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“I don’t know what to do. I thought maybe I should try going to talk to him. I could take the money and try and pay him again—I mean, Yefim did try pay it, but maybe if I went? It was my debt, after all.”
“Tia, I don’t think this is only to do with you anymore.”
I shake my head in confusion.
“No, this is all because of me. The entire reason Yefim is lying in bed so injured is because he was trying to keep me safe. He went there to sort out my debt, to protect me, and he got really hurt. I don’t want it to happen again. But I don’t know how to stop it.”
“Do you really think talking to this asshole will change anything?” Leon asks, sighing deeply.
“I have to try. Yefim tried for me—I have to try, too.”
“So, what do you want me to help you with?”
“I was hoping you’d come with me. You and your brothers seem to know the guy, I don’t know, and the mafia world—it’s kind of new to me, and I don’t want them to think I’m naive or easy to manipulate. I think it’s better if you come with me?”
He nods. "You definitely aren’t going alone, Tia. My brother would kill me if I let that happen. Besides, even if he wasn’t going to find out, I wouldn’t be comfortable with you going alone. You are family. We take care of our family."
His words touch my heart.
“If you set up a meeting with that asshole, Oleg and I will go with you. The more the merrier, I reckon. Seeing as they’ve already showed us that they don’t like to play fair.”
“Thank you so much, Leon. I really appreciate this.”
***
The next evening, Leon and Oleg come to fetch me. I’ve arranged to meet up with the debt collector. I’m nervous, but I won’t let it show. I know with these people the moment you show weakness, they snatch at it, turn it against you.
I run my hands over my black jeans as we drive towards the destination. My palms feel sweaty. There is a duffel bag of cash on the seat next to me. I did tell the guy that I wanted to come and talk to him and settle what was due. He agreed. So that must mean he’ll be willing to take the money.
Leon parks on the curbside near a bar in more neutral territory. He didn’t want to go back into the same bar Yefim got attacked in.
I told him to come alone. He thinks I’m coming alone as well. Oleg and Leon will have to stay out of sight if I want this to go well.
Outside the bar, Leon turns in his seat to talk to me.
“Here, take this. Tuck it under your jacket.” He hands me a small gun. It fits in my hand comfortably, but holding it doesn’t make me feel comfortable.
“Do I really need this?” I say, staring down it and starting to feel ill.
“Hopefully not, Tia. But better to have it and not need it. Listen, Oleg and I are right outside. You are going to call me and leave it on speaker—keep your phone in your pocket. If you need us, scream. We’ll be there in fifteen seconds. We’re here, listening to everything. You’ll be safe, I promise.”
I nod. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I dial Leon’s number. He answers the call, putting his phone on speaker as well. “There, now we can hear in. My side is on mute, so they won’t hear anything coming from your pocket.”
I tuck the small gun into my waistband, pulling my jacket over it to hide it away.
“What if they feel the gun on me?”
“Everyone carries a gun. I assure you that debt collector has his on him.”
Well, there is no point in dragging this out anymore. I push the door open and climb out of the back seat of the car, pulling the duffel bag across the seat and slinging it over my shoulder. It’s a lot of money—to feel the weight of what I owe in one bag, it’s a lot.
I glance back at the car just before I step inside. The windows are so tinted I can’t even see their outlines. But at least I know they’re there.
Pushing the bar door open, I walk inside, spotting the asshole at the counter drinking a beer. I tilt my head up, push my shoulders back and walk confidently towards him.
“Where’s your boyfriend?” he sneers down at me with a smirk on his face.
“I came to talk to you, never mind about anyone else,” I say sternly.
