I never thought my life would end up like this.

I’d always been the guy with the big smile and the even bigger mouth. The one who could talk his way out of anything. One more big win, one more ‘sure thing’ and I’d finally be on top. That’s what I told myself every single time I sat down at the table.

But this time, I knew I had gone way too far.

The underground casino owned by Ace Moretti had been my playground for weeks. I’d won some, but I’d lost a lot more. Then I started borrowing on credit. When that wasn’t enough, I did the stupidest thing I could have done. I dropped Peter’s name as collateral, swearing he’d cover me if things went south.

Now I was paying for it.

Two of Ace’s men had grabbed me the moment I tried to leave the casino. They dragged me into the back of a black SUV, cuffed my hands and drove me to Ace’s private residence without saying a word.

When they pushed me into the large, luxurious office, my heart nearly stopped.

Peter was already there.

He looked completely different from the friend I remembered. I hadn’t seen him in ages. Not since he stopped answering my texts and calls after I set him up and handed him over to Ace and his men. Still, Peter looked great. He looked as if he had landed on his feet, no matter what I had done to him. The expensive clothes he wore fit him perfectly, and his posture was straight and confident. Standing beside Ace, Peter looked like he actually belonged there. Calm, composed and strangely at peace.

The gang lord himself, Ace Moretti, sat behind a large desk, looking every bit the dangerous man he was. His henchman, Kane, stood off to the side with his arms crossed, watching me with cold amusement as if he had expected this outcome.

“Steven,” Peter said. His voice was quiet. Almost tired.

I tried to sound hopeful, desperate.

“Peter. Thank god you’re here. I fucked up bad this time. Really bad. But I can fix it. I swear. Just talk to them for me. Please, man. We’ve been best friends since we were kids. You know I’d do the same for you.”

Peter looked at me for a long moment. There was no anger in his eyes. No pity. Just a cold, detached exhaustion that scared me more than anything else.

He turned to Ace and spoke without hesitation.

“It’s about time he worked off his own debt for once.”

The words hit me like a punch to the stomach.

I stared at him, stunned.

“Peter? What the fuck? You can’t be serious. After everything we’ve been through?”

Ace leaned back in his chair, a small, satisfied smile on his face.

“Peter has made his decision,” he said calmly. “And I agree with it.”

He nodded toward a tall, imposing man standing near the door. I froze when I recognised Damian Cross, one of his top lieutenants. I’d heard plenty about the man to fear him. He had a reputation for being ruthless but efficient.

“Damian will handle your repayment plan,” Ace continued. “You’ll be working off your debt at one of my clubs. You will provide full service with no limits. Until every cent is paid.”

I started panicking. I knew what that meant.