Two heartless bastards. That's what they are.
Wesley stood frozen, his expression twisted with frustration and disbelief. He had planned to control the situation from the beginning, to manipulate events to his employer's benefit, but that plan had flown out the window the moment he crossed paths with Robert and Wade.
These two couldn't be analyzed using normal logic.
He was someone who had held his own in negotiations with syndicates, cartels, and warlords—but put him in front of a guy in a red suit and another dressed like a broke student, and suddenly he was the one outmatched, outclassed, and outmaneuvered.
But what could he do? The disparity in strength was painfully clear.
Wesley exhaled sharply, putting on a calm front. "Alright. I need to contact my employer. This additional money you're demanding—this... twenty times increase—it's not within my authorization. I can't make that decision."
Robert gestured casually. "Go ahead. Just don't get smart. No Morse code tapping, no weird pauses. Keep it simple, or you'll be dialing with broken fingers."
Wesley didn't dare protest. He pulled a sleek black phone from his inner jacket pocket and made the call. The conversation on his end was brief—he reported the current situation plainly under the silent, unblinking gaze of Robert, Wade, and Frank. He didn't attempt any deception. He made no mention of the mercenaries' identities, didn't try to pull a fast one. That would've been suicidal.
After a minute, Wesley extended the phone to Robert.
"My employer wants to speak with you directly," he said.
Robert took the phone and put it to his ear. "Hello? You must be the infamous Kingpin, right?"
A calm, controlled voice answered. "Hello, Mr. Mercenary. It's unfortunate we're meeting under these circumstances. But I believe this moment presents an excellent opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings between us."
Robert blinked in surprise.
This wasn't what he expected. No snarling threats, no outrage. Just calm, persuasive rhetoric. The man spoke like a CEO making a pitch to investors, not like the shadowy boss of New York's criminal underworld.
This guy… he's dangerous in a different way.
"I appreciate the civility, Boss Jin," Robert said, trying not to let his amusement slip into his tone. "But let me be blunt—we don't have time for poetry. It's twenty times the bounty, or I let your man Wesley go in… pieces."
There was a pause.
"I'll offer you fifty times."
Robert's eyebrows shot up.
Jin continued, as calm as ever. "We'll proceed through the usual dark web channels. I can wire you two million now. Once Wesley is confirmed to be in a safe location, I'll release another three million. That brings your total reward to five million USD. I won't count the previous bounties. What do you say?"
Five million?!
Robert pulled the phone away for a second and stared at it like it had just sprouted legs.
Was this normal? Is this how bosses do business?
Back on the line, Jin's voice carried on. "You've helped eliminate Vladimir, who has long been a source of instability in the underground. I'm grateful for that. Consider this a deserved reward and a gesture of goodwill."
Robert glanced around at the bodies littering the floor. "Right… no real conflict between us."
Technically, he wasn't wrong. Robert nearly killed Wesley, and Jin almost had Robert erased—but since neither plan succeeded, it was easy to pretend like none of it had happened.
Jin was likely thinking the same thing. A few disposable bodyguards weren't worth souring a potential alliance with a mysterious, absurdly efficient mercenary.
Robert, for his part, wasn't emotionally invested. He wasn't some star-spangled hero. As long as the money flowed and the risk was manageable, he had no problem walking away.
"I'll be honest, Mr. Robert," Jin continued, "You've demonstrated remarkable capability. I'd be interested in establishing a long-term cooperative relationship. Should you choose to work under me, I will compensate you generously."
Robert couldn't help but smile. The man's tone was too formal, too rehearsed. "You sure you're not Boss Cao from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Because I'm getting heavy 'recruit the tiger general' vibes right now."
He shook off the thought and replied, "Boss Jin, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not interested in being anyone's sidekick."
"But," Robert added quickly, "the payment you offered? I'll reluctantly accept it."
He heard a low chuckle on the other end.
"Very well. I look forward to working with you again in the future, should the opportunity arise."
"Pleasure doing business," Robert said. He hung up and tossed the phone back to Wesley.
Seconds later, a notification buzzed on his own phone. The first two million had been transferred.
"Little Four Eyes," Robert called, turning to Wesley. "Your boss paid your ransom. Congratulations—you're free."
"My name's Wesley."
"Good for you. Off you go, Little Four Eyes."
Wesley sighed. He didn't argue. He just turned around and walked toward the door, trying to pretend like he wasn't speed-walking out of sheer terror.
But just as he reached the exit, Wade leaned in toward Robert and whispered, "Hey, little guy… hear me out. What if we let him leave—like, for real—but then we put a sack over his head a block down and bring him back? Double the ransom."
Robert gave him a horrified look. "Wade! That's disgusting. I'm a man of honor."
Then he leaned in and whispered, "Wait for the final three million to clear, then we'll discuss Plan B."
Wade nodded solemnly. "You're wise."
Behind them, Wesley froze mid-step. He could feel two burning gazes on the back of his neck, and every instinct in his body screamed: RUN.
He bolted through the door like the hounds of hell were on his heels.
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