Chapter 6 - The Dangerous Debt
The blood drained completely from my face as I stared at the frozen image of the loan shark.
Detective Miller explained that Vanessa had a severe underground gambling addiction that our family knew nothing about.
She had borrowed heavily from a violent syndicate to cover her losses.
When they demanded payment, she promised them my house and my savings.
Miller released me from custody immediately, warning me that my life was in imminent danger.
He advised me to pack a bag and stay at a secure hotel until they could arrest the syndicate members.
I drove back to my house in a state of absolute terror, constantly checking my rearview mirror.
I just wanted to grab my passport, my dog, and a suitcase of clothes before disappearing for a few days.
When I pulled into my driveway, I saw Vanessa sitting on my front porch steps.
She was not wearing her expensive clothes or her usual arrogant smirk.
Her designer shirt was torn, her hair was a mess, and she had a massive purple bruise on her cheekbone.
I cautiously got out of my car, keeping my distance from her.
Vanessa fell to her knees on my lawn and began weeping with genuine, terrifying desperation.
She begged me to forgive her and asked me to let her inside.
She said the men she owed money to were hunting her and threatened to kill Mason if she didn't pay them by midnight.
I felt a surge of pity, but I knew I could not trust a single word she said.
I told her I was calling the police to get her into protective custody.
Before I could dial 911, the screech of tires echoed down my quiet suburban street.
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A matte black SUV violently hopped the curb and parked horizontally across my driveway, blocking my car.
Four massive men holding tactical weapons stepped out of the vehicle and stared directly at me.
