Page 97 of Crossing Lines

“Good question, but I think it’ll depend on the cost at the end of the day.”

“Do you think Ozan knows anyone? Maybe we can see something while we’re here?”

“I’ll ask him, but to be clear, do you want to use him as the supplier?”

“I do. What do you think?”

“It’s worth having a trial run, to make sure they can deliver what they promise. But I have a good feeling about this.”

When Ozan returns, Evren talks to him in Turkish for a bit, as if cementing the deal right then and there. When they finish, Evren says in English that Ozan has a sister-in-law who runs a garment facility and that we can meet her now if we’d like.

“It can’t be that easy, right?” I ask, once we’re back in the car after visiting the garment facility. Nate’s driving with another bodyguard in the passenger seat. “To just come here, meet some people, and make a deal on the spot?”

“It can be,” Evren says, “and it is. Money talks, and they know this will be lucrative for them.”

“But what about lawyers and contracts and running the numbers on if this will be financially beneficial?”

“I ran the numbers.”

“When?”

“In my head on the car ride over.”

I glance at him. “Why is that so fucking hot?”

“Do you want me to do equations in bed tonight?” he teases.

“Fuck yes.”

He laughs. “To answer your question, lawyers will get involved now to make the contracts, but we have a principal agreement and that’s sufficient to continue.”

“Shit, I guess we should celebrate. This whole thing is really coming together.”

“Yes, because of you.”

“No, because ofus.” I grab his hand in mine. “And all that’s missing is for you to get Glam Pop to sign on. Are there any updates there?”

“I’m not going to respond until we get back. Two can play hardball.”

“Why not just give in to him?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“Because he shouldn’t be trying to make money off Stella. That’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed. Stella’s not part of the team, and his request is disgusting.”

The fact that he has lines he won’t cross when it comes to his business is one of the many reasons I respectEvren. Not only that, but he’s protecting my friend, and that means even more to me.

“Thank you,” I say, squeezing his hand.

“But,” Evren says, “I wanted to talk to you about either approaching Ben with the truth about why Mick is doing all this shit, or confronting Mick with the fact that he has it out for you and see what he has to say.”

“First, thank you for asking for my consent and including me in the decision. But I’m tired of hiding, of being the dirty little secret that Miguel likes to pretend doesn’t exist. I say you should confront both of them in your next meeting and see what happens.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind? I don’t want you to feel used if I get into this with them.”

“I’m sure. I know what kind of person Miguel is. But I don’t know anything about Ben. You keep saying he just follows Miguel blindly, but I think how he reacts to this will tell me everything I should know about his character.”

“Fair enough. I’ll set up a meeting with them when we get back.” Evren kisses my knuckles. “Until then, let’s forget about everything except celebrating the win from today.”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

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