Page 25 of Bound in Debt

“I asked you if you saw Victoria,” he says again, sounding pissed as all hell that he has to repeat himself.

“Haven’t,” I reply. “However, I heard congratulations are in order. Your mother told me you two are ready to announce your engagement.”

Liam releases a tiny scoff. “Yeah…if I can find her.”

Dumbass.

“You sure she’s not in the house somewhere fixing her makeup?”

My nephew barely stops himself from rolling his eyes. “She climbed through my bedroom window.”

I bite back my smirk, although it’s difficult to repress it.

Her escape should be clue number one that Victoria doesn’t want anything to do with him, but Liam was raised to believe in an outdated no before yes culture when it comes to women. The idea that someone could say “no” and mean it is probably beyond his comprehension.

“Some women like the chase.” I lift my shoulder in a shrug as if it’s of no matter to me, as if I’ve badgered women into saying yes to me. I haven’t—I’ve never needed to. In the same breath Victoria punches me in the back of the spine.

“Victoria never makes things easy for me,” my nephew admits. “She saw some stuff and is pissed at me.”

“Have you gotten her a ring yet?” Liam shakes his head. “Diamonds make women forget easily enough.”

“Not this one. Vee would rather you buy her a fancy knife than a piece of jewelry.”

Interesting.

I’m starting to get the sense that Victoria likes fighting the system she was born into and refuses to just lie back and accept her privilege as her due. I don’t know her family, but I do know that Marissa wouldn’t have bet everything on them if they weren’t loaded.

“Well, knife or ring, figure something out soon. Don’t let this one slip away.” I wish we were having this conversation without an audience. Unfortunately, I may not get the opportunity to talk to Liam alone again for a while, and I need to know what he does. “I’ve met at least one of your problems.”

Liam’s eyes widen a bit before he catches himself, affecting an air of disinterest. “What do you mean?”

I make a point of scanning our surroundings, pretending that I’m worried someone may hear us. I lower my voice, but keep my words vague, knowing Victoria can hear everything we say. “The one your father left you.”

Liam lifts his head, almost looking embarrassed. “They found you.”

I nod. “And if we don’t play our cards right, we’ll have to fold.”

My nephew bobs his head repeatedly. “I know, I know. If it doesn’t work, I’m not sure what we’re gonna do.”

“Listen,” I mutter, giving another look around the place. “How about you and I meet up tomorrow? That way we don’t have to worry about….” My nephew quickly catches on as he takes a step back from my doorway.

“Sure, that’d be, uh…great.”

“Go look for your girl,” I urge with a jerk of my head. “If I see her, I’ll text you. Let’s do lunch. We can talk things out without your mom around. No need to stress her out more.”

That seems to appease my nephew.

“Thanks, Uncle Dante.” He turns to leave, striding back toward the house. I’d almost feel bad for him if he weren’t trying to rope an innocent girl into the mess.

Although, he doesn’t seem to have many options.

I’m not sure what I would have done if I’d found myself in the same predicament at his age.

Once I close the door, Victoria is on me like a wildcat. She gets right into my personal space, her lavender scent assaulting my senses and throwing me off balance.

“Why would you do that?” she cries out through narrowed, teary eyes. “Why would you send him after me?”

“I needed him to get out of here, didn’t I?”