Chapter 4 Unseen Debts
The next morning, the harsh sunlight slicing through the thin window blinds did little to chase away the heavy ache settled deep into Adrian’s bones. Every muscle protested as he sat up, the bruises on his jaw and ribs flaring with a sharp, dull throb.
He stared blankly at the peeling paint of his apartment wall, the reality of the previous night crashing down on him all over again. The $10,000 intended for his sister's chemotherapy was gone—money from the club stolen right out of his backpack by the loan sharks.
Think, Adrian, think, he scolded himself, rubbing his sore face.
The club wouldn't yield enough tips to cover that kind of deficit in time, and waiting around for another lucky VIP break was a fool's errand. He needed money, and he needed it fast.
His gaze drifted to the floor where his phone lay battery-dead or discarded from the night before. Crawling over to it, he picked it up and plugged it into the charger. The screen lit up instantly, displaying the missed calls and, most importantly, Dr. Volsk's contact information.
He hadn't been able to get through the night before, but desperation has a way of erasing pride. If Dr. Volsk had access to elite clientele who paid thousands for private services, maybe—just maybe—there was another client on that doctor's roster who needed a massage and didn't happen to be an Alpha King with a grudge.
Adrian's fingers hovered over the keypad. His heart spiked a nervous beat at the memory of Donovan's emerald eyes and the terrifying pull of his omega heat, but the image of his sister pushed all hesitation aside.
He tapped out the digits and pressed call, holding his breath as the line rang.
Ring... ring... click.
"Speak," a cool, sharp voice answered on the other end.
"Dr. Volsk?" Adrian cleared his throat, trying to sound as steady and professional as possible despite his split lip. "It's... it's Adrian. The masseur from last night."
A pause stretched on the line, heavy and intimidating.
"You're very bold, human, calling back after running out of the Alpha King's suite like a startled rabbit," Dr. Volsk replied, a hint of amusement laced in his tone. "The Alpha was displeased, to say the least."
"I know," Adrian said, gripping the phone tighter. "And I apologize for that. But... I'm calling about work. You mentioned needing a professional masseur for a client who pays well. Is that position still open?"
Silence met him for a few seconds. Then, a low sigh came through the receiver.
"I hear your desperation. But, I'm sorry, I have found a professional replacement for my hospital this morning, we won't be needing you anymore," Dr. Volsk murmured.
Adrian's remaining hope slipped away till the gutters.
"Okay... I understand. Thanks."
The line went dead.
Adrian sighed, plastering his forehead to the floor in defeat.
Michelle wouldn't have the kind of money he needed; even if she did, she needed it to run her club.
How on earth was he supposed to save his twin sister?
The vibration of his phone snapped him out of his thoughts as he quickly grabbed it off the floor.
He thought Dr. Volsk was calling with some good news, but it was the hospital.
"Hello?" He sat up, heart jumping with fear.
"Mr. Lennox, we need you to come to the hospital. Your sister named you as her healthcare proxy. She's unable to make this decision herself. We need to know whether you want us to honor the DNR," the nurse spoke calmly.
Adrian scrambled up, ignoring the sharp protests of his bruised ribs, and grabbed a clean hoodie to mask the worst of his appearance.
He picked his pill bottle and popped four in his mouth, then he bolted out the door.
He ended the call long ago.
There was nothing to say on the phone; he needed to meet his sister face-to-face and find out what sort of pranks she was up to.
The taxi ride was a test of his patience, so was the early morning traffic.
Finally, they arrived at the hospital and Adrian rushed out of the car, running through the patients and nurses at the reception.
His knees groaned as he took the stairs, but he didn't care; he pushed further until he arrived at the hallway.
He weaved straight for his sister's room, pushing the door open just to find her sitting up on the thin bed and coughing blood into the tissue she held.
The room smelled of cheap disinfectant and blood.
"Adriana," he gasped, rushing to her side, his hands finding her back to rub over her pale blue hospital gown.
"Hey, kiddo," she whispered hoarsely, lifting her pale face to smile faintly at him.
"I'm just 90 seconds younger. No difference," he muttered, grabbing a clean tissue from the drawer to clean her mouth.
"Mhm," she smirked tiredly, her shaved head nodding once.
Adrian poured some water and held it to her lips, patiently letting her drink to her fill.
"Thanks," she whispered.
Adrian took the soiled tissues and threw them in the trash.
He faced the wall for a few seconds and slowly faced his sister.
"You asked for a do not resuscitate form?" he asked, fists clenching as he bit down on his tongue to stop his tears from falling.
Adriana nodded, not looking at her brother.
"Look at me," Adrian said, getting closer to the bed.
Adriana reluctantly looked up at him, her eyes teary.
"You want to leave me?" Adrian questioned. "I thought it was us against the world? You're giving up so easily? Leaving me alone in this cruel place with no one to call home?" His voice broke, tears falling.
Adriana lowered her gaze to her lap, tears dripping onto her hospital gown.
"I can't let you keep suffering for me—"
"You're also suffering for me..." he cupped her hand, sitting on the small space beside her. "You're suffering to stay alive for me. You're fighting to be by my side, to live this beautiful yet horrible life with me. Leaving me... is killing me... do you want to kill me?" He sniffled softly.
Adriana sobbed quietly, letting her forehead rest on Adrian's shoulder.
Adrian hugged her gently, closing his eyes and sighing.
