“I’m aware.” Salisbury’s words put me at ease. “Lars hasn’t been seen around the area before today. Now I could’ve released Lars, but Benny had offered him for the debt.”
Angrily, I went to speak. The fuck I was paying the ten thousand.
“A debt that didn’t rightfully belong to Lars. If I were his father, I’d want to beat the shit out of the person who set my child up,” Salisbury continued.
“I’d also want someone to scare the hell out of him and ensure he keeps on the straight and narrow,” I said, my mind turning evil. Lars was a good kid, but he’d been in a rough part of town. Jody would have been devastated if something awful had happened to him.
???
Lars
The door to the room opened, and Salisbury entered, carrying a chair. He set it down and sat, staring.
“How old are you?”
“Why’s that important?”
Salisbury leaned forward. “You get one pass. Lars, I can’t abide rudeness. Next time you’re rude, I shall respond accordingly. Now we’ll try this again. Your age.”
“Sixteen and a half,” I responded begrudgingly.
“Old enough.” Salisbury fell quiet.
After a few awkward moments, I squirmed. “For what?”
“Whatever the hell I want. See, I’m owed ten thousand dollars. Benny told me you took the drugs and refused to pay.”
“But I didn’t take them! I don’t do drugs!” I shouted.
Salisbury got to his feet and walked towards me. Fear raced through me as I cringed away. His hand swept out and slapped me. “Remember what I said about rudeness?”
I nodded as I blinked back tears. “Sorry.”
Salisbury returned to the chair. “As I was saying. I’m owed ten k. Whether or not you owe it, you’re a gift horse I’d be afool to overlook. Obviously, I can contact your sperm donor, as you quaintly called Magic. But I can’t be sure he’ll pay. In fact, if Magic feels the same as you, I can guarantee he won’t. Which means I’ve got you and a drug addict. The junkie won’t give me my money. But you… now, you offer possibilities.”
Salisbury smiled coldly.
“Min Morwill pay,” I begged.
“But I can make a lot more than ten thou on you. Lars, there’s the underground fighting circuit, send you to the whorehouse or put you up for sale. Looking at your build, the fighting ring is a strong possibility,” Salisbury said as my blood ran cold.
“Salisbury, you can’t! I’m only sixteen,” I exclaimed. Did this man own a good side?
“And? That means you’re younger, fitter, and stronger than some of those washed-up fucks who fight. After a few beatdowns, you’ll soon learn to fight. Your sperm donor was a fighter, did you know that? Magic was legendary before he quit for your mom. You’ve got Magic’s genes, I reckon we can bulk you up.”
“No, I won’t fight,” I promised, shaking.
“No? Then you’ll die.” Salisbury looked me over. “Then again, you’re pretty, strong, and women will adore you. Those fifty-year-old cougars who need young blood will go fuckin’ nuts over you. I can make an easy hundred k on your virginity alone. Those rich sixty-year-olds who can’t get a stud anymore, yeah, they’ll love you.”
Scared, I pressed back into the corner.Bide your time, Dad whispered in my head.
Salisbury stood up and stared. “Today, you messed up, Lars. Those are three of theeasieroptions. It’s a good job yoursperm-donoris who he is.”
The door opened, and Magic filled it. I let out a sob and scrambled to my feet. Fuck, now showing weakness. I racedacross the floor and flung myself at him. Magic’s hand curled around my head.
“Whatever you want, I’ll do. I promise,” I babbled.
“Then stay out of the rough part of town. You’re lucky my name carries weight.” Magic squeezed me before releasing me. “We done?” he asked Salisbury.
