Mr Pecker (I can't even think of calling him Al, no matter how many times he tells me too) smiles.
It isn't a warm smile.
It makes me think of a shark, or maybe a wolf.
All teeth and hunger.
He reaches down to a drawer in his desk and pulls out an envelope. He pushes it across the desk.
"Your ticket out of here," he says, the smile dropping from his face. I hesitate and then grab the envelope. It isn't sealed. I open it. Inside is what looks like a cryptocurrency address and a plane ticket.
It is one way, I notice. And there is only one.
"I love my daughter," Mr Pecker says. "And I think she can do a lot better than you. So, here is your chance. There are 10 bitcoins in that wallet. And that ticket will get you to the other side of the world. You can start fresh. We all can."
I swallow hard, and close the envelope. I push it back towards him.
"Mr Pecker," I say, quietly. "I love your daughter too. I can't imagine living a day without her, let alone the rest of my life. I can't except you offer. No matter how generous."
...