Inside his office.

Bernard slouched in his plush leather chair, puffing cigar smoke toward the ceiling like he owned the entire damn city-which, if you asked him, he practically did.

"Hey, Mr. Bernard," Viper began, voice laut. "Any chance that scrawny Kid confessed yet?"

Bernard snorted, a cruel grin twisting his jowls.

"Confess, not confess-doesn't make a damn bit of difference. That clueless little runt'll talk soon enough. They all break under pressure in the end."

Viper rubbed a hand over his mouth, "You sure? If I were you, I'd handle him quick. Things can get... unpredictable."

Bernard slammed his meaty fist on the desk, the thud echoing off the walls.

"You telling me how to run my station? My station. My rules. I call the shots here, and don't you dare forget it."

Viper raised both palms in surrender.

"Easy, Mr. Bernard, easy. I know you're the king around these parts. I just fear the Kid has someone big in his corner. Powerful folks poking their noses in your business can turn everything upside down."

Bernard let out a barking laugh that did nothing to soften his glare.

"They can line up and kiss my boots, for all I care. I've seen plenty of folks claiming they'd take me down- haven't seen a single hero yet. You ever see a hero, Viper?"

Before the Viper could respond, a squad leader burst through the door, nearly cracking the wood with his knuckles.

"What's so urgent you gotta break my damn door?" Bernard growled, cigar clenched between yellowed teeth.

"Sir, the Lancaster family wants Sophia Lancaster's bail set at two million," the officer reported, swallowing hard.

Bernard made a noise somewhere between a bull snort and a laugh.

"Two million? Is that a joke? Raymond's offering ten, and I'm not in the habit of trading gold bars for pocket change. Tell 'em to shove it unless they come back with something better."

sir." The officer retreated, but moments later returned, face pale. He hovered

darkened. "The hell do

"we just got a call from Ms. Jasmine Kingston. She says we nabbed the wrong guy. She

His sneer vanished, replaced by a flicker of genuine

long moment, he said

he turned his gaze to Viper, beads of sweat glistening

She's a certified nightmare. That woman's a walking nuke-money, power, the

1/3

Chapter 195

this on me! I had no

cigar, but he managed to regain

deal with it. If she's sniffing around, I'll deny we ever booked the Kid. See

barked at the squad leader to deliver his lie-tell Jasmine they had no

the second the guy left, Bernard's phone started

ID. "Alfred Kingston," he muttered voice tight

unease.

like the entire Kingston clan's coming

Alfred! Long time, no talk. You still out

11

hissed. "I'm only calling for one reason. Did you arrest a

would I- Are you sure my men even

cut you off for good. Your name will be trash in every

clenched into a fist, nails digging into his palm. But he forced his

happened to nab a

head is harmed, I'll see

the

stared at his phone, heart slamming

"Dammit! I've got Jasmine and Alfred Kingston breathing down my neck, all for that

"There was no hint- I

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