Chapter 3: A Little Leverage πΆοΈ
"Mr.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ βΉ96684423βΊ Merritt, hello.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β§57defed7 I'm sorry to bother you at a time like this, but the sooner we deal with your sister's situation, the better it is for everyone--"
Nadia stepped forward and laid it all out.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (3174e55a) She never once mentioned Tyler Kincaid's name, never touched on what caused the accident.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ #7f88db6b She only talked about what to do now.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β©4a563b5d/May 27, 2026
Barrett wasn't stupid.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ * d0a61246 He caught the subtext loud and clear.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·d543fbf0Β· She was telling him, politely but firmly: the crash had nothing to do with the car's owner, and the person behind the wheel was someone he'd never be able to reach.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ #3e142f5d Better to keep his mouth shut, take whatever money was on the table, and walk away with as much as he could get.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [v.d9e53233]
His jaw clenched.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ed.e58bf111] He didn't say a word.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ms.51535e6f] Humiliation and rage burned in his chest like something physical.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (8588661f) When Nadia finished, he spoke, his voice flat and cold.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β©42c9e860/May 27, 2026 "Please leave."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·Β·14710fe2
Nadia froze.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sub:2b93bbc4 She hadn't expected to spend all that time laying out the situation only to get three syllables back.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·dc3debac She opened her mouth to try again, met his eyes, and the words died in her throat.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:68edbda8]
Vera stepped in.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ed.60d20d5e "Mr.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ plate-a2a8305d Merritt, acting on emotion won't do your sister any good.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (7c49ac5a/Wed) From what I understand, her prognosis isn't encouraging.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·666424fb Post-op care, medication, rehabilitation -- none of that comes free."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sub:a7806260
His lips pressed tighter.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ed.77495551 He stared straight at her, eyes threaded with red.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·Β·8bda2431 "I'll figure out how to pay for her treatment myself."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ΒΆ1ab699ac
Vera took the agreement from Nadia's hands and held it out to him, her voice perfectly gentle.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ refΒ·fedde6b4 "Mr.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:3c3afba6] Merritt, we have absolutely no intention of disrespecting your sister.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (c9f3cbd2/Wed) We simply want to offer some compensation."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.03c9984a
She held it there.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β§d5821eea When it became clear he genuinely wasn't going to take it, she lowered her hand, pulled a business card from her pocket, and set it in front of him.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ βΉ0b04024fβΊ
"Mr.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ed.ad959d51 Merritt, here's my card.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·37f6281d If you need anything, please reach out.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ βΉa8971b34βΊ But right now, I'm the one who needs something from you, which means you have the leverage.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ refΒ·47f7bf64 The moment you come to me instead, that dynamic shifts.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.112e64b9 Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [v.3e85f407]
She rarely tried to persuade anyone.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β°04160444 This time it backfired -- Barrett flicked the business card away as his answer.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ 0406e45fΒ·Β·
Vera didn't push further.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ #f55a51a2 She said goodbye and left.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β b59e81e4
In the car, Nadia looked miserable.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [v.dec7605a] "Boss, what do we do now?"ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sub:071c75ec
If they'd been on the other side of this, she would've respected Barrett for being incorruptible.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·464a3689 But she was Vera Whitfield's assistant, so all she felt was frustration that the man's spine was made of iron.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·e49256db
Vera flipped through the documents for her next meeting, her voice light.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β«d179cd40Β» "No rush."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β°b3fa5e0a
*
Barrett stood in front of Whitfield Tower, tipped his head back to take in the building stretching toward the sky, and walked in.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β«1567dfd3Β»
He'd come to find her after all.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ refΒ·082e5eb4
When the front desk called up, Nadia came down personally to meet him.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β©5f17674e/May 27, 2026 She brought him to a conference room to wait, told him the boss would see him after her meeting.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·Β·ef05341b
Barrett sat there until dark.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ imp.c78a6786 The city lights were blazing outside the windows before Nadia appeared again.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β¨de780ff7β©
