And that’s the only thing keeping me from doing something I won’t come back from.
Nik hums a low, unreadable sound. “Suit yourself. I find that enacting violence on bad people is a very therapeutic exercise.”
I have zero doubt that Nikolai Ivanov can kill a man with one punch if he feels like it.
And thank God he’s on my side, not the opposite.
“What happens now?” I ask. “They took Talia and Laddie before the deadline. Can they even do that?”
Nik lets out a long, irritated sigh on the other end. “They fucked up. Look… deals in our world are often gray. Fuzzy. Nothing written down—just a handshake, a word of agreement. But even with all that flexibility, thereareboundaries. And the Brownings crossed several.”
“Please fill me in.”
“Where things happen matters. Whose territory it is matters. Timing matters. And most of all, the people involved matter.”
He pauses, then continues, “The Brownings were jumpy about the deal we made, and jumpier about the money taking longer than planned. The real estate transfer was dragging, and they assumed you’d try to buy more time.
“Why the hell would I do that?” I ask, flabbergasted. “I just wanted to be done with all of this.”
“I’m aware,” Nik says dryly. “They, however, are paranoid idiots. They worried you’d run or renegotiate, so they grabbed Emma as leverage.”
My stomach twists. “And they got Talia instead.”
Nik grunts in agreement. “Yes. Which is its own problem. We’re not above using partners or spouses as bargaining pieces, but onlyafterwe confirm we have the right target. And one more thing…”
His voice drops, firm and cold. “And we all have an agreement about children. We donotinvolve children. Ever. Taking someone’s child? Putting a child in deliberate danger? That’s a dealbreaker in every family, Liam.”
“A dealbreaker?” I echo.
“Mmmhmm,” he hums.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I have Marcus O’Rear in my custody,” he says calmly. “I’ve spoken to the head of the Browning family. I’ll return Marcusmostlyintact. But the deal we struck with them is null and void.” A pause. “And that includes your debt.”
“I don’t think I understand,” I say, drawing out the words.
“The moment I return Marcus, you will officially be off their books. Your father’s debt will be cleared. The price was negated by their fuck-up with the boy.”
“Are you...sure?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I’m quiet as I process, and Nik says he’s got to finish a few things.
“Thank you, Nik. Am I in debt to you?”
“I had to hand over a significant amount of cash to the police tonight,” he says. “We’re still buying your father’s home, and I’ll take it out of your proceeds. We can call it even then. I hate the Brownings. It was exhilarating to fuck them up.”
I shake my head, reeling. “So I...I’m walking away with?—”
“Just over two-point-five million, yes,” he confirms. “It’s yours to keep at this point. Invest it well.”
I thank him again and hang up, completely shocked.
I am free of my father’s debt.
In a few days, I will be a millionaire.
