The billionaires pawn

i's P

ed Giovanni Santino, who sat back in my father's chair, looking

"But that patience won't last. Your father owes m

ing a nearly empty glass of whiskey. Twenty million-how were we going t

la, who trembled behind me. "We just need

ssed, and signaled his intimidatin

t racing. "She's got no

ly, her fear mingling with

Santino said as if he were discussing lunch

knees. "Please

ed unbearably. Then, Santino

d. "Fail, and there wo

Santino and his men left. The door click

inking and drowning in guilt. Kayla hid in her room, too afraid

. To clear our heads. We can talk to one of Dad's friends-Mr. Williams.

so much trouble. But Kayla insisted, saying my dad's friend might give us a loa

cked a more straightforward outfit. I was still worried a

lthy people I used to know. I felt out of

by the bar, sipping a drink I didn't taste, while Kayla talked to

it-someone

, with a confidence that made everyone else fade into the background. H

rted walkin

His deep and smooth voice

g nervous. I was here to get help from a family f

ed on my waist, pulling me closer as the music changed to a slow,

. I wasn't sure how to reply. Something about him made me uneasy, but I couldn't ignore t

r his intense gaze. There was something about hi

moment, my phone buzzed in my purse.

safe. Please

from

ling away from the stranger. He looked confused, bu

ened, just for a sec

n't a

xious as I rushed outside. The cool ni

my voice tight an

he side of the house, my heart r

ied to scream, but someone covered my mouth. My visio

emed like some

nd out of consciousness, but I

r door followed by the scree

of the plan," o

" another re

gripp

re they

had just dec