Chapter 360James dropped onto the worn leather sofa in Gregor’s dimly lit apartment, stretching out as though trying to shake off the weight of the day.The tension in the air was thick as he thought about the risky move they’d made. “So, they bought it?” Gregor’s voice was low and tense as he crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall.“Yeah, they did,” James replied with a nod. “The way they responded, it was clear they thought it was really Ben on the other end.” He ran a hand over his face, exhaling, before letting his head drop back against the sofa cushion. “Has he eaten today?”Gregor’s expression softened slightly. “Yeah, I got him some pasta with grilled chicken and vegetables,” he replied, nodding toward a mostly empty takeout container on the small table nearby.He moved to the door, turning the lock with a quiet click before he walked back toward the center of the room, his gaze distant. James shrugged off his jacket, tossing it over the arm of the sofa, while Gregor

Chapter 362Kai stepped off the plane at Red Waters International Airport, the cold evening breeze hitting his face as he adjusted his grip on the briefcase he carried. The air smelled different here—heavier, somehow. It carried a hint of salt from the nearby coast and an edge of grit that hinted at the city’s rougher reputation.He took a breath, pushing away a flicker of doubt. This was no place to let his guard down, especially since his goal was Scarface—a man few approached and even fewer dared to confront.He flagged down a taxi and slid into the backseat, keeping his briefcase close. As the car pulled away from the airport and merged into the main streets, his gaze drifted out the window, absorbing the city of Red Waters.The skyline was industrial, dominated by rows of aging warehouses and smokestacks. It wasn’t like Emerald Falls, with its sleek glass buildings and polished streets. Here, the buildings wore years of neglect openly, their walls stained with grime, graffiti, an

Chapter 364Kai returned to his room, settling onto the edge of the bed as he replayed the encounter with the manager in his head. An idea began to form, lighting up his thoughts with a flash of inspiration.What if he could use the girl as bait, he might draw out Scarface’s men or other gang members. They’d probably be less on guard around her, and it could be the perfect opportunity to gather intel without raising suspicion.Acting on the idea immediately, Kai sprang up and hurried out the door, making his way downstairs. As he entered the lobby, he approached the receptionist, a stern-looking woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense air about her.“I need to speak to the manager,” he said, trying to keep his tone calm but urgent.The receptionist held his gaze for a moment before sighing and jerking her thumb toward the far corner of the lobby. “He’s over there,” she said bluntly, her voice devoid of any warmth. “Try not to waste his time.”Kai nodded his thanks and followed her ges

Chapter 366Back in his room, Kai locked the door, his mind already drifting to the task ahead.He glanced at the petite girl as she sat down on the edge of the chair, her posture tense, hands clasped nervously in her lap. She looked as though she might break into pieces if the wrong words were said.And It didn’t take a genius like kai Nakamura to see she was probably new to this line of work. Well, that’s her business, not mine, he thought, dismissing the idea.He checked his watch—still just past 8 PM. Two more hours to kill before he’d be heading out into the murky depths of Red Waters, the part of town where danger was a fact of life. The information he needed would be there, and he’d be ready.He was pulled from his thoughts when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. The girl had stood up, her movements hesitant yet intentional. She leaned in closer, her fingertips brushing his arm with a tentative softness as she attempted to meet his eyes. Her gaze was almost pleading, her li

Chapter 368It was around 10 p.m. when Kai and Lina stepped out of the hotel room. The quiet hum of the hotel lobby seemed to grow louder as they walked through it, and the chatter of the few remaining patrons began to swell.All eyes turned toward them as they moved across the floor. Some guests who had witnessed the earlier commotion, the fight between Kai and the fierce looking man, exchanged glances and whispers.They assumed they had just finished with their assumptions based on the earlier tension. The couple’s appearance in the lobby, with the air of quiet finality around them, made it clear what they thought had occurred. Whispers of “finished already?” and “how was it?” echoed through the room.The manager, Mr. Wibblebottom, was quick to notice them. His burly frame loomed large as he scurried across the lobby, a wide grin on his face. He moved with a sense of eagerness, his eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and business-minded anticipation.“How was the sex? Did she