X

"Now, is that any way

ine," I shot back, my

, Max. Don't be like that. We've got history, you a

dropped.

ning. "Kenneth Johnson's big announcemen

acing. What does he

e?" I demanded. "

just say... I have a vested interest in tonight's ev

you talk

see,"

. He was the man who'd helped me accomplish a rather... secretive missio

I demanded once again, st

y, letting a sly smile creep onto his face as he shut the bl

x," he finally said, his

y voice sharper this time. "Wh

wall, crossing his arms. "Oh,

d shoot through me. T

ne," I said firmly, t

Done? You must be joking. You didn't

about? I gave you th

Dennis said, his voice rising slightly. "

I paid you well, Dennis. More than enough. Don

ly covered by the cap's shadow. "And don't forget who helped you, Max.

shot back, though my voice lac

g, you're doing pretty well for yourself. Manager of Kenneth Johnson's compa

more urgent now. "I've done enough for you, Denn

Max. If you don't pay me what I'm owed, I might just have to...

aced. "You

" he sai

glanced at the screen and froze. It was a text from m

on is in th

a man with a reputation for sniffing out secrets, was somewhere in the comp

aid, my voice low and urgen

"Hide? Why? You afraid s

hnson is in the building. If he

sed. "Sounds like a pr

he finds you, he'll start asking qu

uriating. "Not my problem. I'm not t

rabbing his arm and pulling him towar

ression darkening. "I'm not hiding

ice!" I said, pushing

ly on the ground. "Get your

swear, if y

allway cut me off. My blood ran

ispered urgently. "Jus

stubbornly, cr

nded as I grabbed Dennis by the shoulde

e, Max!" he his

ything!" I whispered back,

e dripping with defiance. "Pay me wha

stopped right

e of my d

his time even a new baby co

ob Johnson, the man who could make anyone in the comp

idently, his tailored navy-blue designer suit fitting perfectly.

tie...striped with gold and black...screamed exclusivity. Even

ties didn't show on his face, which was smooth and well-groomed, almost ann