TAINTED ADORATION

CHAPTER TWO

           

I was standing still. Could not move. I felt trapped. What did this man mean by "he's been waiting for this day?".

My eyes searched frantically for a weapon but unless I wanted to use  a paper menu to inflict injury somehow then, there wasn't really much to choose from. Matt was no help of course. He was standing there uselessly slumped behind me.

"We will have our reunions later,  little one. I must first deal with this one" said the man before reaching behind me to probably harm Matt. I jumped in front of him before he could do anything. He sighed and looked at me directly. Obviously I knew this man was just humoring me. If he wanted to get at Matt, he would. He was noticeably stronger and taller than me.

I decided to tap into lawyer mode. There was a reason I was studying law obviously. Entertainment law but still there must be some basics that could help.

"Mr......" I asked

"River. River Parker"

The name definitely rang bells. Maybe I've seen him on the news or something? One of these billionaires that always travel to Malaga with arm candy? But this wasn't the time to ponder this. I would have to use my bargaining skills which were basically not the best to strike some sort of deal to save Matt's life.

And your life. My brain said.

However for some strange reason. I knew I wasn't in danger here. I could feel it.

"Mr. Parker. Uhm. Isn't there something we can do to pay you back? You know. Maybe involve ourselves in bake sales or something. I am a very good baker actually. I won a compe........."

"Sorry to interrupt you here little one, as you can see my men are really restless tonight and all this stalling your doing is beginning to bore not only them but me as well so if you could kindly move aside my flower"

"Wait!" I shouted out. "What exactly did you do for Matt?"

I turned to Matt. Pissed off that he wasn't even trying to beg for his own life. He was just standing there, silently crying.

"Matt borrowed a huge sum of money from me Rosie so it's only befitting that I ask for it back"

"R—Rosie, how do you know my name?"

His eyes wandered over me and a dark smile which made me feel uncomfortable and very hot at the same time spread over his face,

"Lucky guess"

"BOSS?" one of the goons behind said.

"How much did he borrow?" I asked, ignoring the goon.

River smiled

"Do you really want to know my flower?"

"Stop calling me that! Now answer the question"

River shrugged and said "Only three hundred thousand dollars"

I sputtered like a fish. Matt had never bought me a MCflurry before. He would always buy those 90 cent dollar cone ice creams if I asked nicely. So I wondered what the heck he was doing with three hundred grand.

"Matt here has a gambling fetish so he incurred a huge debt from a business rival of mine and came crawling on his knees for help.  I am always willing to offer support but at a price. So even though he only owed one hundred and fifty, I made him sign  a non-disclosure agreement that he would pay me back double  what he owed me or there would be consequences" said River casually as If he had read my mind.

"But that's not fair" I burst out

"People don't make it by being fair little one. You are too nice and trusting for your own good that is something I plan to change in you. I plan to taint your innocence" he murmured.