Chapter 2

Salvatore

I sat in my office, the soft glow of the desk lamp casting shadows across the room. As I looked over the night's take, I couldn't help but smirk. Business was booming, as usual. My casino ran as smooth as silk, money pouring in like a flood. But the real power? That came from my other venture, the one hidden behind the glitz and glam of the gambling tables. Tonight, though, my thoughts weren't on profits. They were on Ryan Sullivan.

I leaned back in my leather chair, my eyes fixed on the city skyline as the door to my office opened. Antonio, my right-hand man, stepped inside. "He's here, boss," he said, his voice low and respectful.

"Send him in," I replied, leaning back in my leather chair. I watched as Ryan walked in, looking like a man on the edge of a cliff, teetering dangerously close to the abyss. His wild, desperate eyes met mine, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction. The game was about to begin.

I took a minute studying the guy I've been framing for weeks. The first time I laid eyes on him, I was intrigued. He had this spark, this drive, but he wasn't some rich kid blowing daddy's money at a casino. No, he was different. A quick dig into his life showed he had someone else to worry about and barely a dime to his name. Guys like him? Perfect assets, if you knew how to play the cards right.

"Ryan," I greeted smoothly, gesturing to the chair opposite my desk. "Please, have a seat."

He hesitated for a moment before sitting down, his hands gripping the armrests tightly. "Mr. Salvatore, sir, how are you? I was hoping we could..."

I raised a hand, cutting him off. "Let's cut to the chase, shall we? We both know why you're here."

He swallowed hard, nodding. "I know. I'm working on getting the money together, I swear."

I leaned forward, my eyes locking onto his. "Working on it? Ryan, you owe me fifty thousand dollars. This isn't something you can just work on . It's a substantial amount, and from what I've heard, you're in no position to repay it."

He clenched his fists, a mix of fear and determination in his eyes. "I'll find a way to get the money. Just give me more time, please."

Uhhh, this was going to be fun. Toying with the poor guy was incredibly satisfying. "I need that money, and I need it now."

Ryan's face paled, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I—I don't have it. But I can pay you back…. I really just need more time."

Time. Everyone always wanted more time. "Time is something I don't have the luxury of granting, Ryan. You see, in my line of work, deadlines are crucial. Miss a deadline, and people start thinking they can take advantage of you. And I can't have that…. Can I?"

His desperation was almost palpable. "I... I understand, but—"

"But you don't have the money," I finished for him, my tone was icy. "That leaves us with two options. Either you start working for me, doing tasks that require... a particular set of skills, or I can use less friendly ways to get my money back…. One way or another."

At the sound of option A, his eyes widened with relief before a second, more logical thought, set up the alarm button on that handsome, blonde head. "What kind of tasks ?"

I leaned forward, my gaze never leaving his. "Nothing too complicated. Just a few deliveries, maybe a little persuasion here and there. Dangerous? Perhaps. Illegal? Most definitely. But very lucrative."

Ryan squirmed a bit in his seat, lost in thought and shaking his head at the edge of a panic attack. "I can't…. I can't go down that path. It'll destroy us." Fighting his own doubts, Ryan got up, trying to appear confident. "I'm sorry, Mr. Salvatore, but I'll find another way to pay you back."

A thin smile crept across my face, and I could feel the slightest hard on inside my pants. His fear, his insignificant pride, his morals… How cute and almost pitiful…. I admired the boy's defiance, even if it was foolish.

"Sit down, Ryan." I ordered him with a sharp glare before softening my voice. "Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. There is no easy option B." I leaned forward, closing the distance between us. "You owe me, and I always collect. Always . If you refuse, there will be consequences…. And believe me, Ryan, you don't want to know what those consequences are. You have 24 hours to think it over. After that, the offer is off the table."

He stood up abruptly, disguising his terror with anger, as he knocked the chair back. "I'll get your money, Salvatore. I'll find a plan B!"

As he stormed out of my office, I watched him go, a small smile playing on my lips. He had spirit. I had to give him that. But spirit wouldn't save him from the reality of his situation. He was in deep, and he had no idea just how dangerous the game he was playing really was.

Once Ryan was gone, Antonio stepped back into the room. "Do you think he'll take the offer?"

I shrugged, pouring myself a glass of whiskey. "He doesn't have a choice. He'll come around. They always do."

Antonio nodded, a satisfied look on his face. "And if he doesn't?"

I sipped my whiskey, savoring the burn as it went down. "That's what leverage is for."

The night was still young, and there was much to be done, including acquiring the leverage I had in mind. It wasn't my first rodeo with helpless debtors, of course, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this situation with Ryan was just the beginning of something much bigger. I had a knack for sensing these things, and my instincts rarely led me astray. I was secretly looking forward to my new, innocent pawn, and I predicted these twenty-four hours were going to be very long for all of us.

The clock was ticking, and I was a patient man. But not indefinitely.