She led him down a long corridor to the office at the very end.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ plate-44ca91dd Nadia opened the door, gestured for him to go in, then pulled it shut behind her and left.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:edf9529c]
Inside, the young woman was signing something.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ plate-8af8a4f5 She finished, capped her pen, and looked up at him the way you'd greet an old friend.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ * 66aeb60a "Mr.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ed.e9c1d480 Merritt.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ 771e641dΒ·Β· It's been a while."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·54c2c549Β·
Barrett couldn't get a read on her tone, so he said nothing.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β©c186664d/May 27, 2026
"Have a seat.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ #33a5d1b1 Something to drink?ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ms.3744a049] Tea?"ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·9ad92f63
"Don't go to the trouble."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ed.0725350e
Vera made the decision for him.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ΒΆ7213c01c She picked up the desk phone.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ plate-d36594dd "Nadia, bring in two glasses of water."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β ad1268ce Something told her that between coffee, tea, and plain water, he'd pick water every time.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ms.ecdccf77]
Nadia knocked and entered, setting a glass in front of Barrett.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ refΒ·a3630ad5
Once the door closed again, Vera stood, came around to the sofa across from him, and sat down.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·1d770a86Β· She met his gaze head-on, not flinching, not looking away.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·Β·d464c9bf
She had a classic face -- arched brows, sharp almond eyes, a small nose and delicate mouth.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ΒΆc1bb0805 Elegant in a quiet, old-fashioned way.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ed.f58c9c1c] Nothing aggressive about her beauty at all.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [v.02dca0b4]
Barrett had lived through actual gunfire.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β 2210f925 His instinct for danger had evolved into something he didn't have to think about anymore.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β«3c32a0adΒ» He couldn't explain why this soft-spoken woman set that instinct off.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β 262b84f8
"Ms.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ms.7a0a07fd] Whitfield, you know why I'm here."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ plate-26c85515
Vera nodded.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [v.312c9298]
Nearly six months since the accident, and Tessa was still in a coma.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sub:39e925ee The ICU costs alone were enough to drown him.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·Β·77f9b034 Vera had expected him to last a month, tops.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ * 3402fe47 She hadn't expected him to hold out this long.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ #2f9e1b15
When she didn't speak, Barrett forced the words out.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:fdd0f0a8] "I need money."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.28a2ac8b
Vera smiled.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:a7756199] "Mr.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ed.da4a7847] Merritt, you're not very good at asking for help."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ #db835431
She caught the way his fingers -- long, hard-knuckled -- suddenly clenched, and quickly added, "Sorry.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sub:d1a37020 That came out wrong."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.0595214a She didn't elaborate.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:f7930fdd] Instead, she shifted direction.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (1a8de1f7) "The offer from the hospital still stands.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ imp.65dc67a4 Medical bills, damages for pain and suffering--"
"No," he cut in.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [v.e7cb66b8] "Tessa doesn't need charity.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β§254b18ac I'm here to borrow what she needs for treatment.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.39450da0 I'll pay back every cent."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ms.e152baa6]
Vera paused.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ plate-a4ffe197 "Mr.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ #478ff808 Merritt, words are just words."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sig.6e3a6de4
She didn't need his money.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.b594078c But she wasn't about to play the good Samaritan at the negotiating table.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.59baac7b
The man who'd seen actual combat apparently didn't know the first thing about business.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·4f9b63b5Β· He couldn't ask for help, and he couldn't negotiate either.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.d9876574
"We'll put it in writing.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (d1e1f2f1) With interest."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ΒΆ4cfd2849
Vera studied him, something like amusement in her eyes.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sub:d37c6d5d "The thing is, Mr.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ 227cfa1eΒ·Β· Merritt, I don't really need money.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ * da4a4abd What I need is your silence."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:bbe15990]
"I won't--"
This time she cut him off.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β©a6cf1472/May 27, 2026 "Words are just words.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β°f0952192 Isn't that right?"ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β§988f0ac0
