Page 110 of Dr. Damaged Protector

“I had a feeling that you wouldn't respond If you found out it was me,” he said. “I'm sure you don't remember, but you actually owe me some money.”

“But I thought…”

“All you did was return my gifts and pay half of what I spent on you,” he cut me off. “I heard from the guys that you took out loans and have paid all of them off, except for little old me.”

“If you're saying half, that means I owe you…”

“A little around ninety thousand dollars,” he reminded me, “and what's sad is that you actually blocked me on all socials, thinking I wouldn't notice. We meet again, and all of a sudden you're friendly.”

“If the money is what you need, I can pay you back. I just need a little time,” I tried to explain.

He wasn't lying. I still owed him a lot. I thought I had cleared everything, but I knew that I still owed some people, and he was one of them.

“I need that money within this week,” he demanded, shattering my hopes of attempting to pay him back.

“I can't do that within this week,” I said. “Just give me a few months and…”

“Or you could pay it off now,” he snarled as he looked at my purse.

Is he suggesting that I use Lucas's card?

“I can't use it,” I stammered.

“Understandable. It's another man's money. Even I would feel bad making you use it,” he said. “Maybe we can find a way to work things out without involving extra parties.”

“What do you need?”

“Just be calm,” he replied. “I've seen how your boyfriend acts. So, while we're trying to keep him out of the picture, I'm sure even he wouldn't like pictures of us doing the dirty together.”

“You said you deleted them,” I snapped and frowned.

“So? All men do is lie, haven't you heard?” he mocked and laughed. “Oh, she’s getting angry. Lord, I’ve missed that feisty look.”

“You filthy pig.” I spat out.

“That's my girl,” he said. “Have a great evening or a great day.”

I never thought I would find myself in a situation like Kate had experienced.

Chapter thirty-two

Meet the Hill Brothers

Olivia

I started mentally sorting through my contacts, wondering how I could find $90,000 before the week ran out. I thought about asking the friends, but it would be too much, especially when I had already returned most of the money.

Sounds stupid, I know, but just bear with me. What else? I couldn't ask Lucas. Come to think of it, I couldn’t ask anyone. Liam didn't sound like he didn’t want anybody around. Do I go into betting? I'd lose for sure. I should ask Lucas, but I don't want to bother him. The constant back-and-forth in my mind trying to figure out what to do didn’t stop.

I was worried. In the midst of my worry, the phone buzzed. It was a text notification.

I couldn't recognize the number, but it was an MMS. I opened it and read, “With love from Liam.” Attached to it, was an image of us kissing. The beads of sweat rolling my face didn't stop.

I could barely breathe. I took in a deep breath and started to recite the alphabet to calm down. I stared at the picture. It had been taken by someone else. We had gone for a special dinner, and he had asked to kiss me. I had obliged.

Nothing romantic, but I tried to make my kisses as real as possible. The business required us to be unique with clients. My way was offering realistic, intimate moments. Looking at the picture, one would mistake us to be lovers with how happy we both looked. I didn't expect him to keep the picture or have the other ones as well.

I decided to respond, “What are your demands, exactly?”

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