"So, what do we do?" Frank asked."We watch," Max said, his voice calm but firm. "We keep a very close eye on Benson. Every meeting, every phone call, every directive. And we keep an even closer eye on the Beckers. See how they react. See if they make any desperate moves. Because if Benson is working for Gonzalez, and he's targeting the Beckers, it's only a matter of time before he comes for us."He walked back to his desk, picking up a report, his fingers tracing the lines of text. "This whole situation... it's a powder keg. Benson is playing with fire, and the Beckers are about to explode. We need to be ready for the fallout. And we need to figure out what Gonzalez has on Benson. That's the key. If we know what's holding Benson, we might be able to turn this around.""I'll put our best people on it, Max," Frank assured him.Max nodded, his gaze distant. "It's the Mayor. He's selling someone out. And I have a bad feeling it's the Beckers. Which means, we might be next."***In a diml

Bobby closed his eyes, a heavy weight settling in his chest. "Alright, Tommy. Send for Lena. But if this goes wrong...""It won't," Tommy said, his voice grim. "It can't. This is our last shot, Bobby. Our only shot."***Lena arrived at Tommy's office an hour later, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. The atmosphere was heavy, thick with tension. Tommy's face was pale, his eyes bloodshot, and Bobby looked like he hadn't slept in days."Lena, thank you for coming so quickly," Tommy said, his voice devoid of its usual bluster. He gestured to a chair opposite his desk. "Have a seat."She sat, her posture straight, her expression neutral. "What's happened, Boss? I've been hearing whispers.""Whispers don't even begin to cover it, Lena," Tommy said, his voice low and dangerous. "We're under attack. A full-scale assault. The feds, the city, they're all coming down on us. Our businesses are being shut down, our accounts frozen, our people arrested.""I heard about the warehouse," Len

She watched him, trying to gauge his reaction. He listened intently, his eyes sharp, his mind clearly working through the possibilities. He was so focused, so trusting."And what's this 'specific way of doing business'?" Max asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Does he want to meet in a steam room? Or perhaps a boxing ring?"Lena forced a small, tight smile. "Something like that. He's a bit superstitious. He believes in sealing deals with a toast, using a special blend of herbal tea he prepares himself. He says it's a test of trust, a way to show commitment.""Herbal tea, huh?" Max raised an eyebrow. "Sounds a little quirky, even for this city. But if the numbers are good, I'm open to quirky. So, you've tried this tea?""I have," Lena lied, her voice barely a whisper. "It's... an acquired taste. But the opportunity is immense, Max. It could solidify your position in the digital market, give you an edge no one else has.""And he wants me to try it before he even discusses terms?"

The secure house was quiet, the silence broken only by the hum of the ventilation system. Lena sat on a plush sofa, a blanket wrapped around her, a cup of warm tea untouched on the table before her. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face pale. Frank, Max’s most trusted security man, stood by the door, a silent, imposing presence.Max walked in, his expression serious but calm. He dismissed Frank with a nod, and the door clicked shut, leaving them alone. He sat in the armchair opposite Lena, leaning forward, his gaze steady."Are you alright, Lena?" he asked, his voice softer than it had been in his office.She looked up, startled, as if she’d forgotten he was coming back. "As alright as I can be, Max. Thank you. For... for everything.""You're safe here," he assured her. "No one knows about this place but a handful of my people. They're loyal." He paused, then picked up the untouched tea cup. "Drink your tea. It'll help."She took a small sip, the warmth a welcome comfort against the chil

The secure meeting room in Max’s hidden compound was stark, functional. A large map of the city covered one wall, dotted with pins and lines that represented territories and connections. Max, Ronald, and Bucky sat around a polished steel table, the air thick with unspoken tension and the smell of strong coffee. Max had barely slept, his mind racing with the implications of Lena's confession. The fate of his city, and perhaps his own future, now hinged on how he played his next hand."So, let's go over it again," Max said, leaning forward, his gaze sweeping over his two most trusted men. His voice was low, controlled, but carried an undeniable weight. "Lena's information is gold. Pure, unadulterated gold. But we can't use it directly. Not yet. We can't let the Beckers know we have her, or that she's talking. If they even suspect she's with us, they'll go nuclear."Bucky, always the pragmatist, nodded, his expression grim. "If they even suspect she's with us, they'll go nuclear. And if