Tomorrow. I’ll do it tomorrow.
I grab my things from the locker just as Brooke walks in. “Leaving?”
I’m changing into my day clothes as I glance at her. “Don’t tell me we have another emergency.”
She grins, opening her locker. “No. But could you give me a ride? My brother was supposed to pick me up, but he’s not answering his phone. I think he might have fallen asleep.”
Brooke lives in the same neighborhood as me, so I nod. “Sure. If you buy me dinner.”
“Don’t you mean breakfast?” She chortles. “Let’s get something at the diner down the street. My stomach will thank you.”
I pull on my jacket before saying, “I’ll wait for you by the car.”
The hospital’s parking lot is open air, but at this time of the morning, it’s still dark. It doesn’t help that there are only a handful of fully functioning streetlights. I hate the dark. I always have. My footsteps echo against concrete as I drag my feet. Most of the hospital staff parked closer to the entrance, but arriving late for my shift meant parking in the back section. My beat-up Honda sits alone under a flickering light, looking as exhausted as I feel.
I’ve just reached my car when I hear footsteps behind me.
Not one set. Multiple.
I turn slowly, my heart suddenly pounding against my ribs.
Three men emerge from the shadows between the parked cars. They’re big, all of them, with the kind of bulk that comes from either the gym or violence. Probably both. The one in the middle has a scar running down his cheek, disappearing into his collar. I recognize him instantly, and my heart sinks.
“Miranda.” The one with the scar smiles at me. “We’ve been waiting here for hours.”
My hand tightens around my keys, threading them between my fingers like claws. “Why? What are you doing at my workplace?”
He takes a step closer. “You’ve been dodging our calls.”
Yeah because talking to debt collectors is not my idea of a good time.
Fear spikes through me, cold and sharp. “I’ve made every payment on time for the last three months. I just missed one, and I’ll make it tomorrow when I get paid.”
“Your payments aren’t enough.” Another step. “Our employer wants the full amount. Now.”
“That’s not how payment plans work.” My voice shakes, but I force steel into it. “I have an agreement. Monthly installments.”
Scarface smiles, and it’s the kind of smile that makes my blood run cold. “See, that’s the thing. Mr. Kozlov doesn’t care about your little agreement anymore. He’s decided to renegotiate the terms.”
“Renegotiate?” The word has my stomach in knots. “What does that mean?”
“It means he’s willing to forgive the entire debt.” He takes another step, close enough now that the others flank me on either side. “All of it. Every penny. In exchange for a different kind of payment.”
The implication hits me like ice water.
“No.” The word is torn from me fiercely.
“You haven’t even heard the offer.”
“I don’t need to.” My shoulders hit the concrete pillar behind me as I back up. “Tell your boss the answer is no. I’ll pay what I owe, but I’ll do it the way we agreed.”
“Mr. Kozlov doesn’t like being told no.” Scarface’s voice drops dangerously. “Especially not by some broke little nurse who should be grateful for his generosity.”
“Generosity?” A bitter laugh escapes me. “Charging three times the interest rate and sending thugs to parking lots? That’s not generosity. That’s extortion.”
“Careful.” His eyes go cold. “You’re not in a position to make demands. Or judgments.”
“And you’re not in a position to change the terms of a legal contract.” My hands are shaking now, keys biting into my palm.“I’ll make my payment on the first like always. If your boss has a problem with that, he can take it up with my lawyer.”