ROLAND’S POV
Roland ended the call with a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
He leaned back in his high-backed leather chair, the cool air of his office carrying a faint scent of cigars and expensive cologne.
His sharp eyes, darkened with malice, studied the man sitting across from him.
The man, dressed in a plain black hoodie and jeans, exuded an air of casual indifference, but the tension in his hunched shoulders suggested he was fully aware of the dangerous game they were playing.
Without a word, Roland opened the desk drawer and retrieved two bulky brown envelopes, their contents making them bulge at the seams.
He slid them across the polished surface of his desk with deliberate precision, his fingers lingering for a moment before releasing them.
“There,” Roland said smoothly, his voice carrying a subtle edge of authority. “Everything is in order.”
The man reached for the envelopes, his calloused fingers brushing against the polished wood of the desk.
He didn’t trust Roland, he never trusted anyone who smiled too much while doing something so inherently wrong.
Carefully, he opened the first envelope and began thumbing through the crisp, neatly stacked bills. The smell of fresh money filled the room.
“Relax,” Roland said with a faint chuckle, waving his hand dismissively. “The money is all there. You think I’d shortchange you?”
The man glanced up from the cash, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Not about to take anyone’s word for it, boss. You know how these things work.”
Roland’s smile faltered briefly, irritation flickering across his features. But he quickly masked it, leaning forward, his elbows resting on the desk.
“Let’s get one thing straight: I don’t like repeating myself. The money is complete. Count it if you must, but don’t waste my time.”
The man smirked faintly, still flipping through the bills, but his tone turned casual, almost conversational.
“You know, it’s a damn shame. Poor Sebastian… trusting his best friend all these years, never suspecting a thing. And here you are, pulling strings behind his back just to get his girl.”
Roland’s demeanor shifted instantly. The smile disappeared, replaced by a steely, cold glare.
He slammed his hand down on the desk with a force that made the envelopes jump. “Watch your mouth,” he snapped, his voice low and threatening.
“You don’t get to pity Sebastian. You’re here to do a job. Nothing more.”
The man raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk widening. “Alright, alright. No need to get worked up. Just making an observation.
But hey, you’ve got guts. Not everyone would betray someone so close to them.”
“Enough.” Roland’s tone was sharp, final. He sat back in his chair, exhaling slowly to regain his composure.
“The first envelope is for the photo. The one you sent to Sebastian. You delivered it as instructed, correct?”
The man nodded. “Yeah. Send it anonymously, just like you asked. He got it yesterday.”
“Can’t imagine it did him any good, seeing her in your arms like that outside the hospital.”
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Roland’s face. He envisioned Sebastian’s reaction, the confusion, the anger, the doubt. It was all falling into place.
The photo of him embracing Sasha outside the hospital had been carefully staged, a perfect snapshot of intimacy and concern. Of course, Sebastian didn’t know the context.
He didn’t know that Sasha had been too distraught to notice Roland’s calculated move to comfort her, nor that the moment had been orchestrated to look far more personal than it truly was.
“Good,” Roland said. “That’s only the beginning. The second envelope is for your next assignment.”
The man opened the second envelope, his brow furrowing as he examined the contents. This time, it wasn’t cash but a single piece of paper folded neatly in half.
He unfolded it, his eyes scanning the handwritten instructions. A slow, crooked grin spread across his face as he read.
“Kidnapping, huh?” the man said, his tone laced with amusement. “Didn’t think you’d go that far.”
“Do you have a problem with it?” Roland’s voice was calm, almost eerily so.
The man shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “Nah. Just wondering why you don’t do it yourself. You seem pretty invested in this whole thing.”
Roland’s jaw tightened, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the edge of the desk.
“Because I’m not stupid,” he said icily. “I can’t risk being directly involved. That’s why I pay people like you,
to handle the dirty work.”
The man chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Fair enough. So, what’s the plan? Grab the girl and… what? Hold her for ransom? Scare her into leaving Sebastian?”
Roland’s smile returned, but it was colder this time, devoid of any warmth. “Let’s just say I have my reasons. You don’t need to know the details. All you need to do is follow the instructions to the letter. Do that, and you’ll be rewarded handsomely.”
The man folded the paper and tucked it into his pocket, nodding slowly. “Alright, boss. You’ve got yourself a deal. But just so we’re clear, this isn’t gonna be cheap. Kidnapping a whole different ball game.”
Roland waved his hand dismissively. “Spare me the lecture. You’ll get your money. Just make sure you don’t screw this up.”
The man stood, slipping the envelopes into his jacket. “No worries. I’m a professional, remember? But one more thing, what if Sebastian finds out?”
Roland’s smile widened, but there was no humor in it. “He won’t. And even if he does, by the time he figures it out, it’ll be too late. Sasha will already be mine.”
The man shook his head, chuckling under his breath as he headed for the door. “You’ve got some nerve, boss. I’ll give you that.”
As the door closed behind him, Roland leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with anticipation.
Everything was unfolding perfectly. Sebastian was distracted, Sasha was vulnerable, and soon, the pieces would fall into place.
He picked up the glass of whiskey sitting on his desk, swirling the amber liquid before taking a slow sip.
His gaze drifted to the photo on his phone, the one of him and Sasha outside the hospital.
She looked so fragile in his arms, her face streaked with tears, her body leaning into him for support.
It had been a fleeting moment, but it was enough. Enough to plant the seeds of doubt in Sebastian’s mind. Enough to set the stage for what was to come.
Roland set the glass down and stood, walking over to the window. The city stretched out before him, its lights twinkling against the night sky.
He felt invincible, untouchable. Soon, everything he wanted would be his.
And if anyone tried to stand in his way, they would regret it.
As he stared out at the city, a sinister smile played on his lips. The game was far from over, and Roland intended to win-no matter the cost.