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I chuckled because he was ize for our wrongdoings We have every intent of lying, stealing, andour victims Own up to it—like man”

Joseph fell quiet, knowing he was out of excuses

“I’ll respect you more for it”

Joseph finally looked athis weakness “I’ll double the ao”

“Noe’re talking” I adjusted the sleeve of my suit, meticulous about my appearance, like always I wore power like a fresh suit, filling out the clothing as if it wereI balanced at all times

“I can get it to you in twenty-four hours,” he said “All in cash Just let us go”

“A tes were a lot

“Do we have a deal?” He adjusted his aret comfortable The bite of the metal around his wrists must have been painful

I gazed at his two cronies, both equally unimpressive While they were burly with ility Their eyes hinted at stupidity, following orders without understanding what they were doing That’s how they got into this mess in the first place—because their boss was even du to ”

His eyes fell with devastation “I’ll make it twelve million”

The corner of my mouth rose in a smile “You need to learn how to listen”

His rate of breathing increased, his chest rising and falling with his i doom

“I have an ie to maintain If I let you off the hook that easily, my other business partners won’t hesitate to cross me Obviously, I can’t allow this”

“Don’t kill me…” His voice shook in desperation “I made a mistake You’ve made mistakes too”

“But it wasn’t ato enormous proportions “You aren’t a child, Joseph You understood what you were doing when you did it Your only et aith it”

He bowed his head, his chestat a quicker pace

“I don’t accept your o”