Chapter 4 - The Debt
Elias Vance looked completely bewildered.
“She saved your life, sir?” Elias asked, stepping back from Clara.
“We found your watch in her apartment. We assumed she had robbed you or sold you out to the Colombians.”
Victor Kaine walked slowly toward them, his limp pronounced but his presence entirely dominant.
“I left the watch on her counter intentionally,” Victor stated, his gaze fixed on Clara.
“It was a down payment.”
Clara frowned, rubbing her bruised neck.
“A down payment for what?” she demanded, anger finally overriding her fear.
Victor stopped a few feet away from her.
“For your exclusive services, Dr. Hayes.”
“I have a private medical staff at my disposal, but I cannot trust them.”
“There is a mole inside my organization who leaked my location to the Colombians last night.”
Victor looked at Elias, a subtle, terrifying warning flashing in his eyes.
“Whoever it is, they have access to my inner circle.”
“If I go to my own doctors, I will be poisoned before the week is out.”
Clara stared at the mafia boss, realizing the sheer magnitude of the nightmare she had just stumbled into.
“I told you last night, I am not a doctor anymore,” Clara said firmly.
“I don't want your watch, and I don't want any part of your gang war.”
Victor smiled, a small, dark expression that barely moved his lips.
“You don't have a choice, Clara.”
“The Colombians know someone in the Narrows treated me last night.”
“They are already tearing apart the clinics on the South Side.”
“When they find out it was you, they will kill you simply for putting a needle in my skin.”
Clara felt the color drain from her face.
He was right.
The Narrows was a small world. Word traveled fast, and the cartels didn't leave loose ends.
“I can protect you,” Victor offered quietly.
“Pack a bag.”
“You are coming to my estate.”
Clara looked at her shattered front door, her broken life, and the heavily armed men surrounding her.
She had lost her medical license, her reputation, and her future.
Now, she was losing her freedom.
“Fine,” Clara spat, pushing past Elias and walking into her ruined apartment.
She packed a small duffel bag with her few belongings and her trauma kit.
Ten minutes later, she climbed into the backseat of Victor Kaine’s armored town car.
Victor sat beside her, staring straight ahead as the convoy sped out of the Narrows.
They drove for an hour, leaving the city behind and entering the wealthy, gated suburbs of the North Shore.
The Kaine estate was a massive, sprawling fortress of stone and glass, surrounded by high walls and armed patrols.
They pulled up to the main entrance, and Victor was immediately ushered inside by his personal security detail.
Clara followed him into the grand foyer, feeling entirely out of place in her scuffed boots and canvas jacket.
Victor turned to Elias.
“Set Dr. Hayes up in the east wing guest suite.”
“She is to have unrestricted access to the medical wing and my personal quarters.”
Elias nodded stiffly, clearly displeased by Clara’s sudden elevation in status.
“Yes, sir.”
Before Clara could be led away, the heavy oak doors of the foyer burst open.
A beautiful woman with sharp features and expensive clothes rushed into the room.
It was Isabella Kaine, Victor’s younger sister.
Isabella threw her arms around Victor, crying dramatically.
“Victor! Thank God you are alive!” Isabella sobbed.
“We heard the Colombians ambushed the meeting!”
Victor stiffened, gently pushing his sister away.
“I am fine, Isabella.”
Clara watched the interaction carefully.
Something was wrong.
Isabella was wearing a strong, distinct perfume.
May you like
Clara recognized the scent immediately.
It was the exact same cedarwood cologne that had been clinging to Victor’s ruined coat the night he arrived at her apartment.
