The contract lay on Nevermore Addams' mahogany desk like a death sentence. Seven million dollars in gambling debts. The numbers blurred as he stared at them, his hands shaking.
"You have twenty-four hours," Viktor Kozlov said from across the room. The Russian's voice was calm, but his eyes promised violence. "Pay, or we take collateral."
Nevermore looked at the photos Viktor had spread across his desk. His mother. His sister. Mornica.
"I need more time," Nevermore said.
"Time is expensive. Seven million plus interest now makes it ten million." Viktor smiled. "Unless you have something else to offer."
The door burst open. Charlotte Don walked in wearing a red dress that cost more than most people's cars. She looked at Viktor, then at Nevermore.
"I have a solution," Charlotte said. She pulled out her phone and showed Viktor a photo. "The girl is worth five million. Clean, young, educated. Your clients in Germany will pay premium prices."
Nevermore's blood turned to ice. The photo was of Mornica sleeping in his bed from last night.
"Charlotte, what are you doing?"
"Saving your pathetic life," she snapped. "You owe me this much. I've been waiting two years for you to propose, and you waste time with that construction worker's daughter."
Viktor studied the photo. "She is beautiful. But five million is not ten million."
"She's pregnant," Charlotte added. "Three months. Your clients pay double for pregnant women."
The words hit Nevermore like a truck. Pregnant? Mornica hadn't told him.
"Six million for the girl," Viktor said. "You still owe four million."
"Take my cars, my watches, my art collection," Nevermore said desperately. "Everything I own."
"Done." Viktor snapped his fingers. Two men entered the room. "Bring the girl."
"No, wait—"
"Sign the contract, Nevermore," Charlotte said. "Or Viktor's men will kill your mother tonight."
Nevermore's hands trembled as he picked up the pen. This wasn't real. This couldn't be happening.
The door opened again. Mornica walked in carrying coffee and sandwiches. She wore one of his shirts and jeans, her dark hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. She looked so young, so trusting.
"I brought lunch," she said, then stopped. She saw Viktor's men. "Nevermore? What's going on?"
"Just business, sweetheart," he managed to say.
Mornica set down the food and walked to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder. "You look pale. Are you okay?"
The pregnancy was barely showing, but now that Charlotte had mentioned it, he could see the slight curve of her belly. His child was growing inside her.
"Mr. Addams," Viktor said impatiently. "Sign."
Charlotte moved behind Mornica. "She really is pretty. Shame she's so stupid."
"What did you say?" Mornica turned around.
Charlotte nodded to Viktor's men. They grabbed Mornica's arms.
"Nevermore!" Mornica struggled against them. "What's happening? Help me!"
"Sign the contract," Charlotte said coldly. "Now."
Nevermore looked at Mornica's terrified face. At her stomach where his child grew. At his mother's photo on the desk.
He signed.
"Excellent," Viktor said, taking the contract. "The girl comes with us now."
"Nevermore, please!" Mornica screamed as the men dragged her toward the door. "Don't let them take me! I love you!"
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"NEVERMORE!" Her voice echoed through the hallway as they pulled her away.
Charlotte straightened her dress. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Nevermore stared at the closed door. He could still hear Mornica screaming his name from somewhere in the building.
"The debt is settled," Viktor said. "Pleasure doing business."
After they left, Nevermore sat alone in his office. The coffee Mornica had brought was still warm. The sandwiches were cut the way he liked them, crusts removed.
His phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: "Package delivered to cargo ship. Destination: Berlin. Thank you for your business."
Nevermore dropped the phone. He had just sold the woman he loved and his unborn child to human traffickers.
The silence in his office was deafening.
Outside, a cargo ship's horn echoed across Charleston Harbor.