She felt so thin, so weak. She stopped taking her suppressants months ago; the sickness was draining everything from her, including her omega scent.
"I..." she sobbed, "I had an episode last night, they couldn't help me much, because our money couldn't cover the medications they required. I feel useless—"
"You're not useless," he cupped her face, smiling at her as he wiped her tears with his thumb. "You're my warrior princess, and you're my better half. We'll beat this dumb cancer together, and we'll celebrate it with a pack of tobacco cigarettes." He winked.
Adriana laughed, hoarse, but genuine. "Okay," she nodded, "I'll beat this dumb cancer." Her thin fingers tracked his cheeks, "For us." She kissed his cheek.
"There, all fixed, now when that nurse comes with the form, tell her to shove it up her ass. I'll steal if I have to—"
"Adrian," she narrowed her eyes at him.
"I'm kidding. I'm kidding," he raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, no stealing even though it's so much easier. I guess I'll have to look for more work. Don't worry about me, I'm healthy as a donkey." He patted his biceps, flexing them for her.
"You look thin. Eat more," she smiled.
"Bad response. Don't say that when a male is trying to flirt with you," he chuckled.
"Adrian," she calmed softly, "Thank you... really. I don't know what I'd have done without you."
"Nothing. Obviously," he smirked.
"You're right," she sighed.
Adrian helped her lie down, watching her weak eyes start to close.
He thought of telling her about who he met last night, but he wasn't so sure she'd want to hear it in her condition.
"You're quiet and staring. What are you hiding?" she asked without opening her eyes.
Adrian exhaled deeply, "I bumped into Donovan," he murmured.
Almost instantly, she snapped her eyes open, "Did you kill him?"
Adrian bit his lip and shook his head, "It was unplanned. I had to leave before he recognized me or whiffed out my scent."
"You're on suppressants," she said, trying to sound stern, but her weakness won over her.
Adrian nodded, "Yes... but he's the Alpha King, Adriana. They never told us the suppressants weaken beside Alpha Kings..." he paused, letting the message sink in.
Adriana was quiet, realizing what was at risk.
"I swear I almost... I almost submitted to him. I had to leave. It was so strong, so unbearable."
"Get a higher dose. Call Nun, she knows how to source them," Adrian advised.
Adrian nodded slowly, "Get some rest. I'll come later with some fruits." He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"Goodbye, my bald eagle," he chuckled.
Adriana offered a weak smile, "Promise me you'll stay away from that devil. You get close to kill him, promise," she demanded.
Adrian paused by the door and placed his hand on his chest, "I swear it on our fathers' ashes," he said.
"Go, I need to sleep," she waved him away.
Adrian blew her a kiss and quietly slipped out of the door and sighed in relief.
Now that he'd gotten one problem out of the way, he needed to tackle the other one, which was finding a freaking high-paying job.
He hurried down the stairs, ignoring his stomach protesting for food. He needed to find something before night fell or the kitchen or Jax would be ringing his phone nonstop.
On his way, he saw the nurse who had called him sitting behind the counter and paused, "Hi, no DNR, please. Thanks, bye." He waved and quickly walked out of the hospital.
The moment he stepped into the sun, his steps faltered.
The loan sharks stood beside their grey van, waiting for him.
"Shit," Adrian gulped and took a backward step onto the stair behind him, watching them keenly to know if he should make a run for it or talk from a distance.
"Hello, Adrian," one of them waved.
Adrian pulled his hoodie down, covering his face so no one recognizes him as he spoke to them.
"What do you want? You took everything last night. I don't lay money eggs, you know," he gritted out.
The men shared a surprised look.
"What are you talking about? We came to apologize, and to thank you for making a full payment this morning," the second man spoke.
"Yeah, and we just wanted you to know that we were only doing our jobs, apologies for the manhandling, but if you ever need money, you can come to us. Anytime," the first man smiled.
They nodded curtly at him, entered their van, and drove away.
Adrian stood there, shocked to his bones.
He blinked only when a little boy bumped into his leg as he chased his ball.
He shifted away from the way, staring at the space where the loan sharks had stood.
Then... he slapped himself.
"Ouch! Darn it... that felt real," he groaned, palming his stinging cheek.
"Well, fuck." He climbed down the stairs, a frown on his face.
"What the fuck just happened? I paid in full?" He muttered, walking down the street.
There must be a mix-up somewhere.
"Shit!" Adrian jumped and hugged the pole beside him as a black, tinted car speedily screeched to a stop in front of him.
He slowly released the pole, stepping away as the front doors flew open.
He stilled as the familiar man who had opened the door for him last night stepped out of the driver's side, locking his gaze on him.
"No," Adrian whispered, taking slow steps away from them.
He thought he had escaped them... had they found him out?
"The Alpha King will see you now, Adrian. Get in," the man ordered.
Adrian glanced around the street; no one seemed to pay attention, or they simply didn't want problems with the dangerous-looking men.
"Can I refuse?" he asked quietly.
"Do not refuse," the man said.
"He ordered your presence, willingly, or unconscious," he stated.
One of the men strode forward, eyes blazing a low, warning yellow.
"Get in the car, Mr. Lennox," he said.
Adrian gulped.
There was never outrunning wolves, especially not in his beat-up state.
"Okay..." he nodded.
Slowly, he got into the back seat that was held out by the familiar man. The door was shut with a dreadful finality.
His heart lurched up his throat as the car zoomed off into the unknown.
Hopefully, this wasn't the end.
