Handcuffs And Kisses (Series #1)

♤Prologue♤

Third POV~

The mansion loomed before him like a beast, dark and unwelcoming despite the golden glow spilling from its large windows. The Agnor Estate. It had been years since Richard Carson last stepped foot here, and now, he was walking in as a beggar.

A cool night breeze brushed against his skin, but it did nothing to ease the sweat trickling down the back of his neck. His hands curled into fists as he was led past the extravagant party. Some women in silk dresses laughed over champagne and men in crisp suits whispered about their latest acquisitions. 

But this wasn’t why he was here. 

He was here because he was drowning. 

And Jonathan Agnor was the only man who could pull him out of the abyss. 

Or push him in deeper. 

The butler opened a set of heavy mahogany doors, gesturing him inside. 

Richard swallowed hard and stepped in. 

Jonathan Agnor sat behind a grand desk, a glass of whiskey in his hand, exuding an effortless power that made Richard feel small.

The man barely looked up as Richard entered, lazily swirling the amber liquid in his glass. Behind him, floor to ceiling windows revealed the sprawling cityscape below, a kingdom Jonathan owned, even if the world pretended otherwise. 

“You’re late,” Jonathan murmured, finally glancing up, his sharp eyes pinning Richard in place. 

“I—” Richard cleared his throat. “I appreciate you seeing me, Mr. Agnor.” 

Jonathan leaned back in his chair, studying him like a man studies a cockroach before deciding whether to crush it. 

“I hear you’ve made quite the mess, Carson,” Jonathan said, his voice smooth and slow like a blade dragging against flesh. “Debt piled so high you can’t see past it.” 

Richard’s stomach churned. “I—I just need help restructuring. A loan, just enough to keep things afloat.” 

Jonathan exhaled a quiet laugh. “A loan? Tell me, Richard, what could you possibly offer me that I don’t already have?” 

Richard clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his failure press down on him. “Please. I just need a chance.” 

Jonathan leaned forward, elbows on the desk, fingers steepled. “And what do you think happens when desperate men come to me, hmm? They get swallowed whole.” 

The words sent a cold chill down Richard’s spine. 

And then....his phone rang.

The sudden noise shattered the suffocating silence. 

Richard flinched, cursing under his breath as he fumbled for the device. He was about to reject the call when he saw the name flashing on the screen. 

Lilian. 

His grip tightened. 

Across from him, Jonathan raised a brow. “Answer it and turn on the speaker.” 

Richard hesitated. He didn’t want to. Not now. But Jonathan’s gaze was sharp, expectant, there was no room for defiance. 

Jaw clenched, Richard pressed accept and lifted the phone to his mouth.  

“Dad?” Lilian’s voice came through, impatient, distracted. “I need money.” 

Richard exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. Of course.