Page 71 of Chill

“Gerard, what do we have here?”

“Mr Locke, this is the ex-wife. The one who stole my money.”

“Meadow Hall. A name I’m rather familiar with,” Locke said, cocking his head and staring at me coldly.

“Look, I don’t know what this is, but Gerard and I aren’t married anymore. I’ve got three children at home who need me to return. Please, just let me go,” I begged.

Locke remained silent and didn’t make a move.

Gerard rushed forward and slapped me. “Shut up, you stupid cunt. I gave you a chance to give my fortune back. Instead, Meadow, remember you laughed and told me I’d signed everything over to you. That would never have happened. You lied, and you’re lying now. Those lies have caused this, and you’re going to pay for stealing my money. I don’t know how you stole it, and I don’t fucking care, but you will.”

Locke moved closer, looking completely out of place in his pristine, expensive suit. Whoever this man was, he was used to wielding power, and I instinctively knew Locke didn’t suffer fools gladly.

“What’s the plan here, Silver?” Locke asked, adjusting his shirt cuffs.

“Meadow’s going to sign everything back over to me—the money, houses, all of it. Then I can pay you the five million I owe. Do what you want with Meadow; I don’t care.”

“Please allow me to confirm: this is the woman you had children with?”

“Meadow never lived up to her potential; I married beneath myself. But once Meadow signs everything over, I’m sure you can find a purpose for her,” Gerrard said with a sneer.

“And what, precisely, should I do with her? Ms Hall’s too old to earn on her back; clients like young and tight, and she’s neither. Your ex doesn’t have any marketable skills that are usable in my line of work. She’s not worth much to me. It appears, Silver, you expect me to clean up your loose ends. Have you forgotten exactly who I am?”

Whoever Locke was, he outclassed Gerard. Locke was beyond dangerous. There was an aura about him that sent shivers through me. I realised my predicament. I’d seen this man’s face; he couldn’t afford to let me walk away. But I had to try; I’d finally got a life, and Gerard was trying to steal it.

“Please release me, and I’ll give you double what Gerard owes. But if you intend to kill me, then I’ll tell you now: I’ll never sign those documents. My boyfriend will come looking for me, and he will find out who you are.” Maybe it was a mistake to threaten Locke, but I was desperate.

“How intriguing. No one ever speaks to me like that. Where do you get the balls?”

“I’m not lying; my boyfriend is a member of the Unwanted Bastards MC,” I said desperately.

Locke moved closer, looking amused. “Should I fear this boyfriend?” Locke asked.

I honestly had no idea if Chill would come or take revenge if I were murdered today. But I was going to believe in what we’ve been building together. I trusted that when Chill told me he loved me, he meant it.

“Yes.”

Locke looked entertained and turned to Gerard. “You never mentioned what a comedian your wife was. She’s highly amusing. Ms Hall, please stop trying to pick up the rope around your waist. I’m aware you’ve freed your hands.”

“What?” Gerard exclaimed, rushing forward. He yanked my arms, and my hands landed in my lap. “You godamned bitch.” Gerard slapped me again and started to retie them.

“Leave her untied,” Locke ordered. His cold eyes stared at me, and something flicked through them before he turned to Gerard.

“To be clear, Gerard, you want Ms Hall to sign everything over to you. And you’re also giving me her on top of the five million you owe. That is correct, yes?”

“Indeed!” Gerard exclaimed.

“There is a slight problem with that.”

Gerard looked confused. “What is that?”

“I may have a soul as black as night; I might be the fuckin’ devil himself. The one crime I won’t touch is people trafficking. Your entire suggestion is offensive. Silver, you owe me the debt, not your ex. Did you believe kidnapping your ex-wife to pay your debt meant it was paid? You knew full well Ms Hall would need putting down, as she can identify me. Which means she has to vanish now. Clearly, you expect me to put a bullet in her or make her disappear for good. That puts me in a bad mood. The level of arrogance you are showing, Silver, is way beyond your sphere of influence.”

Gerard started shaking his head, and he held his hands out beseechingly. “Mr Locke, Felix! That isn’t what I meant. I honestly intended no disrespect.”

“I don’t believe you; you’re lying. My reputation precedes me, and you know no matter what, your wife will not be allowed to walk away. So, your five million has just become ten. And I expect it within the next hour.”

Gerard raked his hands through his hair as his expression turned wild. “I can’t get you ten million in sixty minutes!”