Indebted Read Free

know, and you can inform Mr. Everson of this too, I will be looking into this on my own.”
    Not even turning around, he says, “Fine. If you decide to do anything permanent, I suggest you get permission first.”
    Watching the doors close, I sit down heavily in my chair.
    I wonder if someone is trying to fuck with me, or if the old man is getting bored and trying to stir shit up. It wouldn’t be the first time he put my ass in a sling. I figure it’s worth it to at least have one trusted ear to the ground, and I pick up the phone.
    Letting it ring close to ten times, I’m getting ready to hang up when Tristan answers. “Walsh here.”
    Tristan’s voice, with his slight southern twang, has a way of calming me and uplifting my mood.
    Chuckling, I say, “Damn, old man, took you long enough to answer the phone.”
    “Fuck you, Sandoval. Not all of us have cushy office jobs. I happen to be out in the field doing some recon.”
    Hearing the humor in his voice, I surmise he isn’t on that serious a job. “Well, good, I’m glad I caught you in that mindset. I have a favor to ask of you—”
    He cuts me off. “I’m not fucking you, Sandoval, no matter how much you beg. If you step out of your office occasionally, you’ll see a gorgeous blonde who has her name on my dick—”
    I start laughing outright. “Whoa, dude, too much information! I hope for you, and all men who would be cringing at the thought of a tattoo there, you’re speaking figuratively.” Clearing my throat, I try to settle myself down. “Anyway, I had an interesting meeting with Asshole today….”
    After I fill him in, he is quiet on the line for a couple of minutes before saying, “You know, Liam, I’m really at a loss here. I can’t think of anyone who would be stupid enough to start a rumor like that—especially not anyone with Thomas’s ear. I’m hoping it’s Dickhead with his panties in a bunch. Just in case, though, I will of course keep my eyes and ears open for you.”
    Sighing, disappointed but not surprised, I say, “Thanks man, you’re the best.”
    Hanging up, I settle myself down to getting these reports done.
    Before I know it, Addison is buzzing me. “Mr. Sandoval, there is an Aaron Quinn here to see you.”
    Wow, he showed.
    “Yeah, Addison, I was expecting him. Go ahead and send him in.” Moving to cover up some of my paperwork, I hear the door open. I motion to him without even glancing up. “Have a seat, Aaron.”
    Once I’m satisfied nothing sensitive is out in the open, I look up and meet the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen. I feel like the breath has been knocked right out of me. Well, fuck my life. This absolutely isn’t Aaron Quinn, Sr.

Chapter 2

     
     
    A S I step onto the front stoop of my childhood home, I can’t even feel the severe cold.
    I barely remembered my coat in my haste to leave. Now that I’m out the door, though, I can’t get my brain to think of where to go. Sitting down heavily on the stairs, I try to catch my breath from the suffocating pressure in my chest. A few minutes pass, and I finally calm down a little. It’s then I feel the frigid wind hitting the tears streaming down my face. I wasn’t aware I was crying until now.
    I can’t believe this is happening.
    Angrily, I wipe away the tears with the sleeve of my coat, stand up, and start toward my lifeline in a daze. My mind is all over the place as I walk to the greasy spoon where Chloe works. I can’t see any way out; I just can’t. Besides, Dad is depending on me. I’m just going to have to pull myself up by the bootstraps and do this. I have to—but I don’t want to. Just the thought of what I’m going to have to do makes my skin crawl.
    I make quick work of the twenty-minute walk to Frappy’s, a small diner popular with the locals, then pace outside, taking in deep breaths. Attempting to make myself presentable, I run my hands nervously through my hair. I don’t know why I bother, though, because when Chloe