Chapter 220

220
Russell flicked the ash from his cigarette , extinguished it , and tossed it into the trash slot , the lid opened automatically , swallowed the stub , Ben snapped shut with a metallic click .
“ Bring the Cole Group under control , ” he said faily ,
Orlando pressed a button , clearing the air of smoke , and sighed . “ That’s quite an assignment you’ve handed me ?”
Russell looked at him coolly , “You saying you can’t handle it ? ”
That icy aura nearly knocked Orlando back . He grilled his teeth , stubbornness flashing in his eyes . “ I can handle it . ”
The car fell silent for a moment , until the bodygused in the front seat announced , ” ‘ ve secured the house at Mayen Garden , Are we moving everyone
ther now ? ”
Russell nodded . “ Yes ”
Overhearing , Orlando shot him a sidelong glance . “ Moving to Mayen Garden … that for her ? ”
Russellifted his game , a chill settling over his features , his eyes suddenly sharp and dangerous .
Orlando looked away , took a sip of whiskey , and continued , “ I wouldn’t trust everything the Solemnity Guild says . I know White Fox – he holds her in very high regard . Maybe they’re just using us to get rid of her .”
“ I know , ” Russell replied , a thin , cold smile twisting his lips . “ But don’t kid yourself . She’s far from innocent . ”
Orlando nodded in understanding “ I get it . Better to kill a thousand by mistake than let one slip through . If the Solemnity Guild needs to be destroyed , she goes down with them . ”
The car window was still cracked , letting in a rush of cold wind that slapped across their laces . Orlando closed the window , glanced at his buzzing phone , and began teating . “ Owen’s agreed to take the case , He’s set a meeting for four o’clock . ”
Russell reached into a drawer , retrieved a battered old watch , and ran his thumb gently across the scratched glass .
Let Starmon Films know , he said quietly
Aureus Club sat in the city center , a social hub for the wealthy and powerful
Even in the middle of the afternoon , it was packed .
Music pounded like mortar shells , neon lights flashed , darling and disorienting .
Down one corridor , Dawson led Vanessa toward a private suite .
Watching her tense expression , he tried persuasion . Look , I know you’re friends with Aria , but even she can’t afford to cross these people .
Vanessa frowned . “ That serious ? ”
Dawson said , “ He’s a big shot in Masmubia – conected to both the underworld and the upper crust . if you work with his people , the resources never
stop coming ”
Someone at his level could never normally cross paths with that kind of powerhouse , it was only pure luck that he’d bumped into the man on a light back to Huthaila . He’d just started a conversation about the local culture , and that was enough to earn a tiny connection .
That was all Dawson explained , but the look on his face told Vanessa everything she needed to know – whoever was coming , he wasn’t someone to take
1/2
220
lightly . “ Why me , though ? ” she pressed , reading his mood .
Dawson lowered his voice . “ I asked around . Apparently , he likes women with your kind of fire . Don’t worry , it’s just drinks , nothing else Idne get dragged into anything more – I’d never dare cross Ms , Saxon
And he meant it . Aria was the sort who acted on instinct and never cared about the consequences . If he let anything happen to her friend tonight ,
tear him apart .
He gave Vanessa a warning . “ Oh , and the Cole family’s long lost son , Orlando , will be there too . Don’t take out your feelings about Aria on him . ”
Vanessa blinked in surprise . “ Liam’s brother ? ”
AD
Comment