73.

Lily's POV

Ten thousand dollars echoed in my mind like a dreadful chant. I repeated the sum out loud, trying to grasp how my brother had become entangled in such a wicked web, and why I, his sister, remained oblivious to this debt.

How had he done it? And, perhaps most importantly, why?

I wanted to dismiss Ricardo's claim as blatant lies, but an unsettling truth lingered within me – a man like him had no reason to lie. He was Ricardo of the Gambino Italian family, after all. Why would he lie against my brother who was of no consequence to him?

My disbelief morphed into aghast realization as I finally looked up and asked the question lingering in my mind.

"How did my brother end up owing you such an outrageous amount?" The words stumbled out of my mouth, a mix of disbelief and dread. "How, tell me? What business did you have with him?"

Ricardo's sinister smile deepened, and he spoke as if unveiling a dark secret. "Oh, dear Lily. I thought you'd never ask."

He pushed his chair forward,