His deadly obsession
he started, his voice faltering, "but I've gotten myself into a dire situation. I've incurred a debt with a man, a dangerous one, and... and there have been threats made against our lives."
Elena's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing to make sense of the words. "Threats? Father, who is this man? What kind of debt are we talking about?"
Elena's father hesitated, his gaze dropping to the letter. "His name is Marco Moretti. He's a powerful figure, and I owe him a substantial amount of money. I fear for our lives, Elena. For yours and your brother's."
"Elena, I'm thinking of offering you to the crime boss in exchange for our lives."