Peggy was even bolder. She shoved me hard in the chest. "Get lost. My daughter is carrying Alex's baby now."
"From here on out, she'll be living the high life. Never has to look at your pathetic face again."
I couldn't be bothered with them. I turned and walked away.
Alex gave Adeline's waist a squeeze, then pulled out his phone. "Grand Oceanic Hotel. I need a table for a celebration dinner tonight at seven."
"Your finest prix fixe. And two bottles of the '82 Lafite."
He raised his voice on purpose, making sure every word carried to my ears.
After he hung up, Alex grinned. "Hey, Ronald. We're throwing a little party tonight. Want to join us?"
I drew a slow breath, turned my head, and looked him dead in the eye. "Get lost."
Adeline giggled, clinging to Alex's arm. "Don't tease the fool, babe. He's a hundred million in the hole. He wouldn't dare show his face anywhere."
"Probably won't make it through the night. Some collector will catch up to him and leave him dead in the gutter."
Peggy spat on the ground. "Good riddance. That's karma."
Right then, a crowd surged up behind us.
At the front was a hulking, shaved-headed man named Bruno, trailed by seven or eight guys covered in tattoos.
Bruno peeled off his jacket and bellowed, "You owe money, you pay up. That's how the world works!"
Adeline and Alex flinched at the sudden roar.
Peggy spotted the collectors and whipped out the divorce agreement. "He's already divorced from my daughter. Kill him, gut him, do whatever you want. It's got nothing to do with us."
Bruno looked baffled. He jerked his chin at the men behind him, signaling them to bring someone forward. "Why don't you take a look for yourself and point out which ones are your people?"
Tim was dragged in, his face a mess of bruises—purple and swollen—and he was screaming like a stuck pig. "Mom! Sis! Brother-in-law, save me!"
"I owe them a hundred million dollars! If I don't pay up today, they're taking me!"
