Three hours earlier
When Dex entered Jacob Virelli’s private office, the old man was already waiting for him, seated behind his massive desk like a king on a throne, a glass of aged wine in his hand.
Jacob didn’t look surprised to see him. If anything, a faint, calculating smile played on his wrinkled lips.
“Dex,” Jacob said smoothly. “I wondered how long it would take you to come sniffing around.”
Dex regarded the old man with cold eyes and remained standing, hands in his pockets, exuding calm dominance even though he wasn't in his own territory.
“I know about the shipment,” Dex said bluntly.
Jacob took a slow sip of his wine, watching Dex over the rim of the glass. Silence stretched between them, they were two predators, measuring each other.
“You’ve always been the sharper one,”
