Debt Collector's Due

“He said you’d say that.”

I glance over at tony. The stocky, clean-shaven man with a round face and kind dark brown eyes has been around since I was a girl. “Tony. Don’t make me act ignorant on this plane.”

“Settle down. I’ll get you a phone.”

“Thank you.” I move back to my seat. I don’t want to take my anger out on the people who don’t deserve it. I’ll save it all for my father. No wonder he wanted to make amends. This was his goodbye. I shake my head. I’ve never run from trouble. Why would I now? How many times have we dealt with other families encroaching on what’s ours? Douglas’s don’t run. We stand and fight. Does he think I no longer have the stomach for it? Kier and I have a life back in Boston. I have a great paying job I enjoy, friends, and a nice apartment. Kier has close friends, after school activities and a slot in a prestigious private school. Now it’s all gone because my father decided to get paranoid? No.

He hands me the satellite phone.

“Daddy, what the fuck were you thinking?”

“I knew you’d be upset.”

“I have a job and a home. Kier has school, friends, and coaches who’ve been working with him since he was old enough to play. “

“You don’t understand the serious nature of what’s about to happen, Athena –

“Then explain it to me.”

“The Albano family and the Brizzi family have joined in an alliance. You know what that means.”

Her stomach dropped. He was literally surrounded by enemies now who’d joined their forces together.

“D- Did they say anything to you?”

“No, which is why I know what comes next. I’m no stranger to a takeover. I can fight them. I plan to, but in the end, they have the numbers. I have been on top a long time. People want to see me toppled.”

“Dad, why aren’t you on this plane with us then?” I ask.

“Because I’ll be damned if they run me out of my own town.”

“We should be with you.”

“No. you shouldn’t. Kier is a threat to them. A rightful heir to the throne. You understand? He could never be safe here.”

Nausea makes my stomach churn. I swallow down the bile. They’d kill him.

“Daddy.”

“I have a plan. I need you to trust me to execute it.”

“Am I ever going to see you again?”

“I won’t make a promise I can’t keep.”

A sob escapes my lips. “Daddy. I don’t want you to die. I’m sorry things have been fucked up between us. I was so angry at you for what you did.”

“I didn’t want this life for you. He would’ve put a target on your back. You didn’t choose a lackey you choose the man responsible for a lot of death and punishment. His enemies number in the thousands.”

“I’m your daughter. I was born with a target.”

“Maybe so, but he made it worse. I know it was the wrong thing to do. I knew it once you came up pregnant, but I couldn’t go back on my actions. It would make me look weak. I couldn’t afford it. In this life, you have to make tough calls. That was one of mine.”

I got it. I’d never be okay with it, but I could see his point of view.

“I hate this.”

“I do too.”