Page 21 of Hard Bargain

Knox counted to three before speaking. “Yeah? And what’s that?”

“That you follow instructions,” Dominic said. “That you stay functional under pressure.”

The calmness of the answer only made the anger worse. “So your strategy was what? Throw me in and see if I get shot?”

“They didn’t shoot you.”

Knox’s jaw clenched, tighter this time. “Wow. Comforting. That feels like a low bar.”

For the first time, something like amusement flickered across Dominic’s expression. “You walked out. That’s what matters.”

Knox wondered if he should be grateful for the honesty, or resentful for being thrown in headfirst. He settled for neither. “So,” he said after a moment, “did I pass?”

Dominic looked at him, the corner of his mouth twitching. “You passed. Those guys are trigger-happy bastards. When they feel nervous, they get twitchy. You kept your head. That’s worth something to me.”

Something in Knox eased at that. Not the anger. But for the first time in far too long, he had the strange sensation of being recognized—maybe even valued.

Dominic picked up his drink, considering him over the rim. “Are you hungry?”

The question hit Knox so unexpectedly he blinked. “Uh. Yeah. Actually.”

Dominic signaled to a passing server. “Get us something from the kitchen,” he said. Then his attention returned to Knox.

Silence settled between them as the casino moved around them in restless noise. Knox stared at the table, unsure whether this was some kind of reward or just another phase of whatever game Dominic was playing.

Dominic broke the silence first. “In this business, you learn not to skip meals. Or sleep. That’s how people get sloppy. And sloppy gets people killed.”

Knox managed the ghost of a smile. “Noted.”

When the plates arrived, the smell of steak and roasted potatoes curled through the air, and he had to stop himself from reaching for the food the second it touched the table. His stomach tightened hard enough to remind him how long it had been since he’d eaten.

Dominic didn’t bother with small talk. He just began eating, calm and efficient, leaving Knox to follow suit. And somehow, despite everything, the moment felt oddly normal. As though they were two ordinary men having a late meal in a casino. Except Knox knew better. Every flavor hit harder because Dominic sat across from him.

By the time the plates were cleared, Knox felt steadier. Dominic set his fork down first, glancing at Knox with a look that was hard to read. “You keep doing what you’re told and things will go smoothly for you. But if you decide to get clever—” His tone didn’t change, but the threat was unmistakable. “You know how that ends.”

He felt the words land like a lock snapping shut, every exit closing. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I get it.”

The words tasted bitter, but there was nothing else to say. This wasn’t a negotiation; it was survival. He was in the middle of something he couldn’t control, forced to play along or lose everything. It was Dominic’s game. Dominic’s rules. All Knox could do was keep up.

Dominic leaned back, apparently satisfied. “Good. You’ll be hearing from me.”

Knox nodded, unsure whether he’d been dismissed or was expected to linger. But Dominic had already picked up his phone, his attention shifting elsewhere, moving seamlessly on to the next order of business.

Knox stood and slipped back into the crowd. In that moment, he understood: there was no room for mistakes and no way out but through.

Chapter 7

Knox

Knox was crouched behind the counter restocking gum when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out without thinking, but the moment he saw the name on the screen, his stomach tightened.

Dominic.

He stood, wiped his hands on his shirt, and answered. “Yeah?”

Dominic’s voice was direct, all business. “I need you at the address I just texted you. Now.”

Knox straightened, glancing automatically at the clock mounted above the cigarette display. Almost an hour left on his shift. “I can’t,” he said. “I’m still working.”