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.

every word. I'd have

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

her shoes, I'd be

both know these men hold the real power here. If we're going to be useful

familiar look, the one that used to mean he was about to tell

Don't want to push too hard. You start demanding too much, and they'll think you're

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

"Still the same old Richard.

me as I reached for her hand. It was instinctive, like I

fingers slip from my grasp. There was a look on her face I didn't like, a mixture of

hadn't said it outright, but I could tell she thought I was hiding something. And maybe

before we met, the people I'd had to work

whips of it but haven't gone deep. It is scary to admit it myself. Those days were ignorant times, I wished I could go back in time to correct

thoroughly, but every time I thought about it, the words stuck

see a side of me

drive back was quiet. I tried to focus on what we'd learned, but my mind kept

at me now, as if she wasn't sure who I was anymore. And maybe that was fair. Maybe I wasn't even

first. "Do you trust them?

not exactly trustworthy people," I replied, keeping my eyes on

me, her eyes searching.

he thinks he

"It's not about trust, Sarah. It's about survival. These people can help

wished I could reassure her, and tell her it

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