"I'm sure you can understand our financial predicament." Vivian speaks like we're in a business meeting. "She's indebted to the company, along with the debt her brother Jero leveraged against her."

"Why don't you ask him to join us?" I say as I straighten up.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. He's being detained as collateral until she's paid back what's owed."

"If this was about money, you'd just ask me to write a check," I seethe, waiting for her to get to the fucking point. "So why don't you tell me what it's going to cost to cut ties or give me the real reason you want her so...