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Chapter 76
Michael walked over calmly and took the seat across from him without being invited. “You know,” He began casually, “A text would’ve worked. This isn’t the middle ages.” Richard huffed. “I don’t trust phones.” Michael leaned back. “Then you must live in constant fear.” Richard ignored that. He reached into his coat and pulled out a revolver, aiming it directly at Michael’s chest. Michael didn’t flinch. “Who are you?” Richard snapped. “And why does Monica seem to trust you?” Michael glanced at the gun, unimpressed. “Because I’m not a jerk.” Richard laughed, sharp and humorless. “Everything I do, I do for Monica. Even if she hates me for it.” “That’s where you’re wrong.” Michael leaned forward. “Protection without trust isn’t protection. It’s control.” Richard’s eyes narrowed. “You think you understand her?” “I think that you don’t.” Silence stretched between them. Richard’s grip tightened on the gun. “Did Lionel send you?” Michael’s attention sharpened instantly. He met Ric
Chapter 75
The day came quickly. Michael didn’t wait for the sun to rise fully before moving. He was already dressed when he stopped by Barry’s room and knocked once. “Barry. Up.” A groan came from inside. “Man… it’s barely morning.” Michael opened the door anyway. “I need you to look into someone. Now.” That got Barry sitting up. “That serious?” “Yes.” Michael crossed his arms. “The name is Lionel. Connected to the Rivera family. Past or present, I don’t care which. I want everything.” Barry rubbed his face, already waking up fully. “Lionel Rivera?” “Not sure…” Michael said. “Could be a former associate. Could be something buried. But when Richard said the name last night, Monica froze. That wasn’t nothing.” Barry nodded slowly. “Alright. I’ll dig.” “Dig deep.” Michael added. “If it exists, I want it. If it doesn’t, then I want to know why.” Barry swung his legs off the bed. “Give me the day.” “That’s all you get.” Michael said, then turned and left. The hours dragged. Michael tr
Chapter 74
The warmth of the jazz club wrapped around them the moment they stepped back inside, a sharp contrast to the biting cold they had just escaped. The music, which had stopped abruptly earlier, slowly resumed, soft piano keys first, then the low murmur of a bass. Conversations followed, not fully loud, not fully quiet either. As Michael and Monica walked in, heads subtly turned. “Oh that's him. Is he back?” someone whispered near the bar. “He doesn't seem like someone who just fought, do you think he paid them not to beat him up?” Another voice murmured. “He probably begged.” “That’s not true.” A sharp voice hushly cut through the conversation. “I went outside through the back exit. He really beat those men.” “Really?” Someone asked in disbelief. “Yes, he was about to deliver the finishing blow when Ms. Rivera came. It was truly a marvelous sight.” Monica felt the tension but didn’t acknowledge it. Her hand remained looped around Michael’s arm, not because she needed the supp
Chapter 73
Monica ran into the snow in worry, looking side to side as the cold bit at her cheeks. Her breath came out in small clouds, each one trembling with unease. Zeus meowed softly at her feet, weaving around her ankles as if sensing her distress. She quickly bent down, scooped him up and tucked him securely beneath her coat, then wrapped the thick fabric around his small body. “Feeling better, Zeus?” She whispered, pressing her cheek briefly against his head. His purr vibrated faintly against her chest, a small way of comforting her outside the club. Her eyes kept searching. The alleyways around the jazz club were narrow and poorly lit, snow piling up against brick walls and metal dumpsters. The music from inside was now muffled, almost distant, replaced by the eerie quiet of the night. Monica’s heart thudded painfully as fear crept in. She took a cautious step forward, then another. Then she heard it. A loud groan, raw and full of pain, echoed from somewhere nearby. Her head snapp
Chapter 72
The men laughed harshly, the sound scraping against the refined quiet of the club. One of them leaned forward, resting both hands on the table as he stared Michael down, eyes bloodshot and gleaming with threat. “You got two options, pretty boy,” He said slowly. “You walk back to your seat right now and pretend none of this happened, or we beat you into a pulp right here and use your teeth as decoration for this place.” A murmur rippled through the room. Someone sucked in a sharp breath. Others shifted uncomfortably, torn between fear and morbid curiosity. “Who is that fellow?” Someone asked, a woman sitting in the corner with a female partner. “I don't know but he seems to be overly confident.” The other replied. “I would really love to speak to him after.” “He could just be another proud fool. Let's wait for the outcome of this confrontation.” ‘Oh you're right.” Michael didn’t move. He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t even change his expression. He simply sighed, “If you’r
Chapter 71
Michael returned the cat gently to Monica’s lap. It settled immediately, curling against her. Monica let out a quiet laugh, the sound soft and genuine kind, and looked up at him with appreciation in her eyes. “Thank you.” She said, “He usually doesn’t chase things like that. Guess the music wasn’t exciting enough for him tonight.” Michael smiled faintly. “Jazz has a way of sneaking up on you. It doesn’t demand attention. It waits until you’re ready to listen.” Her brows lifted slightly, surprised. “That’s… actually a very good way to put it.” She glanced toward the stage, where the band was easing into a slower tune again. “Most people think it’s just background noise.” Michael added calmly, “That’s because they’re listening for noise. Not conversation.” Monica studied him for a moment, curiosity replacing her initial caution. “You sound like someone who knows jazz.” “I’ve been learning.” He admitted, “There’s a lot more to it than people give it credit for.” She was pleased
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