Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Chapter 92

Richard pov

James introduced us again with his usual smug look, like he was pulling all the strings here. I wanted to wipe that look off his face, but right now, we needed him, and he knew it. "This here's Monty and Kit," James said, nodding toward the two men across from us. "They're... experts in keeping things quiet." He gave a low chuckle, clearly pleased with himself. Monty leaned back, studying me with narrowed eyes. "So, you two want a way in?"

As if he didn't ask Sarah the same kind of question.

I nodded, keeping my voice calm. "We need information. Something we can use."

He shrugged, glancing at James. "And why should we trust you?"

James shot me a look, a warning. "Because Richard's good at keeping secrets. Isn't that right, old friend?"

"Let's get something straight," I said, looking him dead in the eye. "This is about staying a step ahead. Nothing more."

But even as I said it, I could feel Sarah watching me, as if she was looking for cracks in my confidence. I knew she had questions, and probably doubted I was telling her everything.

I could feel the distance between us, that small space widening with every lie, every half-truth. But it was too late to turn back now.

Monty snorted, amused. "Alright, tough guy. We'll see if you're up for it. Kit here will show you a bit of what we know, but it'll cost you. Nothing's free in our world."

Kit, who'd been quiet till now, gave a slow grin, revealing a gold tooth. "Yeah, we know some things. Names, connections-enough to keep you up at night."

I wanted to get straight to business, but I had to be smart. These men knew the rules of survival, and if they smelled any weakness, they'd use it against us. I kept my tone even, businesslike. "Let's hear it." Kit rattled off a few names, places, and meeting times-the kind of details that seemed small but held weight in their world.

kept my focus tight, memorizing every word. I'd have to sift

talking, but I felt her tension. She was taking in everything, but I knew she had

in her shoes, I'd be wondering how

You and I both know these men hold the real power here. If we're going to

that old, familiar look, the one that used to

start demanding

the idea," I shot back, my voice low enough that only he could

the same old Richard.

where Sarah waited. I could feel her eyes on me as I reached for her hand. It was instinctive,

I felt her fingers slip from my grasp. There was a look on her face

said it outright, but I could tell she thought I was

didn't know the things I'd done before we met, the people I'd had to

admit it myself. Those days were ignorant times, I wished I could go back in

to tell her, to explain everything thoroughly, but every

that if she knew the whole truth, she'd walk away. She'd see a side of me I'd buried a long time ago, and maybe she

focus on what we'd learned, but my

now, as if she wasn't sure who I was anymore. And maybe that

"Do you

trustworthy people," I replied, keeping my eyes on

looked at me, her eyes

cross us, not unless he thinks he can get something out of

edge in her voice, the frustration. "It's not about trust, Sarah. It's about survival. These people can help us, even

feel her doubt. I wished I could reassure her, and tell her it would all work out, but I didn't want