He slams his hand on the desk, just as there is a knock on the door. I breathe a sigh of relief. ‘Come in.’
My secretary, Sheila, strolls in with some folders. ‘The files you wanted, Mr Neal.’
Rupert smiles warmly at her, and we wait until she’s gone.
‘No onedictates to me,’ he says quietly. ‘But you’ve done some good work for me. So, I’ll give you until the end of the month.Why don’t you come to the casino later? It will be nice if you pay off the boys in person, don’t you think?’ He pulls out a wad of notes from his pocket. ‘Don’t be a fool, take it. There’s three grand there. No strings attached.’
I take the money and I can see he’s waiting for a thank you.Jesus, he wants to humiliate me.
‘Thanks, Rupert. I appreciate your patience and generosity.’
‘Great. I look forward to getting my money back by the end of the month.’
As soon as the door has closed, I drop my head into my hands. How could I have allowed myself to get in such a mess? All to fucking impress Donald. The night I walked into that casino, I was uncertain. If only I’d trusted my instincts.
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Daniel
My eyes are locked on the phone, one hour to go before I meet Raven and hand over what I owe. I’ve already paid off Rupert’s guys, and in return, they slipped me something.
‘A token of trust,’ they said. A small bag of cocaine.
Rupert expects his money to be in the right account by the end of the month, and somehow, I have to make that happen.This is the last time, I tell myself.I’ll clean up. I’ll sort everything out.
But my hands won’t stop shaking as I place the chips on the chequered table. If I lose, I’m done. Worse, I would have put my family at risk. God knows what Rupert will do if that money doesn’t come through.
My long-ago conversation with Nic rattles in my head.
‘Who is he, anyway?’
‘Does it matter? Stay on his good side, and you’ll do well.’
And if I don’t?
I thought it then, and I’m thinking it again now. I’ve walked straight into a nightmare, and I don’t know how to get out.
My fingers hover over the chips. I can’t do it. I can’t risk it. I scoop them up and head for the cashier. Relief washes over me as the money slides back into my wallet. I’ve got the five grand for Raven.
I have the money because a miracle happened this morning. Jo’s salary went into the account just in time. It won’t cover the loan shark, but it gets me halfway there.
I check my phone. The screen’s dead. My battery has died.
I ask someone, ‘Excuse me, what’s the time?’
‘Nearly eight.’
Shit.
I bolt for the exit.
‘Sir, your coat…’ the doorman calls.
I don’t stop. I sprint to the car and tear through the streets to the bar. My heart hammers as I burst through the door.
‘There you are,’ Raven says, his voice low and dangerous. ‘I thought you’d forgotten our little meeting. I hope you didn’t lose my money in that casino.’ He leans in, his smile razor-sharp. ‘You see, Danny boy, I know everything.’
Three shaven-headed men stand behind him. I spin to leave, but another thug’s already blocking the door. I’m trapped.
