Unfinished business

BRYNN POV

Your assistant holds the door, her professional smile faltering slightly at the sight of your visitor. Vex enters your office with the casual confidence of someone who owns every room he walks into.

He's traded last night's leather for a tailored charcoal suit that probably costs more than your monthly rent. The tattoos peeking from his collar and cuffs somehow make the formal attire more threatening, not less.

“Thank you, Mira. That will be all.”

Your assistant hesitates, looking between you and Vex before reluctantly closing the door.

Vex approaches your desk, placing a sleek portfolio on its surface. His eyes take in your office—noting exits, windows, the photos on your desk—before settling on you.

“Ms. Mason. I believe we have some unfinished business.”

Vex settles into the chair opposite your desk without being invited, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

I stare at the man sitting across from me

“No you have unfinished business, and are trying to get me involved. I already told you I’m not interested.”

He settles further into the chair, like it’s his own chair in his house. Realizing I’m probably not going to get him to leave until I at least hear him out.

“What exactly is it you want?”

He sits forward. A smirk that is fueled by his ego of thinking he broke me down.

“What I want is complicated. What you need is simple.”

He opens the portfolio, sliding several glossy photographs across your desk. They show Jessie entering warehouses, handling packages, meeting with hard-looking men sporting distinctive mantis tattoos.

Your stepsister is moving product for the Mantis cartel. Using daddy's properties. Including the building next to yours.

His eyes never leave your face, watching for your reaction.

My eyes don’t leave the pictures. My reaction doesn’t change. I push one of the photos back across my desk.

“It seems like you need to talk to her… I never stepped a foot into this world willingly and I don’t plan to now.”

Vex’s expression darkens, the calm facade slipping for just a moment to reveal something cold and calculating beneath.

“You're already in this world. The moment your stepsister decided to move Mantis product through the building next door, she put a target on your back.”

He leans forward, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

“The Mantis cartel doesn't leave witnesses. They don't care that you're innocent. They don't care that you don't know anything. All they care about is that you might.”

He slides another photo across your desk. It shows a man in a suit watching your building entrance.

“That's Dante Reyes. Mantis enforcer. Been parked outside your apartment since yesterday. My men spotted him before I did.”

His eyes bore into yours.

“So tell me again how this isn't your problem?”

“Ok I’ll play along here for a second… let’s say I care. I don’t but let’s say I do. What’s your plan? And why does it involve me. You seem more than capable of handling this without it involving me.”

Vex leans back, something like approval flickering across his face at your directness.

“Smart question. The plan is simple—I need access to your stepsister and her father's operation. You're my way in.”

He taps the photo of Dante Reyes.

“Mantis thinks you know something. I need them to keep thinking that while I dismantle their operation.”

His eyes narrow, calculating.

“You attend your stepfather's charity gala this weekend. I'll be your date. We use the opportunity to access his office, find evidence of the properties being used as drop points.”

He stands, straightening his cuffs.

“Or you can decline, and I'll handle this my way.”

His smile doesn't reach his eyes.

“ And trust me—my way gets messy. People disappear. Sometimes families too.”

“Your choice, Brynn.”