“And if Heaven is the place you’ll spend eternity, before you start asking God for mercy, make sure you explain the whole story. Don’t get up there lying and leave out the part where you used a vulnerable woman for sex. I’d hate for him to deny your appeal over missing paperwork.”
My eyes shifted toward the second man.
Before addressing him, I sized him up quietly. I took in his smaller frame, the thinning hair he so desperately tried to cover, and the thick glasses that were cracked down the middle.
Salvatore Vane.
“Stand up,” I ordered, my voice calm and collected.
“I… I can’t,” he rambled, his eyes darting to the ropes that bound him tightly to the chair.
I took a step closer, scrutinizing his terrified expression. “Right.”
Knox released a soft laugh behind me, clearly entertained by the unfolding drama.
I continued forward slowly, maintaining my focus on Salvatore’s quivering form.
“At no point during your little illegal science project did either of you think to consult the man whose bloodline you were playing with.”
Salvatore’s eyes widened as blood from his split lip dripped onto the front of his shirt.
“I had no idea it was your sperm!” he blurted. “I was paid to perform a service. I never ask who the clients are, why they’re doing it, or where the money comes from. That’s how this business operates.”
“Funny how morals, explanations, and company policy suddenly show up once fear enters the room. You didn’t ask questions because the money made you comfortable being professionally unethical. Don’t sit here pretending you’re innocent now just because you found out the sperm belonged to somebody dangerous.”
“I didn’t mean to create a problem,” he insisted.
“You helped create an entire child without the father’s knowledge. That ain’t a problem; that’s a lifetime commitment assembled in a back room. So, save that ‘I was only doing my job’ speech for God or the devil… whichever one accepts your appointment first.”
The full weight of his decisions finally appeared to settle over him. Unfortunately for Salvatore, realization had arrived several weeks too late.
“Licensed or not, once you start operating in the shadows for people willing to pay top dollar for secrecy, you need to learn how to ask better questions. Questions like, what kind of people can afford to move this quietly? Why are they paying extra to avoid records? And what type of consequences come attached to crossing them if something goes wrong? Discretion might keep your clients comfortable and your business running smoothly, but ignorance won’t keep yo’ ass alive.”
“Mr. Belvior, please!”
“No need to beg. You performed a service, and I believe in paying people what they’re owed.”
The hope that briefly flashed across his face almost made me laugh.
“Don’t look so relieved. I didn’t say I was paying you in money.”
His face fell.
“You charged a premium for discretion, violated my bloodline, and helped manufacture the biggest secret of my life.” I smiled faintly. “So, no worries, Doctor. I’m about to return the favor and make your disappearance just as confidential as your business. Consider it a professional courtesy.”
Salvatore sniffled.
“See, Dr. Vane.” I paused. “My bad. I meantDr. Wish.com Surgeon.”
Knox chuckled under his breath.
“The crazy part is, the issue ain’t even the pregnancy no more. Lowkey, I appreciate what you did.”
Both doctors looked confused by that.
I shrugged. “I got a child out the deal, so mission accomplished… I guess.”
Then my expression darkened.
