Still, it isn't enough.
"This is worthless," I say.
I toss the deed back at him. It slides off his chest and lands on the floor.
He blinks, stunned. "What? That company is worth fifty million dollars!"
"That company has debts," I say softly. "It owes the bank ten million. And the port authority, two million."
I lean in.
"You didn't just bet a company, Arthur. You bet a debt."
He loses what little color he has left in his face.
"So here is the problem," I continue, "You bet two million in chips. You paid me with a negative asset. Which means, by the rules of this table, you still owe me the buy-in."
Arthur starts to shake. "It’s all I have! Please! I have nothing left."
"Exactly," I say. " You are insolvent. And when a debtor cannot pay in cash, the House collects in… other ways."
I lean down, bracing my hands on the arms of his chair, trapping him. "To make this deed worth my time… to make sure I don't peel the skin off your bones right here in this chair… I require an asset that actually holds value. I need collateral."
"Collateral?" He looks up, tears running down his face. "I have nothing left, Konstantin. You took it all."
"You have a daughter," I say quietly.
He freezes. He can barely breathe.
"No. No, not Helena. Please. Take the house. Take my life. Don’t touch her."
"I’m not asking, Arthur." I straighten, turning my back on him. I walk to the window, looking out at the city lights.
"You see, I know this company is worthless in your hands," I say, speaking to his reflection in the glass. "You are a drunk who hasn't done any real work in years."
I turn to face him again.
"But your daughter? People say she’s the one keeping the company going. She’s the only thing of value you have."
"She’s innocent!" he screams. He tries to stand, but Lev pushes him back down.
"So was my sister!" I shout.
Arthur flinches, his expression sobering as he remembers everything.
"You traded my family to the Morettis for your selfish gain," I say, my voice shaking with anger. "You bought your life with their blood. Now, I’m buying my future with yours."
I nod to Lev. "Bring him. We’re going to pay Miss Helena Blackwood a visit."
Lev pulls Arthur to his feet. The old man is sobbing now, broken and defeated.
"She’ll hate you," Arthur hisses. "She’ll never bend."
I smile. It’s not a nice smile.
"I don't need her to bend, Arthur. I need her to break."
I keep my sleeves rolled up, so he can see the scars as I lift the deed from the floor and slip it in my pocket.
