Chapter 1

ANNABELLE'S POV

"I can't believe you'd stoop so low. Cheating on me after all we've been through is just heartless and disgusting. Sign these divorce papers right now." These were the last words I told my ex-husband eight months ago when I found him in my cousin's bed.

After my divorce with my scumbag husband I moved in with my sister. It was a long day at work. I had been working overtime to save more and get a new place of my own because my ex husband gambled away our savings. Yes I was stupid for trusting him but I was young and fancied myself in love with him.

"Emma, are you home? I brought lunch." I called my sister as I entered the house, but there was no reply. Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind, shoving me against the door.

"Mrs. Roberts. It's a pleasure to meet you." It was the voice of a man. "My name is Gerald Vory. Your husband told us so much about you, especially how I can get my money from you." The man said, gripping my neck. I was shocked. Everyone in the city knows who Gerald Vory. He's part of the Mafia who uses their club to act as a front and launder money.

“It’s Miss Steele now, I asked for a divorce. I said. “Well, I asked for a threesome with Blake Riley and Julia Roberts, but I’m not getting that.” The truth is, you were married to Thomas Roberts, and he owes me a lot of money. “Your husband told us to come to you because you have the money.” He said you stole from him. Gerald said with a threatening voice

I stared at him in shock. "That's a bloody lie!. I didn't steal anything from Thomas. He cheated on me and used half of the money he borrowed from you to gamble and the rest to spoil his mistress". I hissed at him using a low voice.

“Well, it's your word against his, so I don't care. All I'm interested in is getting my money, so you better contact him and tell him to pay up”. Gerald said. I turned to the left, and right there was that creep that had been following me for months. Emma had told me to speak to the police but the process felt overwhelming so I didn't pay him any mind.

Gerald must have seen my reaction because a sneaky smile appeared on his face. "I can see you have already met my right hand man, Kenneth. I just needed to know my price was secured. Can't have you running like you ran away from your husband.” Gerald walked closer to me, and I smelled his strong cologne. Thomas has left the country, and now his pretty wife won’t tell me where he is”. Gerald said.

“His ex-wife doesn’t know where he is.” I replied and tried to pull my hand away, but he held it tightly. “And she knows how to use pepper spray. Stay back.” I didn’t want Emma, who was upstairs, to hear and come down. She didn’t know about my situation, and I was sure she would grab her gun and shoot both of these men if she saw what was happening. I didn’t want Emma to get involved with my problems. Not this one. She had already done so much for me.

“Use your skills to find him,” Gerald said. “After all, you found the worst husband in New England. You found him once; you can do it again. Have some faith.” Gerald said with a mocking voice.

“We both know I have no idea where to start. "I haven't spoke to him in months and I don't care to. I have no business with him.". I used the hand he held to push him away, but he didn’t move. He just tightened his grip.

“Then his debt is now yours. Whatever happened to 'in sickness and in health'? How does the vow go?” Gerald snapped his fingers at Kenneth, who was behind him. Kenneth smiled, showing his bad teeth.

“Beats me, Boss. Never got married. Don’t plan to.”

“Smart guy.”

I clenched my fists at the disgusting accusation, "I didn't run away, neither did I steal from you. You don't have any evidence against me, all you have is lies told against me by my scumbag ex husband so leave my house." My voice shook despite my feigned confidence.

"Watch your mouth princess. I give you till the end of the week to get my money back or you'd regret ever being born when I'm done with you." Gerald said, making me shudder.

“This is my last warning. The next time I visit you I won't be so friendly so you better prepare my money”. Gerald whispered menacingly in my ear. Then he turned around and left with Kenneth.

I walked into my sister's bedroom and saw that she just came out of the shower and was wearing her pajamas. Thank goodness she didn't come out and meet Gerald and Kenneth.

“You're late”. Emma said. “Yeah, one of my student's parents didn't come on time to pick him up after my extra hour shift”. I replied.

“You know you don't have to work this hard Annabelle. Since you refuse to accept money from me to sue that bastard husband of yours”. Emma grumbled, giving me a frown.

“I can't afford to sue anyone Emma, I'm barely making ends meet and I even have to live with you because I can't afford rent”. I answered her with a tired voice.

“Ok then, at least ask our very rich best friend Ariella for help. She'll be more than happy to assist you.” Emma replied.

“She’ll worry, and I don’t want to be that needy friend.” I said. “It’s only a few thousand dollars, I'm sure she could help you with that. Emma suggested, smiling at me.”

It’s really three hundred thousand dollars, but Emma didn’t know that. And that was why I couldn’t ask Ariella for that.

“Then think about this,” Emma pressed. “If asking Ariella feels weird, go to Killian King. He’d give you the money. Sure, he’d enjoy making you beg for it, he’s as infuriating as he is handsome but you’d leave with what you need.” Why hadn't I thought about that earlier.

Eight months ago, the same week Thomas disappeared, Killian took over Royal pipelines Enterprises, his father’s oil company, becoming the CEO. Why hadn’t I thought of him before?. Killian King was my best chance at the money. He didn’t owe anyone anything, could keep a secret, and loved watching people squirm. He’d helped me once before, and I was sure he’d do it again. And all I had to do was find the courage to ask.

It's been awhile since I last saw him and I didn't know what to feel about meeting the bully, my best friend's brother who stole my first kiss.