Page 59 of Wilde and Deadly

“Oh, c’mon!” He gestured toward a rattling dryer beside him, the display flashing 00:01. “These ancient-ass machines run on change and I miscalculated. My favorite hoodie’s still wet, and I need another cycle.”

Rowan arched a brow. “You called me here for a laundry crisis?”

“Well, I still got the intel you want, don’t I?” Benji shrugged. “Multitasking. Got any quarters or what?”

Davey fished in his pocket and tossed him a couple. Rowan sent him a sidelong glance as Benji fed the quarters into the machine.

“What?” Davey said. “Easier to just give him the damn quarters than argue about it.”

“You brought your tail again.” Benji straightened, his gaze flicking to Davey, then back to her. “He’s got that ‘kill-you-and-hide-the-body’ look.”

“Benji, Davey Wilde,” Rowan introduced, nodding between them. “And he’s here for my protection.”

Benji snorted. “Oh, soI’mdangerous now? I mean, sure, I know things, but—” He paused, looking at Davey again. “Wait. Wilde? As in the guy you were supposed to kill?”

Rowan sighed. “Yes.”

Benji's eyes widened. “And now you’re working with him? That’s either really badass or really stupid. Maybe both.” He whistled. “Damn, girl. You don’t do anything halfway, do you?”

Davey gave him a flat look. “You got information or not?”

Benji's gaze flicked to Davey, then back to her. “Okay, okay, but before we start, let’s talk protection. And payment. I want both.”

Rowan let out a dry laugh. “You’re still trying to bargain? With what leverage?”

Benji straightened, pushing his glasses up his nose. “With information youwant.And I know you’re gonna want it bad. But my last little data expedition put a target on my back, and I’d like to stay very much alive, thank you.” He tapped his temple. “I’m smart, but I’m not ‘dodge-a-hit-squad’ smart. That’s wherehecomes in.”

He nodded toward Davey.

Davey exhaled sharply. “You want protection fromWilde Security?”

Benji smirked. “Oh, don’t act so shocked. I know how this works. I spill my secrets, and you two disappear into the night while I get a bullet in the back of my head two days later. Not a fan of that outcome.”

Rowan folded her arms. “You’re assuming we’ll find your intel worth the trouble.”

Benji grinned. “Oh, you will. But I want cash and coverage. Non-negotiable.”

Davey considered him for a long moment before nodding. “Fine. But if what you’ve got is worthless, you’re on your own.”

Benji clapped his hands together. “See?That’sa deal I can work with.” He pulled out his laptop and slid into the plastic chair beside the change machine. “Now, onto the good stuff.”

The screen lit up with a mess of files, diagrams, and transaction logs. “Kryos Solutions is a brokerage firm,” Benji said. “They connect people who need dirty work done with the ones willing to do it.”

Rowan tapped her fingers against her arm. “We already know that, Benji.”

He wiggled his fingers over the trackpad. “Yeah, yeah, hold your horses. The part youdon’tknow? Who’s pulling the strings. Because I followed the money, and it led right to someone you’redefinitelygonna want to pay attention to.”

Davey’s posture stiffened. “Who?”

Benji licked his lips. “Atlas Frost.”

Rowan’s stomach dropped.

Davey let out a slow breath, his expression darkening. “You’re sure?”

Benji turned the laptop toward them. A network of accounts linked to offshore banks sprawled across the screen, the highlighted name at the center: Frost International.

“I triple-checked,” Benji said. “Everything leads back to him. He owns Kryos.”

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