A moment later, the man was tying up Cash’s fancy Louis shoes and admiring them on his feet. Raiden didn’t usually try to bribe his way out of tight spots like that, but then again, he didn’t usually carry the kinds of bills around that Cash did.
The guard stood up, then crossed his arms over his blue work shirt. He glanced between the door and Raiden nervously. “It’s true that Rios is a prick,” he said under his breath. “I don’t know what you two are trying to do to him, but for what it’s worth, you might want to wait a week.”
“How do you mean?” Cash asked.
“Mr. Rios has been walking around all week, claiming he’s going to be named the next CEO, but rumor has it they’re going to pass him over. Plus he’s got some shitty quarterly numbers coming out from his division next week, and his right-hand woman is going to leave for a new job next week. He’ll be weak as he’s been in years and distracted like hell, too.” He shrugged. “Hope that helps. And thanks for the shoes, gentlemen.”
A moment later, Raiden and Cash were rushing back down the stairs, Raiden’s big boots pounding the steps and Cash’s socked feet thwapping. Raiden kept chuckling to from the sound, but he didn’t care. Lawrence was safe, and somehow, he and Cash had managed to get in and out of the building without killing each other. It made him feel high and all the more eager to reunite with Lawrence.
“Easier to walk without the shoes on,” Raiden called to the woman, who was still unloading boxes while they passed. “He thinks the warts are coming back!”
They made it to the front of the building, and Lawrence was waiting on the corner, leaning against a newspaper box. When he spotted the guys, he startled, then gestured to Cash. “Where’d your shirt and your shoes go?”
Before Cash could answer, Raiden pulled Lawrence into a hug. He swung him in the air, and when he placed him down, he pulled Cash in, too, without really thinking about it.
“What’s that for?” Lawrence asked.
“Just glad you’re safe,” Raiden said, suddenly embarrassed for the display of emotion.
“I’m fine,” he answered. “Just a little shook.”
“It’s okay if you didn’t get the phone,” Cash added. He laid a hand on Lawrence’s arm, comforting him. “We can figure out a new plan. What matters is that you’re safe.”
Lawrence held up his own phone. “I didn’t get my hands on his device,” he said, “but I think I got something even better.”
