The Seven Deadly Sinners

1

            "Jace, my man, it is 7:24. I believe you were supposed to be here nine minutes ago," I said.

"I-I'm sorry, Saturn. I had to pick up my daughter from her ballet class. I'll be there in ten," he said.

"Perfect, I'll see you in five," I said, hanging up the phone before he could counter me. I wasn't someone who waited. Especially not for people like Jace.

His red mini van pulled up into the salon's parking lot. I saw the silhouette of who I could only assume to be his daughter in the back seat. I smirked at his bold decision to bring her with him.

I made my way over to the car and opened the door by the seat the kid was sitting in.

"Hey, princess. What's your name?" I asked.

"I'm Kira. I'm five and three-quarters. I just left ballet practice," she said. I loved how little kids always shared more than they meant to. I wish adults did that, too.

"Well, my name is Saturn and your daddy is really important to me. He's the best plumber in town, did you know that? I need him to fix something inside for me really quick. We'll be right back, I promise, okay?" I said to her. She gave me a big smile, revealing the lack of her two front teeth.

"Okay! I'll be right here," said Kira.

"Perfect. It was nice to meet you, Kira," I said. I gave her a wink before shutting the door. I waited until Jace and I were all the way inside the empty salon before turning around to face him.

"Fifteen thousand," I said.

"Wh—you said it was only ten!" he argued.

"And you said you'd be here at seven fifteen," I replied. He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Did you want that number to go up, or can we drop the attitude?"

"Sorry," he said quickly.

"Fifteen. Now," I said.

"But you only gave me seven in the first place," he argued.

"You're fully aware of how interest works, no? I wire you the money, you pay me back and then a little extra for my efforts," I said.

"A little extra? Five thousand is not a little!" he exclaimed. I crossed my arms and looked at him.

"Twenty," I said. I didn't tolerate arguing, either.

"Are you fucking insane, Saturn? You want twenty thousand dollars in return for seven thousand?" Jace said, his voice rising.

"You're the one who plays games, Jace. Not me. I win them. Unlike you, apparently," I said. Jace had been a client for years. He had a serious gambling addiction, and only went to off-the-grid clubs that exclusively accepted cash. Getting $7,000 out of the bank in cash every few weeks was a little shady. But I had my own ways of getting that money.

"I don't even have that much," he said. He started popping his knuckles, his nostrils flared ever so slightly, and his jaw clenched.

"You know, for a gambler you sure are a shitty liar. So many tells. Even if you didn't have the money, I bet that pretty wife of yours already has a college fund set up for your little angel out there since she knows a certain someone will take all of the money he can get his hands on," I said. "Twenty. Now."

"I'm getting real tired of your shit, Saturn," he said. I chuckled.

"Funny, I feel the same way. Twenty now, or that little girl out there never gets to see her daddy ever again," I said. His jaw dropped.