Abe crosses his arms over his enormous chest as an expression of pure pleasure spreads across his face. I realize that he’s been anticipating my question and looking forward to it since before I entered this hallway.

I brace my shoulders. Anything Abe looks forward to isn’t a good thing.

“We’ve been looking at our records,” Abe says slowly, drawing out the moment, “and we’ve come to the realization that you’ve only been making the bare minimum payments since you took out the loan.”

“But I’ve been diligent about making those payments on time and I’ve never shorted you!” I refuse to think about the one time I hadn’t had enough cash to make my monthly payment. There’s no point in bringing it up now.

“And those payments haven’t even kept up with the interest,” Abe points out, all but rubbing his hands together and jumping up and down with delight. “Dad and me, we know you needed the money to support your little girl, it’s an honorable cause, we know that, but you have to understand, as much as we want to help you out, we’re not a charitable organization.”

As if I’d ever make the mistake of thinking that.

“We can’t afford to keep hemorrhaging.” He stumbles a little over the word, like he’s sounding it out. I’m astounded that Abe knows such a big word. Then again, maybe this isn’t his little speech. Maybe his dad or someone else, someone who’s actually read a book or two in their lifetime, wrote it for him. “And right now, that’s what we’re doing. It has to stop. So, me and Dad talked about it and we came up with a new payment plan for you.”

I thread my fingers together in a desperate attempt to hide the way they’re shaking. “What new plan?”

“We decided that in order to stay on our good side, you’re going to have to give us thirty-six hundred every single month.”

I reel backwards, only to be brought up short by the hallway wall. I press my shoulders to it, needing it since there’s no way in hell my knees can support me. “Thirty-six hundred dollars,” I repeat. I struggle to wrap my mind around the figure.

Abe nods, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. Good to know my reaction is pleasing him. “That’s right.”

I gulp some air. “Starting when?”

“With this next payment,” Abe says, confirming my worst fears. “Which is due Friday. The day after tomorrow.” He really didn’t have to add that last part. I know exactly what day it is today and when Friday will roll around. It happens every week.

Black spots dance in front of my eyes. I struggle to ignore them. “That’s a fifty percent increase,” I whisper. My voice sounds like it’s coming from a long, long way away. “That’s not fair.”

Abe shrugs his massive shoulders. “Don’t like it? Call the cops. See what they have to say.” He tilts his head to one side. His eyes glitter with an unholy light. “I’m sure they’ll be very interested in some of the things you did for the organization a few years ago.”

And just like that he reminds me exactly how alone I am in this situation. Desperate for money, I went to the wrong people and started operating beyond the reach of the law, and while that wasn’t strictly illegal, the same couldn’t be said about everything I’ve done.

Abe has me squarely over a barrel and he knows it. Even worse, he’s loving every second of it.

He leans close, so close his lips are a whisper away from brushing my skin and there’s nothing I can do about it. His sour breath washes over my face, and still he keeps coming closer, mashing me between his body and the wall. There’s nothing I can do to stop him.

“If you don’t have the money, you should come to me, and we’ll talk about it. There’s some things you can do to work off your debt.”

“Go. To. Hell.” I force the words out, and am pleased that they sound firm and don’t bely the way all my internal organs have turned to jelly.

Abe isn’t put off by my words. He chuckles and leans even closer, and kisses the corner of my mouth. Cringing, I avert my face, which only encourages him to lick a slimy trail along my jaw and up to my ear.

“I think you’ll find that my idea for an alternative source of payment is a great deal easier than whatever you try to do to earn the money at your little call center job.” One of his thick hands finds my ass and squeezes my cheek. I yelp and try to press myself through the hallway wall. Anything to escape his touch.

“Just make sure you come to me, not my dad. I’ll make sure the work you do is…pleasant and mutually beneficial.” With one more ass squeeze he backs away and his grinning pair of goons follow him into the elevator.