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“Why not now? Can’t I just give the phone to her—”

“There’s not a whole lot of time. Bring her to the garage, then we will talk.”

Alex was about to protest when Robin hung up on him. He felt three pairs of eyes stare at him as he lowered the phone, internalizing what Robin just said. They had to get her out, fast.

“So what’s up?” Kana’s voice cut through.

Alex stuffed the phone back into his pocket and flashed a crooked grin. “The boss wants to hear from her in person.”

“Boss? Fuck no!” Snowy almost yelled, struggling under Ken’s strong grip. “I’m leaving right now!”

“Not today you ain’t,” said Alex.

“Snowy,” said Kana, stepping forward. “Come with us, and just tell us everything you know about Durden.”

Snowy rolled her eyes in disgust. “I already told you. It’s none of your business, and I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“Lin—” Ken’s voice came out tight. “We’re all witnesses here. And you’re under suspicion regarding Sunny’s disappearance.” His voice hardened. “You’re coming with us. Now.”

“What are you going to do? Arrest me?” she challenged.

Something clicked in Alex’s head. He snapped his fingers. “That’s a great idea. Cuff her.”

“What?” All three of them yelled in unison.

Alex sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “You think I’m gonna let you off that easy?” He raised his phone and tapped the screen. “We have your drugs. We have a picture of you holding them. If you won’t come willingly, consider this a citizen’s arrest.”

Snowy launched herself at him again. Ken yanked her back by the arm, her heels scraping the floor. “Lin! Stop!”

“Let me go, Ken!” She seethed, inches from his nose, her breath hot on his face.

Alex waved his phone in front of her. “If you don’t come now, the rest of the world is going to know that their precious little angel is an addict.”

Snowy’s eyes flicked between Alex’s phone, the door, and Ken’s grip on her arm. Alex watched her do the math. When her shoulders finally dropped, it wasn’t surrender—it was strategy. She was biding her time.

Good enough. Alex lowered the phone and leveled his gaze at Ken. “Cuff her, man.”

Ken’s hand drifted to the tool pocket on his belt. Alex had no idea why the guy still carried cuffs, but he wasn’t about to complain.

Snowy’s eyes went wide. “Ken? Really?”

Ken’s hands trembled as the cuffs rattled against each other. He looked at her with glassy eyes. “I’m not asking you as an officer. Not even as someone you used to know. But we need your help. So just stay calm and follow us.”

“God! You’re so fucking slow!” Alex snatched the cuff links out of Ken’s hand. “If you gonna be a pussy about it, let me do it!”

“No. No. NO!” Snowy’s eyes widened at each no. She screamed when Alex grabbed her wrist. “Ken! What the hell! Why aren’t you doing anything!?”

“Just shut the fuck up and go with it,” said Alex through clenched teeth. He went around and gripped her shoulders, surprised by the hard muscle underneath.

Snowy hissed in pain. “That hurts!”

Ken seized Alex’s wrist before he could tighten his grip further. “You’re hurting her,” he sneered, low and dangerous.

Alex laughed, forcefully pushing Ken away. “Relax, man. Why you getting so worked up? Just ’cause she’s some hot celebrity, bro?”

Ken slightly snarled at him. “She was my—”

“Can both of you shut the fuck up?!” Snowy snapped. She protested under Alex’s restraint. “I’m going to make you regret existing when this is all over.”