Chapter 80

He had set up multiple hideouts throughout Night City, and this place was one of them.

Still, staying hidden forever wasn't an option. He might dodge trouble for a while, but not for life. As long as he remained in Night City, it was only a matter of time before the Tiger Claws found him. So he had no choice but to run—leave Night City behind.

…...

..

.

Several hours later, the Delamain cab rolled out of the city and crossed the border. The same endless desert stretched outside his window. When the Sunset Motel finally came into view, the smuggler let out a long breath.

Ever cautious, he didn't jump out right away. He stayed in the taxi for a good while, watching for any sign of an ambush. Only after satisfying himself that no one was lying in wait did he climb out, head into the motel, and make his way to the specified room. He knocked.

The door opened to reveal a double room where the Nomads from the Snakes were already waiting. Their leader wore an old set of exoskeleton armor. None of the others spoke.

McCoy got straight to business. "Got the money?"

The smuggler took out a credchip. "Here's half, like we agreed. You'll get the rest once I'm certain I'm safe."

He hesitated, then added, "No offense, friend—it's just how things work, right? No rules, no standards. That's how your line of work goes, isn't it?"

McCoy accepted the credchip and checked the balance. Sure enough, it matched half of what they had agreed upon. Hauling runs like these typically required half payment upfront, with the remainder paid afterward.

McCoy gave him a nod that almost seemed like approval. "Makes sense. No standards, no deal."

The smuggler relaxed and allowed himself a small smile…only for that smile to freeze at McCoy's next words:

"If you're such a stickler for rules, why'd you sell out Miss Chihiro?"

The smuggler stood there, stunned. "You…you all…"

He whirled, ready to bolt, but the Nomads were already blocking the doorway. Desperate, he went for his gun, but he didn't even manage to touch the handle before McCoy's fist slammed into him, knocking him flat.

…

By the time Leo and his friends arrived at the Sunset Motel, they found the smuggler tied up like a package in one of the rooms.

"Well done," Leo remarked.

"Of course," McCoy said with a grin. "And now, let me introduce someone." Leo stepped aside, gesturing to a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and glasses. "This is Padre's representative."

That man stepped forward with a warm smile, offering McCoy a handshake. "So you're Mr. McCoy, correct? Mr. Sebastian Ibarra asked me to send his regards. Normally, when dealing with Nomads, we'd haggle on the price. But Mr. McCoy, you're a friend of Mr. Leo's, so Mr. Ibarra instructed us to buy at full market value, no questions asked."

McCoy's face lit up. He had expected some hard bargaining, but instead they were getting the best possible price. Padre was handing them extra profit out of respect for Leo. McCoy couldn't help thinking back to when he'd rescued that young man from a Raffen Shiv attack—never imagining it would someday bring them all this goodwill.

McCoy nudged the bound smuggler with his foot. "So, want us to handle this scumbag for you, or do you want him yourselves?"

"We'll take care of him," Leo replied.

With that, Jackie hefted the bound smuggler onto his shoulder and headed outside.

"Oh, right—here's what you asked for," McCoy said, handing over a black plastic bag, sealed tight so you couldn't tell what was inside. Leo didn't bother checking; he simply transferred the agreed-upon amount through his tactical display. He knew that for McCoy and the other ex-Bakkers, stuck under the Snake's thumb, this money was more than a mere transaction—it could be life-changing. 

With their business wrapped up, Leo had no interest in lingering. Everyone clearly wanted to wrap up their own affairs without onlookers around. Leo gave McCoy a friendly wave. "All right, take your time. We'll get going. Keep in touch."

…

They left the Sunset Motel, driving for about half an hour before stopping in a desolate patch of wasteland.

"This spot should be good enough," someone said as they parked. 

Chihiro got out, halting anyone else who tried to follow her. "I can handle this alone."

She hauled the smuggler out of the trunk. Ignoring his pleas for mercy, she dragged him off into the barren distance. A few minutes later, she returned.

"All done?"

Chihiro wiped some blood from her cheek. "Yes. It's handled."

No one asked further questions.

"Let's head back, then. I'll drop you at El Coyote Cojo," Leo said.

V, hearing the implication, turned to him. "What about you?"

"I have somewhere else to go, some business to take care of."

Jackie flexed his fists. "You're going without your brother? That's cold."

"Nah, it's just business talk. Don't worry about it, I'll fill you in later."

Seeing he didn't want to explain in detail, the others let it go. Leo started up the SUV and began driving them back.

"Jackie, you've got an important job: talk your mom into taking Chihiro and Ryoko in," he said.

Jackie thumped his chest. "No problem. Mama's going to love them."

"Better not get cocky," Leo teased. "You might regret it."

Jackie just cackled. "Hahahahaha…"

…

They arrived at El Coyote Cojo and dropped Jackie and the others off. Leo left the SUV with them, too, so they'd have a vehicle if they needed one. Then he hailed a Delamain taxi to Little Chinatown in Watson, heading straight for the Afterlife Club.

Emmerick still stood guard at the entrance, nodding politely and stepping aside when he recognized Leo. A group of rough-looking thugs, who'd been blocked from entering, grew disgruntled at being left out.

"Why's that guy get to go in while we can't?" one complained.

Emmerick shot them a withering glare but otherwise didn't budge. Leo caught their griping, but it took more than a few random punks to spoil his mood.

Claire was tending bar. Seeing Leo, she paused as if searching her memory. "Leo, right?"

Leo gave her a friendly grin. "That's me. Your memory's as sharp as ever."

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