A Debt Repaid (The Debt Duet 2)

But no matter how hard I try to make him see me, he won’t even grant me a single glance. It’s as if he’s trying his best to ignore me and treat me like I’m less. Like how he used to before he professed his love.

Was it all a lie?

I release him from my grip and step back as he marches past me with Deion and Ashanti following. Deion glances at me over his shoulder, shrugging, while I’m left feeling as though I’m the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on.

Before they disappear from sight, I follow them into the mansion. I have to know what’s happening, and if Easton won’t tell me, I’ll find out for myself. Easton directs them to go into his study, but when I attempt to go in too, Nick stops me at the door while Easton closes it behind him and gives Nick the key.

“Let. Me. In,” I growl at Nick while Easton walks off into the dining room.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t do that.”

“On whose orders? Those are my friends, and I demand to see them,” I say.

“Mr. Van Buren told me explicitly that you are not to enter this room.”

I make a face. I know Nick is only following orders, but I really, really wish I could slap the shit out of him right now. “Why?”

He sighs. “I can’t answer that for you, ma’am.”

I get up in his face and throw in a grunt, but it doesn’t faze him. “I’m a Van Buren too. This is my domain too now.”

“Ma’am, I cannot deviate from my orders.”

Why would Easton keep me away from them when he let me see them only hours ago? It doesn’t make any sense.

“Grr …” They’ll regret doing this. I’ll make sure of it.

I stampede into the dining room where my father and Easton are drinking coffee and eating a cookie at opposite ends of the table. I stare at the both of them, wondering which one of them will talk, but both of them remain silent.

My gaze lands on Easton. “Explain to me why Deion and Ashanti and my father are here.”

His nostrils flare as he gazes at my father instead. “Davis, explain it to her.”

My father clears his throat as I set my eagle eyes on him. “You’ve been nothing but difficult ever since you came here, fleeing without a single thought when you know the deal we made is permanent.”

“You mean the deal you made that I had no part in. The deal where you exchanged me for something you did,” I snap.

“You know, Easton, you should be glad I was able to come all this way on such short notice,” my father says, completely ignoring me. “And that I was even in the country. I only have one establishment here.”

“He doesn’t care and neither do I. What are you doing here?” I bark.

He only smirks. Nothing more, nothing less. God, I hate that man. I dare say I hate him more than I ever hated Easton.

“Get the hell out of this house,” I growl.

“Charlotte. Sit. Down.” How dare he speak to me like that? This isn’t his home. My father’s stern eyes make me question everything I thought I knew about him … and Easton. Why doesn’t Easton intervene? Why doesn’t he stop my father and berate him?

“You hate my father, and now you invite him into our home?” I ask Easton.

“It’s a tough situation,” Easton says, “but your father is right.”

“About what?” I yell.

“Sit down, and we’ll explain,” Easton says, eyeing me as if to say “don’t try me.”

My lip twitches as I contemplate storming out, but that won’t help Deion and Ashanti. They’re stuck in that study for God knows what reason. Whatever the hell is going on, I have to fix this.

“You’ve acted like a stubborn brat. Ran away from his home. Endangered my life,” my father says.

“I don’t give a damn!” I retort.

He smacks the table with his fist, and I jolt in place from fright. “Enough! I’ve had it with your talking back. It’s time you learned your actions have consequences.”

“As if you have any say in this,” I quip. “This is Easton’s home. He’s accepted me back. None of this is your business.”

“It is when my life is on the line. As long as you continue to attempt to escape, I won’t ever be safe,” my father says, throwing a heavy look at Easton before continuing. “And I am not interested in chasing after your idiotic whims.”

“What are you talking about?” I shout.

“That man and that girl … you’ll keep going back to them,” my father says.

My eyes widen, but there’s no time to respond. As my lips part, Nick brings in two people … both of them with burlap hoods tied to their necks and with stuffed mouths so they can’t do anything but groan.