lculated

gging his frame like armor. But inside, his mind swirled. Jane was growing bolder. He

n't anyone's pa

Her form-fitting dress was deliberate-strategically designed to unnerve. She leaned on the reception d

s," she purred, a

pression unrea

Her perfume clung to the air-a heady, musky scent that he

t my request?" she ask

-caught him on camera in his office, touching himself after a particularly stressful night and a drink too m

leaked. She hadn't even had to say it. It was in h

," Ben replied smooth

ng smirk. "Don't take too long. O

slightly. "I'd be ca

row a

whisper. "The higher you clim

s heart beat steadily, but his jaw clenched wh

she had th

ow who she wa

ble Life Be

low across the room. Frank sat quietly, his notepad open, pen poised. Laz

, we can reroute offshore dividends through our partner bank in Mel

ded. "I u

n. "Not a word to anyone-not Sha

pression neutral.

again in his jack

d pouring himself a small glass of Glenfidd

Laz trusted him-and that

nk stepped outside, exhalin

Number:

he screen. His handler was gro

through Melbourne. Wants it k

dots

et me names of partner b

of the deal. Full access meant crossing a

y. He's watching th

"Do it. Or you'l

iped the logs, and slid the phone back in his po

back at

only man who had ev

e noose was

Walks on

ced through half-drawn blinds. The sheets were tangled.

one blonde, one redhead. He

os. He reached for the bottle of water by the bed and t

at the sc

wo seconds later

lins muttered, a

up," came th

the edge of the bed. "Relax.

ipped. "If I don't see movement today, I s

reaten me

llins. I collect. You

all e

ll-time thug. He was dangerous. The kind of ma

on his face. His reflection stared back at him-bloodsho

ed mone

e company was on lockdown. And his last investor had

, an

contacts. There was someone who owed him a fav

dia

hen she picked up. "How abou

a lon

s had surv

had a card u

Secret

Tomiwa, his right-hand man. The security expert

this?" B

u were right. She's been involved in similar incidents-

ancial records. One caught his eye-a trans

eatened

lub in the end," Tomiwa co

"Good. Keep digging

You sure you don't

She thinks she's manipulating

he foo

said coldly. "And wh

e window, watching the

me had

f them would w