Chapter 7 Eager to Die

Krom froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Ha! You've got some nerve cracking jokes. Why would the Orens pay your debt? Who the hell do you think you are? You're trying to use the Orens to scare me, aren't you? You think I'm afraid?"

"No! That's not what I meant! I——"

Before Cody could finish, Krom swung his arm and slapped him hard across the face.

"Ah!" Cody yelped, five red finger marks instantly rising on his cheek.

"I'll say this one last time — hand over the money, or you're dead!"

Cody pressed his hand to his cheek and looked at Lillian with a pitiful expression. "Lillian, even now, you still won't budge? Do you have no heart at all?"

Lillian was about to speak when Krom's eyes landed on her. A sly grin spread across his face. "Well, well. Didn't know you had such a pretty woman living here. Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Cody took a moment to catch on. "What... what do you mean?"

Krom stretched lazily. "Hand this woman over to my bed, and we can work something out. Not just an extension — I might even waive the interest entirely."

Cody slapped his knee. "Of course! Why didn't I think of that!"

As far as he was concerned, since Lillian refused to marry into the Orens anyway, she might as well go with Krom. At least she'd be making herself useful one last time.

"Krom, meet my niece. Never been married, never even had a boyfriend. She'll treat you right!"

"Ha! Now we're talking!"

Lillian stepped back quickly. "What are you people trying to do? Don't you dare!"

Krom laughed. "Dare? I'm just trying to get a little closer to you! Honestly, you're exactly my type — way prettier than any of the women I've got. Come with me. Be a good girl, get in my bed, and I'll show you what it really means to be a woman."

One of his guys grinned from the side. "Boss, having her crawl into your bed is boring. Just take her right here!"

"Yeah, right in front of everyone. Tear her clothes off — just thinking about it gets me going!"

Krom nodded with approval. "Not bad. Looks like my training wasn't wasted on you. Don't worry — that's a solid idea, and I'll make sure to reward you. Once I'm done with her, she's all yours."

His men cheered. "Thanks, Boss!"

Darroch stepped forward, leaning on his cane, putting himself between Lillian and the men. "This is the Genovese home. You have no right to pull this here. Leave now, or I'm calling the police and making sure you pay for this!"

"The police?" Krom laughed loudly. "That's hilarious. You think we're scared of the police? Besides, collecting a debt is perfectly legal. Even if the cops showed up, we'd be in the right. As for you, old man — get out of my way, or don't blame me for what happens next."

Cody rushed over and yanked Darroch aside. "Father, have you lost your mind? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Darroch pointed at Lillian. "That's your niece! How can you just stand there and let this happen to her?"

Cody let out a sigh. "I already gave her the best option I could. She wouldn't take it. What am I supposed to do?"

Santos shook his head. "He's right. To protect the Genoveses, there's no other way. And this could actually work in our favor — we get in with the Elephant Gang, and we could be set for a hundred years."

"I don't care what you say. If you won't help her, I will!" Darroch tried to push forward, but Cody held him back.

Nearby, Arthur almost laughed — though not from amusement. These people were even more disgusting than he'd imagined. Like moldy sandwiches, the trash can was exactly where they belonged.

Meanwhile, Lillian had backed herself into a corner. Krom licked his lips. "Come on now. Big brother can't wait much longer."

"Stay away from me! Don't come near me!"

"Scream all you want — the louder the better. That's half the fun!" Krom reached out his filthy hand.

Then a sharp slap cracked through the air.

SMACK!

It was no light tap. The force spun Krom around in place three full times. He stood there clutching his swollen face, head ringing, completely dazed.

"What... what just happened? Who the hell hit me?"

He turned to find Arthur standing in front of Lillian. "The debt belongs to Cody, not Lillian. If you've got a problem, take it up with the right person. There's no reason to go after her."

"Who the hell are you? Where did you come from?" Krom roared.

"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is you need to back off — unless you want to regret this."

Arthur's voice was calm and flat.

Krom spat on the ground. "You son of a bitch! Playing hero? Looks like you've got a death wish. Get him!"

At his word, his men drew the blades from their waists. When more than a dozen cleavers caught the light all at once, Cody and the others scrambled back in a panic.

"Son, you can't fight them all. Run!" Darroch stared at Arthur, his face full of worry.

Cody quickly hushed him. "Father, keep it down! Don't drag us into this. This guy wants to be a hero? Let Krom deal with him."

The family members around them nodded along.

"Yeah, this is what happens when you try to play hero — you get chopped to pieces."

"He brought this on himself. Not our problem."

Lillian grabbed Arthur's arm. "Go — please. This is my mess, not yours."

Arthur said quietly, "You haven't signed the breakup agreement yet. Our engagement is still valid. How is this not my business?"

Lillian's expression shifted. "Forget the engagement. Just go — now!"

Krom slowly touched his swollen cheek. "Go? Nobody's going anywhere today. Boys — cut this bastard apart!"

"Yes, Boss!"

More than a dozen blades swung down toward Arthur's head at once.

Arthur moved Lillian behind him with one arm. Then a cold stillness came into his eyes.

If these guys were so eager to die, he was more than happy to oblige.