âMr. Carter, things went south with that shipment at the dock. The Higher-ups want explanations, and weâve got a guy who can lend a hand, and heâs not in it for cash.â
If money wasnât on the table, then the stakes were high.
Arnold nonchalantly continued with whatever he was fiddling with.
âSince thereâs an open door, why do you still ask me?â
The fact that this person wasnât asking for money meant that the situation was dire, and he needed aid in earnest.
âHeâs got a ten-year-old daughter. The problem is, her momâs got ties to the Russells. We donât want any mess,â Scar explained, casting a careful look at Josie.
She arched an eyebrow, signaling him to elaborate.
âWhatâs the wifeâs link with the Russells?â
âNo blood ties, just a loose connection. But the catch is that Dexter brought out the Russell network last night. Worried it might blow up in our faces, Scar shared cautiously.
So they were treading carefully.
Arnold glanced at Josie and said with a mocking tone, âOh? Why the sudden Russell network rollout?â
Scar carried on, âHeard itâs a manhunt.â
âSounds like itâs someone pretty darn important to him.â
Josieâs irritation grew with his constant reproach and sardonic gazes. She stood up abruptly, wanting fresh air, but a bodyguard blocked her path at the doorway.
Without looking at Arnold, she quipped, âIs this your idea of treating a guest?â
Arnold twiddled a ring on his finger and said casually, âArenât you curious about where Wyattâs hiding?â
âWhat can I do if you refuse to tell? Beat it out of you?â
Arnold grabbed a half-empty wine bottle and placed it before her, saying, âThis oneâs pretty mild. Down it, and Iâll let you in on the secret.â
Under the dim light, their eyes locked, each harboring their own motiyes despite the distance.
âI mean it.â
Josie grabbed the bottle of wine and drank it down.
However, drinking wasnât her game.
The fiery liquor scorched her throat, leaving tears prickling her eyes.
As she downed the drink, a cluster of intrigued eyes was fixed on her, their amused voices merging into a playful hubbub.