Chapter 3 - The Debt of Blood
Chloe disobeyed his direct order exactly ten seconds after he walked inside.
She could not sit safely in the armored car while her little brother was in danger.
She slipped quietly out of the vehicle and crept toward the shattered front entrance.
Inside, the pawn shop smelled heavily of stale cigarette smoke and cheap whiskey.
Victor was standing perfectly still in the center of the dimly lit room.
Across from him stood a tall, sharply dressed man with a cruel, mocking smile.
Dante Moretti had one hand resting casually on the shoulder of a terrified, trembling Tommy.
"Well, look who finally decided to visit my side of town," Dante sneered.
"Let the boy go, Dante, this has absolutely nothing to do with him," Victor said calmly.
"He came to me asking for a high-interest loan to pay his medical bills," Dante countered smoothly.
"I am paying his debt right now, in cash," Victor offered without hesitation.
"I don't want your money, Russo, I want to know why this street rat matters to you," Dante laughed.
Chloe could not hold herself back any longer and rushed directly into the room.
"Tommy, get away from him!" she screamed, running toward her brother.
Dante's eyes narrowed dangerously as he looked from Chloe to Victor.
"Ah, the pretty little maid from your estate," Dante mused, a sick realization dawning on his face.
Victor stepped immediately in front of Chloe, shielding her entirely with his large body.
"Name your price, Dante, and I will pay it," Victor demanded, his voice turning deadly.
Dante smiled entirely without warmth and pushed Tommy roughly toward them.
"Keep the kid, but know that you now owe me a personal favor," Dante threatened quietly.
Victor grabbed Tommy by the collar and dragged both siblings swiftly out the door.
He shoved them into the back of the SUV and sped away from the dangerous neighborhood.
Tommy was sobbing quietly, deeply ashamed of his foolish, desperate mistake.
"I was just trying to help pay the hospital bill," the boy cried softly.
"You will never speak to that man again, do you understand me?" Victor ordered harshly.
Chloe wrapped her arms protectively around her little brother, still shaking from the encounter.
They arrived back at the sprawling estate just as the winter sun began to rise.
Victor escorted them directly to a luxurious guest suite on the second floor.
"You will both live here permanently, under my direct protection," Victor stated firmly.
Chloe walked into the massive bedroom and pulled back the expensive silk sheets.
May you like
She gasped in pure horror and stumbled backward into Victor's solid chest.
Resting perfectly in the center of her pillow was a single, freshly cut black rose.
