I rest my head against the soft leather of the car seat and wait. I don’t want to go home yet with this angst lingering in the air, so I decide to wait right here for Conrad to get back to me.

When night falls and I don’t hear from him, I start up my engine and head home, feeling worse than I did when I left earlier.

My legs shake when I get out of my car and walk up the path to my door.

My mind is so wrapped up in my worries, I almost miss that the door is ajar.

As in, it’s… open. And not the way I left it.

The kitchen light is also on. It was daylight when I left, so I wouldn’t have turned that on.

Oh my God.

There’s someone in my house.

Someone is in my house.

I can’t go in. I mustn’t. That would be foolish.

I back away, getting ready to run back to my car, when I hear a little whimper.

It’s Sebastian. The whimper sounds again, and my stomach flips when it hits me, he sounds injured. I can’t leave him inside.

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