nd other members of the underworld. A grandfather clock ticked loudly in the corner, seemingly intent on driving him insane. His massive, oak desk was covered in paperwork, guns, and stacks

it now?"

s voice confident. "We have the

, instantly interested. "Who is it?

father," the

a cold smile spreading across h

for far too long, thinking he could get away with not paying his debts. But now, it seemed, hi

"Boss, we can bring him here now, or we c

her own fear and uncertainty. But he was impatient today, and the thought of having her father here, under

, her defiant stare and sharp tongue echoing in his ears. He couldn't help but wonder what she would say when she found out her father had been ca

his mouth. The old man cowered before him, trembling with fear. "Ah, Mr. Oni," Dmitry purred. "It's been such a long time." He l

e. "I... I'm sorry, Mr. Kuznetsov. I've tried to pay you back, but I've had no luck. I've been

r making excuses?" he asked coldly. "I've given you e

ns. You can either find the money yourself, or..." He trailed off, letting the impl

g open in shock. "No, please!" he begged. "An

ur daughter," he gestured to a chair across from him, "w

eat, as one of the men, handed him

her?" the

twisted with anger and despair as he looked at the picture. "Yes, that's her,"

t," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But you see, your situation doesn't change the fact that you st

eek to come up with the full amount. If you don't, I'm afraid I'll ha

tears welling up in his eyes

f his men and asked "H

wes you about one hun

the seriousness of the situation," he said, his voice cold and unyielding. "I expect you to f

, Dmitry couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction. H

ed when a woman answered. "Yes, I'd like to speak with Abeni. Tell her it's about the debt her fa

me running into his arms, just as her father had before her. It was in their nature, he supposed. They were