Page 83 of Jolt's Vengeance

I raise an eyebrow, skeptical.

Loyalty?

From a guy who just flipped on his employers without much prodding?

But Paulie's not done. "And given the fact I haven't been killed or tortured crazily, I'd be loyal to the Reapers Rejects. If I'm given the chance."

I can't help but admire the guy's balls.

He's dangling from meat hooks, covered in venomous spiders, and he's still trying to negotiate.

Part of me wants to respect that kind of survival instinct.

The other part wonders if we'd be stupid to trust him.

I glance at Widow, trying to read his reaction.

His face is impassive, but I catch a flicker of something in his eyes.

Interest?

Or maybe just calculation.

Either way, I know he's weighing Paulie's words carefully.

As for me, I'm not sure what to think.

On one hand, having an inside man could be invaluable.

On the other, how can we trust someone who's already proven he'll sell out for the right price?

The silence stretches on, broken only by the soft skittering of spider legs on skin.

We're all waiting for Damon's verdict, and I find myself holding my breath again.

Damon's eyes narrow as he considers Paulie's offer.

I can almost see the gears turning in his head, weighing the risks against the potential rewards.

Finally, he nods, his decision made.

"All right," Damon says, his voice gravelly. "But you have to go back and find more shit out for us. I want details, and I want your number."

It's a gamble, but one that could pay off big time if Paulie comes through.

Paulie's relief is obvious. "Yeah, yeah, of course. I'll do whatever you need. Just... please, get these fucking spiders off me."

Dixon chimes in, a rare note of approval in his voice. "Good job."

Damon turns to Widow and me. "Get Paulie down, address his wounds. Make sure he doesn't die from a fuckin’ infection. And for fuck’s sake, give him whatever anti-venom you have."

As I start working on the hooks, I hope Paulie won’t make us regret this.

"Easy there, prospect," Widow murmurs, his hands steady as he helps me. "Don't want to cause any more damage than necessary."

I nod, focusing on the task.

Paulie whimpers as we work, each movement causing the hooks to shift.

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