Jason ran a hand over his bruised ribs, breathing through the pain. The dim glow of the streetlights flickered as he made his way through Lowgrave's back alleys. Reagan thought he had Jason cornered. He was wrong.
If Jason wanted out, he had to move now. But to disappear, he needed money, protection, and a way to vanish without a trace.
There was only one person in Lowgrave who could help with that.
Arlo Vance.
The name alone made Jason's pulse quicken. Arlo wasn't just a fixer—he was the kind of man who could make people disappear, for a price. He worked in the shadows, dealing in debts and secrets, always playing five steps ahead.
Jason hated that he had to go to him.
But he was out of options.
---
The Fox Den – Arlo's Hideout
The bar was nearly empty, save for a few drunks slumped over their drinks. Jason walked past them, heading straight for the private booth in the back.
Arlo sat there, sipping a drink, eyes sharp despite his lazy posture. His dark suit was spotless, his hair slicked back with precision. Everything about him screamed control.
He didn't look up when Jason slid into the booth. "You look like hell."
Jason forced a smirk. "Feels worse."
Arlo finally met his gaze. "And yet, you're still breathing. That means you either have a death wish…" He took a sip of his drink. "…or you need something."
Jason exhaled. No point in dancing around it.
"I need out."
Arlo raised an eyebrow. "Out of what?"
Jason leaned forward. "Reagan."
For the first time, Arlo's smirk faltered. He set his drink down and studied Jason, his fingers drumming against the table. "That's a tall order."
Jason didn't blink. "I can pay."
Arlo tilted his head. "With what?"
Jason hesitated. He didn't have much. But he had one thing Reagan wanted—information.
Leaning in, he whispered, "Reagan's planning something big. Something even you don't know about."
Arlo's expression didn't change, but Jason saw the flicker of interest in his eyes.
He'd taken the bait.
Now Jason just had to survive long enough to play his hand.
---