Alaric's POV

Marku began coldly, "Our agreement says that I can take payment in any form that I choose, does it not?"

Esmeralda trembled as she whispered, "Yes, but if you will just give us a few more days, I promise we will have it."

He smiled cruelly, "Your mistake was not remembering who you were dealing with. Proceed with the $450K wire and I will gladly absolve you of the $50K balance in exchange for your daughter as my new pet." 

"No!" Esmeralda gasped in horror. 

"Oh yes. Wire the money now," he demanded. He turned to one of his guards and ordered, "Bring me the girl." The guard...