Another punch. Quick and punishing.
Roger whimpers something I can’t make out.
Then, Johnny moves so fast I almost miss it. He slams Roger’s hand down, drives the hilt of the knife into his knuckles. Roger’s scream echoes off the walls.
“Start talking,” Johnny growls. “Or I’ll carve the truth out of you.”
That’s when I know. He’s never been with Walter. No, he’s been hunting him.
Roger cracks fast after that. Spills everything. Every name. Every location. Every client nickname. Talks about warehouses in the north, a transit hub disguised as a freight service, private buyers in Europe. Walter’s connections. His supply lines. He folds like wet paper. Pathetic.
When it’s done, Johnny’s crouched beside him, blood on his hands and fury in his bones. Breathing hard. Vengeance in his core.
I let the silence settle.
“You’re not in bed with Walter. You’re manipulating him.”
Johnny lifts his head. Eyes empty, except for fire.
I keep my voice level. “This is about her.”
We both know who I’m talking about. He doesn’t deny it.
I step closer, closing the distance. I offer an olive branch.
“Let’s stop wasting time pretending we’re enemies,” I murmur. “We share what we know. Hit him from both ends. Take down the whole damn thing.”
Johnny stares at me for a long time. Blood on his hands. Roger gasping at his feet.
Eventually, he nods. Once. We have an agreement. An alliance made. Unspoken, but absolute.
I step nearer. “One more thing.”
His brow ticks up.
“I know she’s in your apartment.”
The change is immediate. Not violent, but sharp. His shoulders straighten. His gaze hardens like quenched steel.
“She asked about you,” he says finally.
I nod once. Calm on the surface, but inside, I’m burning. She asked aboutme.
His jaw works. “You hurt her, I’ll gut you.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
We stare at each other. Two loaded guns with the safeties off.
Then, Johnny turns for the door. “Come on,” he mutters.
And just like that, we’re walking out. Two men. One war.
Both of us orbiting the same woman. Both of us willing to fight for her.
Chapter 29
Lina—3 years ago…
