Sean’s voice was shaky as he spoke, desperation clear. “I’ll repay all my debt… I promise.”
Matt leaned back slightly. His steely gaze bored into Sean’s pathetic form, taking in the man’s bruised and battered state with cold indifference. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he considered the staggering debt this sniveling wretch owed him—four million dollars, racked up over five reckless years of gambling in the glittering dens of sin that lined the Vegas Strip.
The amount was astronomical, but it wasn’t the sum that infuriated Matt. It was the betrayal, the utter disrespect Sean had shown by conning Andy into securing that extra two-million-dollar loan from James under false pretenses. Matt knew the sordid details—how Sean had convinced the naïve Andy to pitch a business plan for some savvy tech app, playingon the young man’s talent and ambition. James, ever the opportunist, had seen the potential for exponential growth and loaned them two million dollars to kickstart the venture.
But instead of using that capital to build their fledgling company, Sean had done the unthinkable—he’d squandered every last cent in a desperate bid to gamble his way out of the four-million-dollar hole he’d dug for himself. A foolish, reckless move that had only compounded his debt and left Andy holding the bag.
Matt’s jaw clenched as he stared down at the crumpled figure before him. Sean’s whimpering pleas for mercy rang hollow in his ears. This pathetic excuse for a man had not only jeopardized Matt’s investment but had dragged an innocent like Andy into his sordid web of lies and deceit.
“Four million, Sean,” he said, his voice like ice. “That’s how much you owe me after five years of your gambling spree.”
Sean’s breath hitched, his body trembling. Matt reveled in the fear radiating off him. It was the least the man deserved after dragging Andy into this mess.
“You convinced Andy to pitch that tech app to James, didn’t you?” Matt continued, a hint of amusement creeping into his tone. “A savvy idea. Something that could have taken off.”
Sean’s swollen eyes blinked rapidly, confusion mixing with terror.
“James saw the potential,” Matt said, leaning back and crossing his legs.
Sean’s mouth opened, but no words came out. He knew where this was heading.
“Instead of using it to build the app and company, you thought you could gamble it away to pay off your debt to me,” Matt said, his voice hardening. “A brilliant plan—except it failed spectacularly.”
Sean’s head drooped lower, shame and fear evident in his posture.
Matt stood, towering over Sean like a dark specter. “Now here we are,” he said quietly. “You’ve dug yourself a grave so deep not even Andy can pull you out.”
The silence that followed was thick with tension. Matt watched as realization and hopelessness washed over Sean’s bruised face.
“But lucky for you, I’m feeling generous tonight,” he said, his voice dripping with cold amusement. “I’m willing to give you another shot at redeeming yourself.”
Sean’s head snapped up, hope flickering in his swollen eyes. “Y-yes, of course! I won’t let you down again, Mr. Caine. I swear it.”
A deep chuckle rumbled in Matt’s chest. “Don’t get too excited. You haven’t heard what you’re supposed to do yet.”
The flicker of hope in Sean’s eyes dimmed, replaced by trepidation. “W-what do you have in store for me?”
Matt’s gaze was as sharp as a dagger, pinning Sean in place. “Carlos is ruining business in this town, and I plan to destroy him.” His words were clipped, leaving no room for argument.
Sean swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously.
“There’s a cargo of drugs coming in from Mexico, and a deal is going down within the week,” Matt continued, his tone matter of fact. “You’re going to insert yourself into that deal.”
A heavy silence hung in the air as Sean processed the gravity of the task. Sweat beaded on his brow, his breathing shallow and rapid.
Finally, he gave a shaky nod. “I… I understand.”
“Good. My men will handle the details.” He turned to leave but paused at the door, casting one last glance at Sean. “Remember, failure is not an option.”
With that, Matt exited the room, Eddie and Rudd flanking him.
Matt leaned back in the plush leather seat of the car, the hum of the engine a steady backdrop to his thoughts. His mind drifted inevitably to Andy. The young man had an effect on him that was as puzzling as it was powerful. Andy’s defiance, his raw spirit, and that damnable pretty face had lodged themselves firmly in Matt’s consciousness.
“Eddie,” Matt called without turning his head.
“Yeah, boss?” Eddie’s voice cut through the quiet.
“Where’s Andy now?”
