Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,6
everything goes according to your... plans.”
I’d sensed several forceful methods of control occurring in the underbelly of the city, the network attempting to put an end to the upcoming land contract I’d fought very hard to win. I’d even received a few implied threats disguised as statements of concern from the very men who would do almost anything to watch the Masters empire crumble.
My gut told me that Bobby Rivers had been hired by one or all of the men within the network. What I didn’t know was the reason why Alessandra had been framed, making Bobby look like a victim. I also had no idea who’d murdered Mr. Toro, the evidence inconclusive. There were too many questions, including why the contract had been offered in the first place. While I didn’t like to go into any business transaction without all the information, for the woman so beautiful, I’d decided to take the risk.
“Hmm... I hope that is the case, Jefferson, because if any issues arise, there will be consequences. As far as Stephen Cantor, the attorney already appointed for Alessandra, it was explained to him how vital this contract is. I seriously doubt he’ll fuck it up given the wrath he would face.” I walked around my desk, easing my favorite fountain pen from the righthand drawer. Everything in my world had a particular place.
“You’ve certainly thought of everything,” Jefferson stated with an obvious hint of disdain. I was in no mood to start another argument.
Sighing, he remained quiet as I shifted through the papers, scanning the changes I’d requested. While the man was astute, he was right in that one mistake could prove to be costly. Mr. Rivers, his family, and the entire city wouldn’t take too kindly to the fact that Alessandra would be set free. What a shame.
Finally satisfied, I signed, handing the contract back to him as I lifted my head, making certain he was forced to gaze into my eyes. “Make certain every detail goes according to plan. I expect this transaction to go smoothly. I refuse to tolerate any level of incompetence.”
“Yes, sir. I have no doubt that everything will go without a single problem. I’ll let you know when your package arrives.”
“See that you do.”
He hesitated, his breath skipping.
“What is it?” I asked in passing, already dismissing the conversation.
“You won’t want to hear this, but your brother called.”
My reaction wasn’t as immediate as he would have expected nor was it as violent. While I longed for revenge, my success as well as the contents of my father’s will would do that without me lifting a hand. “Which one?”
“Liam.”
A cold chill trickled down my spine. As brothers, we were all entirely different variations of our father, although I was more brutal. However, Liam had taken after our mother. Caring. Honorable. Quiet. Passionate. Everything I wasn’t. He’d been the baby bird who never left my side, looking up to me instead of our father. Then everything had changed on one wretched night. Not one time had he attempted to contact me. Not by text or email, certainly not by phone or any other social media. There was only one reason he’d done so now.
Greed.
Fuck that.
“He’s actually called three times in an attempt to get your number. What would you like me to tell him?”
I took a deep breath, contemplating my answer. “Tell him that if he ever attempts to contact me again, he will regret it. With. His. Life.”
Jefferson sucked in his breath, a wave of shock and frustration shifting across the desk.
“Do as I say, Jefferson. Concentrate on my prize.”
“Why, certainly, Gabriel.”
After retrieving the contract, he backed several feet away before turning around. I could almost smell his fear even more so than normal. This was an entirely new situation, but one that had already allowed my sadistic hunger to breach the surface.
No one fucked with Gabriel Masters.
Alessandra Toro would pay a significant penance for her father’s incompetence in addition to the price of her freedom.
As of the close of business today, I would own her.
Every. Beautiful. Inch.
Chapter Three
Alessandra
This isn’t real. This can’t be real.
But as I was led to the stiff wooden chair, my handcuffs unlocked by the courtroom deputy, I couldn’t pretend I’d fallen into a nightmare that I’d awaken from any longer. My wrists ached from the cold, hard steel, my mind fractured from the course of events the last few weeks. The buzz in the stark room was just another reminder that I’d been locked away, labeled a wretched