Page 21 of Power of Shadow

George spreads the papers and reads.

“You should consider making haste. I’m not saying I don’t have all day. Although that’s true, it would be rude of me to say so. But the more time passes, the more painful it will be to fix that lovely nose,” Eli chimes in.

He shifts his attention to Mia. Winking at her, he smiles broadly, like a vulture spotting carrion in the middle of the desert. The initial aversion in her eyes fades, replaced by a glimmer of curiosity.

“Is this some kind of joke? There’s no way I’m signing this!”

“You will sign it.” My voice is low and warning.

“I won’t sign it!”

“You will...” Theo urges with mock amusement as his hand slides from the seat back and falls on George’s wife’s shoulder.

The woman jumps at the gesture and gazes pleadingly at her husband.

I would bet my life that the air temperature just dropped a few degrees.

“You want me to sell you a penthouse worth five million for two million?” George blurts out.

“And yet he has a problem understanding what he reads…” I pinch the bridge of my nose, suppressing my irritation. “I’m not going to buy anything from you. You had your chances, and you blew them. You knew who to borrow money from, but you don’t know who to pay back?”

Questions start flying when George looks from one woman to the other.

“What the fuck?” That’s from innocent Mia.

“Money? What money?” This question comes from his wife.

“What have you done now? God, Dad...”

“Shut up! All of you!” It’s too much. There’s a moment of complete silence, and only then I continue, “George. I want us to be clear. I’m not asking you to give me my money back. You’ve had plenty of time to do that.”

When George notices his wife’s hurt and disbelief, he lowers his head like a whipped dog.

Eli’s smile widens, and Theo chuckles. I’m not kidding. He chuckles! And this guy has smiled maybe twice in his entire life.

My friends are psychopaths. But I love these bastards and would give my life for them.

“I’ll pay you back every penny. I promise, Ryker. It’s just a temporary setback,” George whines.

I stare. “You told me the same thing last time the debt was due. And the time before that. And you know what? I have no fucking idea where you got the belief I’m such a patient man. You think I’m going to let you screw me over like this?”

The scared look in this asshole’s eyes meets my irritated gaze.

“I have absolutely no intention of screwing anyone over. I know you’re not joking.” His hands shake with fear.

“But this apartment is worth five million,” moans George’s wife.

“If someone wants to sell, not if someone has to give money back. You fucked up, George. Eli… take Mia upstairs.”

At my words, a delighted Eli takes a step closer to the girl, who looks him over with curiosity. I’ll be honest here, this isn’t the first or second time she’s done this on our visit.

Mia gets up. Her joyful eyes tell me this situation is a blessing, not a curse, and certainly more than she ever hoped for. Of course, none of us would rape her, but we let them make their own assumptions.

“All right, all right! I’ll sign anything you want. Leave my family out of this. Fuck!”

Finally, he signs both copies of the document.

“You’re heartless,” his wife comments with a sad look.