Knox issues him with a ruthless grin. “You mean like Sergei?”
Bill’s dark skin pales at the mention of that name.
I have no idea who Sergei is, but if hearing his name can produce such an effect in Bill, I can only assume he must be someone more dangerous. Another man I shouldn’t know about.
“Who is that?” I ask, finding my voice.
“Sergei is the Russian mafia leader Bill works for.” Knox switches his gaze from Bill to me and the hardness in his eyes fades momentarily, revealing a glimpse of the compassionate side of him I’ve grown used to. “They were going to sell you on the human market as a sex slave then sell your organs when there was no more use for you.”
Sheer black fright races over my body and I turn back to Bill. Last night made it clear my debt would never be repaid but hearing this…
Jesus.What a fucking asshole. Bill was going to sell me. Sell me and my organs. My God. How evil can one person be?
But this is my fault again. My fault for getting mixed up with Hunter.
“You fucking bastard.” The words fly out of my mouth as if they have a life of their own. “I hope you rot in hell.”
“Oh, he will. Rest assured.” Knox’s voice takes on a sing-song edge. “Bill, I suggest you do as I say. Pay her the money, or you’re dead. You and I both know Hunter forged Megan’s signature. You personally oversee all contracts. So you would have known she didn’t sign anything because you were with Hunter when he set everything up.”
What a despicable man. I remember how I begged him not to involve me in this. I pleaded with him, telling him there had been a terrible mistake, but he wouldn’t listen. Of course not, because he saw me as a means to getting his repayment.
Bill’s gaze flicks to mine for a moment, but then he returns his focus to Knox, probably thinking it’s not wise to look away from him.
“Pay the fuck up. Now. Or this will be your last moment on earth.” Knox cocks the hammer on his gun.
“I’ll pay.” Bill nods quickly, his head bobbing like it’s attached to a bouncy spring.
Knox walks over to Bill as he starts tapping away at the keyboard of his computer.
Within two minutes, Bill announces he’s repaid me all the money he took and didn’t cash the check from yesterday.
“You forgot the interest.” Knox taps the end of his gun to Bill’s head.
I’m shocked enough as it is I’m getting my money back, but having interest as well makes me feel more redeemed.
“I think thirty percent interest sounds reasonable.” A low chuckle rumbles in Knox’s chest.
Bill clicks on the keyboard without argument, but the beads of sweat running down his horrid face shows his inner turmoil. “It’s done. She has her money with interest.”
Knox lowers his gun and dips his head. “Wonderful, now don’t you ever fuck with me and mine again. Do it and your dead. From this day onwards, you will forget you know Megan Porter. You will erase her name and details from your system and you will never see her again. Cross me, and I’ll shoot your dick off, then feed it to you before I kill your ass. Capisce?”
“Capisce.”
“Good.”
Knox returns to me, slips an arm around my trembling shoulders and shepherds me back to the car. The realization of my freedom hits as we get in and tears stream down my cheeks.
Knox brushes his finger over my cheeks and cups my face. The warmth and comfort of his touch moves me into his arms and tears flow from my eyes like a river that’s just broken through a dam.
“Thank you so much. You have no idea what I’ve been through and how scared I’ve been.”
Knox pulls away a little so he can stare at me. “You are more than welcome.”
“He was going to sell me, Knox.” I sound raspy, choked with my tears. “Me.”
He nods.
After what happened last night, I knew they would do their checks on me, but I never expected that type of shit to be unearthed. I was way in over my head and I didn’t even know. I feel so foolish to think I had a handle on things. God knows what other dirty shit Knox and the others must have found on Hunter. I could see on their faces there was more.