Chapter 563
“Understood,” Hank said smoothly, leaning back. “In light of that, can we agree to a truce moving forward? You have my word, Ms. Mercer. Your name will be added to our absolute blacklist. We will never accept a contract that targets you or your interests p>
He sounded entirely sincere, but Mira wasn’t going to let him off that easily.
“No,” she replied, her gaze piercing. “You still tried to abduct me. There’s a price for that p>
Hank let out a heavy sigh. “Name your terms p>
“How much did Roxanne Porter pay you for the hit p>
Mira locked eyes with Hank, not missing a single expression on his face.
Hank hesitated. “Client confidentiality is the bedrock of our business. I can’t disclose that p>
“Then we have nothing more to say, and you’ve wasted a trip.” Mira’s tone left no room for negotiation.
She didn’t want an all-out war with them right now, but she wasn’t the type to forgive and forget. If they showed a moment of weakness, she would crush them.
Hank recognized the uncompromising steel in her eyes. It was exactly why he had requested this meeting.
“Millions,” Hank finally confessed. “She paid us millions of dollars to take you off the board p>
“Millions?” Mira let out a dark, mocking laugh. “She thought a few million dollars was enough to buy my life? Do you have any idea what I’m worth p>
It was almost insulting.
“You should be counting your lucky stars that your men failed,” Mira continued, leaning forward. “If I had lost a single hair on my head, I would have burned your entire organization to the ground p>
“My subordinates lacked the proper clearance and judgment. That is precisely why I am here,” Hank conceded.
It was basic logic in his line of work. High-net-worth individuals came with high-level security. When Hank heard about the disastrous casualty report exactly half his men dead, perfectly balanced between the male and female operatives he knew this wasn’t luck. She had been playing with them. It was a terrifying display of precision that no ordinary street gang could pull off.
“Let’s skip the corporate dance,” Mira said, cutting to the chase. “You grab Roxanne Porter and give her the exact same treatment you’re giving Mara. Do that, and our debt is settled. Oh, and release Dexter West. I gave him my word I’d get him out. If you refuse, I’ll just have my people rip him out of your hands p>
Hank mulled it over. “Releasing the boy is a non-issue p>
Dexter was a low-level pawn with zero intel. Letting him go was a cheap way to build goodwill.
“But Roxanne Porter… she’s under the protection of Lawrence Lance in Aethelgard. You know our rules about stepping on the toes of old money p>
The Lance family was a juggernaut in the capital. Crossing them was corporate suicide.
“Do as I say,” Mira commanded. “I will handle Lawrence Lance. I’m moving my entire operation to Aethelgard anyway p>
“For university p>
“For university, and because my empire is expanding into the capital p>
Hank couldn’t help but marvel at her. *What kind of bloodline produces a monster like this at her age p>
“How about this?” Mira offered, a dangerous smile touching her lips. “I’ll pay you the same millions to make sure Roxanne’s life is a living nightmare p>
“Keep your money,” Hank said quickly. “Consider it a professional courtesy. I genuinely hope we can collaborate in the future p>
Mira raised an eyebrow. “Collaborate? I don’t run a criminal syndicate p>
Hank laughed aloud. “Do you honestly think that’s all we do p>
Mira frowned. “Are you not an international terrorist organization p>
“Terrorists? Hardly,” Hank replied with a wry smile. “Ninety percent of Aegis Global Operations is completely legitimate. Fully above board. The remaining ten percent is simply… aggressive defense Occasionally, a rogue manager takes a black-market contract to boost their margins. It happens p>