n's

zing through the window of my penthouse

d with the voice of one of my lieutenants

d out, a man who had been a never-end

disappointment obvious in his tone. "It's more than a l

debts were a longstanding issue, the man apparently

I typically permitted, generally, wondering just out

of his reasons," I sai

gather. I need to pers

leeves of my custom-made suit. I realized the time had

lling into step behind me as I made my w

ited many such homes, the frantic abodes of men who had misjud

nassuming home, my brain meandered to the man's loved ones. I

et and forcing in their dim suits. We moved toward the front door and knocked, the sound repeati

red, venturing back

I wasn't exp

coolly. "We really need to t

ing as he motioned for me to sit. My lieutenant

t the cash you

hard, his eyes dash

e it, Arin. I assumed

snatched Jacob by the colla

or you, Jacob. I've given you

that would help Jacob to remember his si

d in simple silver, of a young lady wit

to myself. "Who is she?" I requested, r

fear and acknowledgmen

hter, Arabella. Tomorrow's

bella was delightful, her guiltlessness and liveliness obvi

t would tackle Jacob's debts and brin

considered, putting the ph

your debts." Jacob's ey

too young. This is her home, he

emeanor s

e here, Jacob. It's eithe

my final proposal hanging weighty in the air. J

hurt her. She's all I have le

ll live with me, and your debts will be sor

sions, no more excuses ." Jacob ges

.. take care of her."

"I w

his office, the arrangement fixed at t

ing about her that stirred a part of me me that I had long thought dead. I set out to guarantee she was

st struck. I had acquired more than a way to settle a debt; I had obtained another complicat

nce of the young lady, trying to ensure that her stay would be somewhat pleasant and would be safe i

fe, a reality far from the one she had anticipa