Page 81 of My Grumpy Billionaire Protector

Alive.

“What’s up with you?”

I glance up and clear my throat. “I’ve just been busy trying to come up with an alternate plan since neither you nor Felix have been able to figure out a way to bribe the security team.”

Cory grimaces and comes to a stop on the other side of the table. “I know you feel bad about all of this, but we’re going to figure things out. Isaiah is going to do the right thing.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do. He’s not too far gone.”

My hands clench into fists. “The guy who attacked Evie the other day… he had a gun with a silencer on him, Cory. I think he wanted to kill Evie.”

Cory’s expression changes. “Shit. I’m sorry, man.”

“It’s a good thing she knows how to hold her own,” I mutter, mostly to myself. “Honestly, I don’t know what would’ve happened if she didn’t.”

Fighting off a trained assailant who was there with the express purpose of hurting her is a whole other ball game. I am filled with no small amount of awe and respect for the woman I am developing feelings for.

“It’s a good thing she can kick ass,” Cory offers with a small smile.

“What?”

“I’ve never seen you like this, cuz.” Cory gives a slight shake of his head. “You really do care about her, huh?”

I search Cory’s face before blowing out a breath. “I do.”

Cory nods. “I figured as much. So, what are you going to do?”

I shrug. “Nothing. There’s nothing I can do anyway. We both know how it’s going to end once we leave.”

Cory makes a low noise in the back of his throat. “What about making a deal with someone who wants Isaiah? The Syndicate. If you can sneak off the compound, you could make a deal with them. Hand over Isaiah, and in exchange, they let us go.”

I glance back down at the blueprints before looking up at my cousin. “You’re a fucking genius. Come on. “

Twenty minutes later, after a quick trip to the armory, I tuck a Glock into the waistband of my jeans and sneak out. On my way out, I steer clear of everyone and keep my head ducked until I reach the beat-up bike in the garage.

It sputters and makes a low rumbling noise but finally comes to life shortly after. Tires screech against the asphalt as I drive off with blood hammering against my ears.

Motherfuckers. I’m coming for you.

* * *

“What makesyou think you can come in and demand a meeting with me?”

Making my way to their headquarters hadn’t been an issue, not when I tailed one of their men and followed him there. The real challenge was convincing them to let me in, and it was only when I told them my name that they took me seriously and dragged me inside at gunpoint.

I clench one hand into a fist and toss a gun onto the ground. “I requested a meeting because I want to make a deal.”

Across from me, Chao Yang sits behind a wooden rectangular desk, firelight dancing across his sharp features. “What deal?”

“I know that you want Isaiah,” I reply evenly. “I can help you, but you have to help me, and my friends first.”

Chao sits up straighter. “Aren’t you Isaiah’s lapdog? The businessman he has in his back pocket.”

“I am not his lapdog, and I came here to make a deal. That guy who attacked the compound the other night, he’s one of your own, isn’t he?”

Chao presses his lips together and says nothing.

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