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“I’ a deal He’ll either take it or leave it But I have a feeling he’ll take it The fact that he keeps raising your prices tells me so He needs the cash And he’s a shrewd operator who’ll look out for his own best interests We’ll use both to our advantage”

“His English sucks”

“He’ll understand the universal language: money” Phil talked over Ben’s continued objections “Just trustas it’s private Let me know the details once he decides them”

“It isn’t that simple”

“Actually, it is”

“Phil, he doesn’t need the cash He wants the cash”

“Fine So he’s not hurting, he’s greedy That works, too I’ll offer hio take that shower And don’t come out until your mind is crystal clear Then make the call”

Ben stared at the receiver long after the dial tone signaled that Phil had hung up

He should have told him He’d tried to, several times But Phil had cut him off

Who was he kidding? If he’d wanted to tell his friend, he would have found a way But Phil had seemed so damned confident that he could make his plan work

Ben squeezed his eyes shut He was a fucking coward Phil deserved to know that the otiate as the sa Ben hadn’t been in Hong Kong that day But Phil had He nize him

Or he ht not

Even if he’d clearly seen Xiao as he left the crio People’s appearances changed The only reason Matthew had recognized Xiao Long that night in Chinatoas because Xiao had planted hinized Otherwise, they ht by each other and never batted a lash

And if Phil didn’t recognize Xiao Long, and if this plan of his really did work, it would be a godsend It would free Ben from both financial and physical de dis And it would mean a pretty penny for Phil, as well

On that thought, his decision was made