That’s Axel. He sounds desperate, scared.
“Sorry doesn’t pay debts. This isn’t even all of it.”
There’s a sound—flesh on flesh, a grunt of pain. I flinch.
Thea’s hand finds mine, squeezes hard.
“Please—”
“Time’s up.”
Another sound. A body hitting the ground.
I can’t breathe. Can’t move. Can’t think.
Thea pulls me back, whispers urgently, “We need to go. Now.”
But I can’t. I can’t leave him.
I peer around the corner.
Axel is on the ground, curled on his side. Blood drips from his nose, pools on the concrete. A guy stands over him—tall, broad, built like he could break someone in half without trying.
He’s holding Axel’s phone. Scrolling through it.
“Lexi stopped texting and calling.” The guy’s voice is casual, curious. “This envelope hers? Is she your whore?”
Axel is in too much pain to answer.
The guy crouches down, grabs Axel by the hair, yanks his head up. “I asked you a question.”
“My sister,” Axel chokes out. “She’s—she’s nobody. Leave her alone.”
The guy smirks. “Your sister is a nobody, huh?” He flicks through the money. “This doesn’t seem like a nobody if she’s bailing you out with all this cash.”
He stands, throws down the phone, and looks down at Axel like he’s garbage.
“You’ve got until tomorrow to come up with the rest. Same time. Same place. And if you’re short again...” He lets the threat hang, unfinished.
Then he walks away. Just like that. Into the shadows.
I wait until his footsteps fade, until the alley is silent except for Axel’s ragged breathing.
Then I step out.
Axel is still on the ground, trying to push himself up. His face is a mess—blood everywhere, one eye swollen shut now.
“Axel—”
He sees me. His face goes white.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“I followed you.”
“Jesus Christ, Lex—” He stands, wobbles, catches himself against the wall. “You need to leave. Now.”
“Who was that?”
