Debt Collector's Due by Shyla Colt

Author:Shyla Colt [Colt, Shyla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inspired Ink
Published: 2019-08-05T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Athena

It’s been a few days now, and I’m no closer to reconciling my emotions or figuring out what we’re going to do. Jet lag has made me its bitch, and the enormity of my situation is staggering. There’s been no news on my father as we continue to treat this trip as an impromptu vacation with a friend of mommy’s. Alfie’s changed. His accent is thicker, and he’s twice the size he once was. The crow’s feet are deeper around his eyes, but the laugh lines have faded. Despite all the power he’s amassed, he appears to have remained stoic.

Even more closed off, he’s harsher than before, which I didn’t think was possible. Then again, as a debt collector, you have to rule your workers with an iron fist and show no mercy or wavering in the field. It's eye-opening, watching him screen calls, deal with employees, and leave to work. He spent the first day home, taking us to the local shop and allowing Kier to pick the décor for his room. My little boy is growing up, gone are the days of Bob the Builder and Thomas the train. His navy themed room looks like it belongs to a tween. Ugh, I’m not ready for that age. He’s worked the last two days, but he’s due home any moment to take us sight-seeing.

I glance over at my son. Engrossed in his X-box Game, he’s completely oblivious to the truth. I envy him. Sleep is fleeting, and the phone calls I’ve yet to return has led to a buildup of messages in my voicemail. I don’t have my story straight, so a conversation with anyone is impossible. There’s also a chance that I could be tracked through them. Reassured Kier is fine, I make my way back to my room, leaving the door open. I’m shocked, Alfie did this. From the soft turquoise throw rug, I’m sinking my toes into to the turquoise comforter with peonies. The man even remembered my favorite flower. It’s hard to stay angry at him when he’s showing me how much I meant.

He’s kept quiet about his past with my father and his paternity, but I can tell it’s killing him. Every time he looks at Kier, there’s longing, joy, and fury wrapped into one. I can still read those electric blue pools after all this time when his guard is down. Which isn’t often. A small voice in my head tells me what I’m doing is wrong. But it’s drowned out by the urge to do right by Kier. I have yet to tell him this is our home for now. Being a parent is hard, but this feels like walking through a minefield and trying not to detonate anything. In the end, my little boy is going to have his heartbroken. Putting it off won’t change that. But it might give me a chance to get myself together so I can help him through the next stage in life.

Right now, I’m shaky and confused.

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