Jacob's people handed me the phone as instructed.
The moment I got it, I called my friend and told him to get the money here within thirty minutes.
Time slipped away, second by second. Ten minutes left.
Jacob couldn't wait any longer. He stood up.
"I must be an idiot to believe this guy. His so-called friend is going to show up with the cash? Please."
"Exactly! He's just stalling."
"Manager, have your boys break his hands and feet already. No one's stupid enough to cross the Galloway family for this loser. Stop wasting time."
As the manager and his security guards closed in with murder in their eyes, I raised my hand to stop them.
"Hold on. I've still got ten minutes."
"When those ten minutes are up, someone will be here with the money."
"Bullshit. When those ten minutes are up—hell, I'll give you an extra ten—if no one shows, I'll bite down on a piece of meat and crawl out of here on all fours like a dog."
My eyes lit up. "You said it. Remember that."
"Yeah, I said it. So what? Everyone here is my witness."
The room erupted again. "Ha! This is too good. I don't even want to go home anymore."
"Who knew dinner would come with a show like this?"
The ten minutes were almost up. One of the wealthy women couldn't wait—she reached over and ran her hand across my chest.
"Don't touch me!"
I slapped her hand away.
"Ooh, those pecs, that body. I didn't even need to touch to know. Very nice." She turned to Leila. "Ms. Galloway, why don't you just give him to me?"
Leila laughed and drained her wine glass, admiring her fresh manicure. "Why not? If he can't pay, you're all welcome to do whatever you want with him."
"Ha! Then I'm going first."
Everyone was certain I couldn't pay. They stopped caring about my consent and started grabbing at me.
My voice dropped to ice. I wanted to kill someone. But the woman didn't give a damn about the threat in my eyes.
Jacob shot a mocking look at Leila's bodyguards. "Hold him down. Pin him so these ladies can have their fun."
"Yes, sir!"
The bodyguards swarmed me, surrounding me completely.
I looked at Leila. My heart went cold.
We were still technically married. And here she was, letting other women grope me. She was humiliating herself as much as me.
She didn't care. "Stop looking at me like that. I'm not helping you."
"I just want Jacob to feel better."
With Leila's blessing, the women grew bolder.
"Come with me, handsome!"
"I've got money, sweetie. I can pay your bill for you!"
"No, no—come with me. I'm prettier than her."
They ordered the guards to hold me down while they tore at my clothes.
I struggled with everything I had. The men in the room burst out laughing.
I memorized every one of their faces. "You think this is funny? In a few minutes, you'll be the joke."
"And you." I looked at Jacob.
He spat at me. "Strip him. Time's up. No more stalling—"
He didn't finish.
The doors flew open. A squad of men in black suits stormed in, moving with military precision. They took down the guards surrounding me one by one.
Then came Gavin Mercer—the most powerful bank executive in Capital City. He strode in carrying a briefcase, his face carved with an intensity that could freeze the room.
"Mr. Dickerson, I've brought the money for you. Glad I wasn't late!"
