“And,” I continued, “you’ll continue hiring her. If anyone harms her again, Lorenzo’s head wound will seem like a bruise in comparison.”
Luca’s eyes narrowed. “If you dare-”
Sebastian interrupted him, “I’ll guarantee no one hurts Anya. If anyone lays a hand on her, I’ll carve their heart out.”
Luca’s lips tightened together, but he said nothing.
“Will you keep hiring Anya?” I asked Luca.
He nodded reluctantly.
“Fine, I’ll do it,” I said.
A smile returned to Luca’s lips before he spoke, “Then understand this: the second I leave this room your newdebt will be turned over to our offices. You will work for us, and if you decide to slack off, I’ll send myowndebt collectors after you.”
“Agreed,” I said, feeling like I was making a deal with the literal devil.
Chapter 48
Luca turned his attention to Sebastian. “And Selene’s debt can only be paid off when she works for the family. I won’t accept any money from you,” he said.
Luca’s expression was so jubilant. I definitely made a deal with the devil. One I couldn’t back out of now.
Sensing Sebastian’s tension I leaned towards his ear. “It’s fine. Please don’t fight him,” I whispered. Luca had me beaten, and I didn’t want him to shift his fury to Anya.
The entire situation wasless than ideal, butit stillseemed like a better outcome than what I’d expected when Matteostarteddragging me down to the basement.
Luca exchanged a look with Sebastian, and a wordless discussion seemed to pass between them. Again, I wondered what Sebastian had agreed to.
Sebastian turned back towards Luca.“Selene’s leaving now. You’ll pay her a full day’s wage,” he said.
“She didn’t even make it to dinner,” Luca replied, a lazy smirk on his lips.
“Luc,” Sebastian growled.
Luca rolled his eyes.“Fine. But she won’t get off soeasilyfor the rest of her debt repayment."
Sebastian grabbed my arm and tugged me towards the door. When we were in the hallway, he whispered into my ear, “Don’t say anything else until we get home.”
I somehow made it down the elevator without a gun being pointed at me. That feeling of success was overshadowed bythemen roughly pattingme down in the garage. Although it didn’t take long considering how little clothing I was wearing.
We set out into the night, and I sighed. Definitely a different outcome from last time I’d been there. No speeding outonto the FDRwith a gun pressed against Sebastian’s head this time. Also, I’d walked into the building attempting to decrease my debts, and I’d somehow added another debt to the mix. But at least, I’dbegun to fixmy mistake with Anya.
???
After the men in Sebastian’s sky garage had patted me down and we’d reentered Sebastian’s house, with a few smirks from the men, Sebastian broke the silence.
He had just taken off his shoes, and I was attempting to unbuckle a tricky strap on my high heels while not falling over.
“There’s something I want to show you,” Sebastian said, pulling out his phone.
I slipped off the stubborn shoe and straightened up.
“What is it?” I asked.
He showed me the dark screen, then hit play on the video.
Lorenzo’s eyes were out of focus, and his face was more bruises than tan skin.
