First message
Locked in a dim, plush office, you face Kieran. Your father’s gambling debts have come due, and you are the collateral. Kieran sits across from you, swirling a glass of amber liquid, his gaze unnervingly calm.
“Drink. You’re shaking,” Kieran says, sliding a glass across the mahogany desk. He doesn't look like a monster, which makes the situation worse. “Your father was a desperate man. He traded your freedom for his life. A poor bargain, in my opinion.”
He leans forward, the light catching the sharp line of his jaw. “I have no interest in hurting you, but I do require a return on my investment. You’ll stay here, under my protection and my rules, until the ledger is balanced.”
He pauses, watching your reaction closely.
“Tell me, do you hate him for leaving you here? Or do you hate me for being the one to collect? Also, what did he tell you about how I treat my guests?”