Chapter 40: Kicked Out
1138words
I stormed into Nathan's house with three large henchmen. His mother was in the living room as usual. The last time I saw her, she was sitting in the same spot, watching TV and stirring up trouble in her son's life. She had started all of this. Everything began with her and her ridiculous excuses for sacrifice. Looking at her now, I felt like picking up a club and hitting her over the head.
'What do you want?" she asked, fidgeting on the couch.
'What do I want?" I squatted in front of her, locking my gaze with hers. 'I want your life," I whispered, and she gasped. 'Or maybe I will start by cutting off your legs."
'You can't do that. My son will have you arrested," she said, trying to sound brave.
'Really? And what if I kill him too? Who is going to arrest me then? By that time, you would already be six feet under," I replied, watching her eyes dart between me and the men.
'What do you want? I will give you anything," her voice trembled.
'You have got nothing to offer, Mrs. Reyes. Your son is drowning in debt and facing bankruptcy. What exactly do you have that I would want?" I stood up and glanced around the room.
Things had changed since the last time I was here. The curtains were different. The house seemed renovated, or maybe I had forgotten what it really looked like.
'I want to call my son," her voice brought me back to her.
'Go ahead, call whoever you want. You should be glad I'm granting your last request," I said as I walked into the kitchen. I knew my way around. Two middle-aged women were crouched behind the breakfast bar, terrified. They fell back when they saw me.
'Don't worry, I'm not here for you," I said, but they clung to each other, trembling. I ignored them, poured myself a glass of water, and headed back to the living room. I sat next to Nathan's mother, who gasped as her hands trembled.
The three men stood near the door, arms folded. They were intimidating. If I hadn't fought alongside many like them, I would have been scared myself.
'Here," I offered the glass of water to her. She shook her head. 'You don't have a choice. Drink it, or I will force it down your throat," I warned, and she grabbed the glass with shaking hands. 'Drink it all."
'I… I don't want to," she stammered.
I yanked the glass from her and shoved it toward her mouth, forcing the water down her throat.
'Scarlett!" Nathan shouted, rushing forward, but my men stopped him. I turned, feigning a pout. 'Don't you dare touch my mother!" he yelled.
'Okay, I won't touch her—as long as she behaves," I said calmly. 'Drink up, Mommy. Let's get to business," I added, handing her the glass while Nathan struggled against the men.
'Stop this, Scarlett!" Nathan groaned.
His mother's hands shook as she lifted the glass to her mouth. 'It's just water, Nathan. Water is good for her health," I said softly. 'Or do you want me to force it down your throat again?" I snapped at her. She took a sip, trembling. I grabbed the glass and poured the rest into her mouth.
'Scarlett!" Nathan roared again, his glare enough to kill if it could.
'One more outburst, and I will make her walk to you," I warned him.
'You wouldn't dare!"
'Wanna bet?" I raised an eyebrow. His chest heaved with fury. But except he thinks he was Dwayne Johnson, he couldn't take on my men. The last time I checked, Nathan wasn't a fighter. 'Now, am I getting my money or the house?" I asked, wiping my wet hands on his mother's dress.
'Let my mother go," he softened his voice.
I looked at her, then back at him. 'Am I holding her? Or should I make her walk to you?"
'That's not what I meant. Just don't touch her. I will pay you the money."
'Okay, cash or transfer?" I asked, taking out my phone.
'I don't have the money now."
'What… what money, son?" his mother asked.
'Why didn't you tell her, Nathan? Mrs. Reyes, your family company is drowning in debt. Your son used this house as collateral. Now the debt is mine, and if he doesn't pay, you are both out," I explained.
'Why didn't you tell me, son? We could have reached out to family friends," she said, tears welling up.
'I didn't want you to worry, Mother," he said. 'Scarlett, please, give me more time. I can't pay $5 million now, not with the state my company is in."
'I will give you more time on one condition."
'Which is?" he asked, desperate.
'Let me make your mother walk," I said.
'No, you can't do that! You will hurt her. Please, Scarlett, I'm begging you."
'You are pushing my patience, Nathan. I have been kind enough to give you three options. Pay in cash, transfer, or let me make her walk. You are leaving me no choice," I said. 'Boys, get their things out. I'm locking up."
'Scarlett, please. Let's settle this peacefully. I will pay you, just don't do this," Nathan begged, but two of the men were already upstairs, packing.
'It's too late. Help your mother out. If I do it, she will just die," I said, standing.
His mother grabbed my hand. 'I know why you are doing this. It's my fault. Take me, let my son go, please my child," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
'I'm not your child!" I yanked my hand away, nearly knocking her over. Nathan rushed to steady her.
'What's wrong with you?" he yelled at me.
'If I was your child, you wouldn't have done what you did to me. Karma is real, and now it's my turn to push you out," I said, heading toward the door. 'If anyone resists, kill them," I told the third man, who nodded.
'Scarlett," Nathan called, but when I turned, he said nothing. I left, leaving my men to finish the job.
I expected to feel better—to feel relief after seeing them so helpless—but I didn't. I didn't feel any peace. Maybe they didn't cry enough, maybe they had another option, or maybe it was something else. But why couldn't I feel happy?
I slammed my hand on the steering wheel, pulling over on the side of the road, and started crying. 'This isn't what I wanted. I thought I would feel better after this," I sobbed.
I dialed Jaguar's number, and he answered instantly like he had been waiting.
'Don't go ahead with the plan, okay?" I said.
'Okay, boss," he mumbled, sounding drunk, and I hung up.
