Debt Collector's Due

“Why can’t you tell me where I’m headed?”

“You’ll understand once you arrive. Know you’ll be taken care of and have a chance for a life away from all of this. You never lacked heart or courage, but I knew you wanted something different. This is me trying to set things right.”

This might be the last time I talk to my father.

“When are they coming?”

“I don’t know.”

I clutch the phone in my hand, knowing I won’t stop until the battery is dead.

“I’ve always been proud of you, Athena. You were the best part of me. Smart, funny, and caring, you found your passions in life and pursued it regardless of who I was. I always admired that. I’m the man my father made me. You were always your own person. I think you inherited that from your mother. She had a core of steel and enough optimism for us both. She was my bright point of light. When I lost her, the darkness slowly started to consume me. You got what was left.”

“I love you baby girl.” The garbled words

“And I love you too, Daddy.”

The phone disconnects I close my eyes and hang my head. I’d learned more about my father in the last two hours than I had known my entire life. For the first time I ever I saw him, the man behind the persona and then he was ripped away. I cover my face and sob, purging. Kier is going to need me when he wakes up, but this time is mine to grieve.

***

Alfie

I read over the paperwork on my desk and rub my temples. It’s vague. A location of a landing strip outside of London where I should be tonight between eleven-thirty and midnight. In just six hours, Athena Douglas will be here on British soil. What will she say when she sees me? I’ve replayed every moment of our time together and run a thousand different scenarios in my head. She might give me face a good slap, hug me, or kiss me. I always thought of going

back, but I never followed through.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ifan asks.

I peer up grateful for the interruption.

“I have no other choice. I’d never let anything happen to her. Surely, you know that. Maybe this is my chance to set things right. All this time I’ve been wondering what if and now I have a chance to know.” I shake my head.

“You don’t think trouble will come and find us?”

“No, their reach won’t extend here. As long as she’s out of the states, she’ll be fine. I’d wager he's overprotective. If she steered clear of Massachusetts, they could care less about her whereabouts. Women don’t come back and take over. I don’t think this move is personal. It’s business.”

“You taking his word on that?” Ifan asked.

“No, mate. I put out feelers and asked around. They want to take their power back. It was a slight him climbing up the ranks and maintaining his hold. It was an embarrassment, having a young upstart come in, rise to power, and stay there. They’ve wanted to get back to the old days, build it back up strong. He was in the way of that.”

“And now he won’t be,” Ifan finished.

“Exactly.” I run my hand across my close-cropped hair and try not to think about the fact that I’ll be with Althea tonight. “I need you to man the lads. We’ve got one last collection to do today. I’m going to get the house ready for company. I got shit for food, no extra sheet or anything remotely appealing to a woman.”

“You’re really thinking she’s going to stay here? Knowing what you do?”

“It’s nothing compared to Porter. We got a legit business here, and I can keep her safe.”

“She might not be the woman you remember,” Ifan said.

“Do you think I don’t know that? I should’ve gone back for her. I have the power. So why didn’t I?”

“Because you knew it’d cause trouble for everyone involved,” Ifan said. Always believing the best of me. We’ve known each other since we were kids, and he’s never let me down. It’s why he’s the only person I’d go into business with. Here in the UK. The debt collecting

Or maybe it’s because I’m a coward. There weren’t many things I regretted, but this eats me up from the inside out.

“I can hold down the fort, brother. It’s just a small gig. The boys shouldn’t have any troubles.” I place my hand on his shoulder and squeeze. “Thank you.”