Barrett's eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (ab072b96) "What do you want me to do?"ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [v.af514616]
"What *can* you do for me?"ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ imp.11074192
"Whatever's in my power."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [f0261ec7]
"Well then -- how about killing someone for me?"ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β galley 73a4edcf β
The air around him went sharp.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ #eeb40e71
Vera hadn't been serious.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.c42c7437 But seeing him react like that, she couldn't help but laugh.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·Β·bce29f9d "I'm kidding.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ βΉ452c128cβΊ What I need is insurance.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ * dc109c39 Something small.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ed.3d349a65 A little leverage."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [v.0813a210]
Leverage?ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ms.1be9de30]
"Do you have anything of equal value to those medical bills?"ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ imp.d57a1f5f
Obviously not.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ imp.11a020b6
Vera had expected as much.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (8dfade6e) Smoothly, she raised her phone and pointed the camera at him.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ ΒΆ6bcdc5bd "Mr.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (6b72b325/Wed) Merritt, take off all your clothes."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ imp.796ab1d3
Barrett's lips pressed together.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [40a848d4] For the first time in his life, he doubted his own hearing.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sig.77adf7ae "What did you say?"ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sig.0d003d94
"I said, take off all your clothes."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β©dff3cea0/May 27, 2026 She waved the phone slightly, her expression unchanged.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ imp.c68a6b4c "A little leverage.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:c35f38b6] Don't worry -- as long as I don't hear any strange rumors floating around, the only person who'll ever watch this video is me."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [a3a6d02f]
Barrett had a rough idea of what she was after.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β 300ef3ce He borrowed her line.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·Β·8173a2d7 "Words are just words."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [v.78fe48d0]
"Right now, you're the one who needs something from me.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β 1908d0ac Of course, we can keep brainstorming other options, but Tessa might not be able to wait that long."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ fa0a6fc4Β·Β·
One sentence, and she had him pinned.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sig.9d7efee5
He suddenly remembered what she'd said at the hospital -- that once he came to her, the power dynamic would flip.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β§acccb58a
Shoving everything he was feeling somewhere deep down, Barrett shrugged it off.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ imp.88790945 "I'm a man.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β 176dac57 Even if this video ended up online, I've got nothing to lose."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β·863b0370
"Then by all means.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ refΒ·2d4ce4e6 Go ahead."ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:9e0cd971]
His jaw tightened slowly, the already-sharp line of bone carving itself even sharper.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β«56da76faΒ»
The more he resisted, the more certain Vera became.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β©52989f2f/May 27, 2026 He cared about his dignity more than money.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (c507b239) Which meant a nude video would be far more effective collateral than any penalty clause.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (18989cd3/Wed)
She was infinitely patient.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ 9bf3087fΒ·Β· She waited.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β 3e74c90a
The standoff stretched on.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β 24a97ca9 Finally, Barrett stood, reached behind him, and pulled his shirt over his head, baring his upper body to her gaze and her camera.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β°e651b218
His muscles were beautiful -- lean and hard, clearly built through something far more demanding than a gym membership.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ sub:a99f5d28 A few old scars of varying lengths crossed his chest and abdomen.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ Β«c351fd35Β» On his left arm, a round scar.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ (59bf6d59/Wed) A bullet wound.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ refΒ·df02b589
Vera felt a flicker of genuine curiosity.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β 9f645543 She hadn't expected to see a gunshot wound in peacetime.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ imp.79f342dd
Whether from the cold, or nerves, or fury, the two points on his chest tightened and stiffened under her stare.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ no.89f6cba6
And she found herself pleased by his reaction.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [proof:5b10b899] What had started as a strictly business blackmail video had taken on a cruder kind of entertainment value.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ refΒ·66171d39
Vera lifted her eyes to meet his.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ refΒ·6606e0cb
Barrett understood.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ β galley e6ddae1d β His expression went colder.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ cee7f570Β·Β· His hands dropped to his belt.ββ ββββββ β β ββο»Ώο»Ώββ ο»Ώββο»Ώββββββ ο»Ώο»Ώβο»Ώββ [ms.8897cc7c]