A Debt Repaid (The Debt Duet 2)

I lick my lips. “I only want Charlotte.”

“Why?” she asks. “What’s so special about her?”

I frown at her question. She’s never asked me that, and it’s telling that she’d need to.

“Everything.” I dig in my mind, seeing images of her right in front of me. “She’s beautiful … smart … sassy.”

“Many girls have those qualities,” Jill says.

“Not like this one,” I reply. “Not with her family reputation.”

“This is just to get back at her father, isn’t it?” she asks.

“It’s so much more than that,” I say, and I tilt my head lower. “But you wouldn’t understand. You weren’t there when my infatuation with her started, and that’s okay. But don’t question me on my choices, Jill.”

She nods a couple of times and looks away. “Yes, sir. I understand.” Turning around, she walks off, but before she exits, she grabs the doorframe, and says, “Is there something you need, sir? Anything?”

“No, I’m fine, Jill. Go help the others find Charlotte.” I pick up a cigar and light it, taking a drag before I add, “Do whatever’s necessary to find her.”

I keep taking drags, but not even a good cigar can take the edge off. I’m antsy; my body is riddled with energy it can’t release, and it makes me want to lash out. But there’s no point. There must be some other way I can rid myself of this fiery blaze roaring through my heart.

I open my laptop and enter the password, then immediately open the folder with all the videos of her. I can’t stop myself. I have to see her. Any way I can is good enough as long as I can get my Charlotte fix.

I know I’m greedy, selfish, and fucking disturbed, but I don’t care. I need her, and now that she’s gone, I only want her more.

But when I look through my files, the one from the night at the restaurant is missing. The one where she acted like a complete vixen, seducing me until I succumbed and played with her mind and body.

My eyes widen.

It’s gone. Vanished like it never even existed. It’s not even in the bin.

How? No one has access to this laptop … unless …

Charlotte stole the key.

My fist balls, and I toss my cigar into the ashtray and growl out loud. She did this.

Chapter 4

Charlotte

A sharp gust of wind startles me awake. The moment my eyes open, the memories of yesterday flood back in … and the fact that I’m homeless.

My body trembles. My dress is still wet and clinging to my skin. I probably fell asleep due to sheer exhaustion. However, for some reason, a knitted blanket covers me. It smells weird, but it’s cozy and soft … and all the things I don’t deserve.

Someone must’ve found me here last night and placed this over me after seeing my clothes. There’s even a note tucked between me and the blanket.

Thought you could use this more than me. – Jordy (the druggie from that house)

I grin. That’s sweet. He’s not as bad as I thought he was. Then again, I always judge people too soon. I should learn to be less apprehensive about people who live a different life. After all, you don’t know how a person is or what they’ve been through just by looking at them.

I gather the blanket around me and lie back down on the bench to close my eyes for a second and soak in the tiny bit of sunshine breaking through the clouds. I should prepare for the day so I can survive.

“Hey, heb je hulp nodig?”

When I open my eyes, I see a man standing near my feet. And not just any man … He’s dark and handsome with a buzz cut, a scruffy black beard, and round glasses on top of his chiseled nose. And not just his nose is chiseled; his jawline is intense too, and I can’t stop gaping at him without saying a single word.

“Gaat het goed?” he asks.

“Um …” I mumble. “I don’t speak—”

“English? Ahh …” The bright white smile that appears makes my heart do a double take. “Are you okay? Do you want me to call someone?”

I clear my throat and pull my blanket up. “I’m fine.” It’s a lie, and I’m sure he can tell, but I don’t wanna bother anyone. Besides, how do I know if I can trust him? Can I even trust anyone here? I don’t know this place or these people. Anyone could be out to get me.

The man narrows his eyes at me. “You don’t look fine.”

I pull my blanket up farther as he sits down beside me. “Don’t be afraid,” he says, tilting his head. “I don’t bite.”

Right then, he leans in and clacks his teeth together, making me jolt in my seat.

He laughs out loud. “Got ya.”

I blink a couple of times and give him an awkward smile. “You got me.”