Chapter 37
AXEL’S POV:
The flashlight’s beam cut through the dimness, revealing rows of neatly stacked bags, each meticulously labeled. I opened one, inspecting the dried herbs within. They were fragile, their leaves a unique shade of deep green with veins that shimmered faintly under the light. This plant was rare–found only in the most remote corners of the world. Its value lay in its potential, though few knew the extent of it.
Satisfied, I exited the container, stripping off the gear and tossing it aside.
Bruno stood a few inches away. His short, stout frame seemed to expand, taking up more space than his actual size warranted. His broad shoulders and barrel chest strained against the seams of his tight–fitting shirt, giving him a faintly menacing appearance.
His overbearing presence was suffocating. The faint scent of his overpowering cologne further amplifying his already overwhelming presence.
His very proximity was almost unbearable. I hated it.
“Everything’s in order,” I announced.
Bruno clapped his hands together, grinning. “Glad to hear it! So, about my payment…”
Ryan handed me an iPad, and I swiftly authorized the transfer. The transaction was instant, cryptocurrency ensuring no paper trail. “Done,” I said, showing Bruno the confirmation.
“Perfect,” he drawled. “Looks like I’m buying that house in the Bahamas after all. And maybe some… company for the night, if you catch my drift.”
“I don’t care if you jump off a cliff,” I replied flatly. “Just make sure the next shipment arrives on time.”
“I’ve been thinking,” he said, his tone too casual.
“Don’t hurt yourself,” I replied.
Bruno laughed, the sound grating. “Come on, Axel. You’re always so serious. Lighten up a little.”
“Get to the point.”
Bruno’s grin widened, and I knew whatever he was about to say would piss me off.
Bruno’s grin faltered, his tone turning serious. “You know, Axel, I’ve always wondered why you’re so interested in these herbs. Most of my clients want the usual–drugs, jewels, people. But you? You’ve got a one–track mind for plants.”
I stiffened, my patience wearing thin. “Where are you going with thi Bruno?”
“Well,” he said, drawing out the word, “I couldn’t help but do a little digging.”
Every muscle in my body went rigid. “You what?”
Bruno held up his hands in mock surrender. “Relax! I just took a small sample, you know? For quality control. Hadested. Turns out, this little plant of yours is worth way more than you’re paying me.”
“Bruno,” I said, my voice low and lethal. “You crossed a line.” I fought the urge to rip him apart. “You’ve breached my trust,
Bruno,”
“I know, I know,” he said, shrugging. “But hey, business is business, right?”
1/2
Chapter 37
I said nothing, maintaining my composure.
84%
Bruno’s grin stretched wider as he leaned in, his voice dripping with smugness. “If you want the next shipment, you’ll settle for the new price. Otherwise, I’ll make it public knowledge that these herbs have properties capable of slowing the growth of cancer. My best guess? They’re the secret ingredient in MedixGen’s highly coveted cancer medication. Do you know how many people would pay anything to get their hands on this?” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before adding. “But because we’ve been in business for a while, I’ll trust you to make it right.”
Ryan shifted beside me, his expression taut. He caught my eye and signaled, silently asking if I wanted him to take Bruno out. I shook my head. Bruno might have been an arrogant bastard, but he wasn’t stupid. He had leverage. We needed to find out who he’d talked to and what kind of evidence he might have stashed away.
I clenched my jaw and asked, “What’s the new price?”
Bruno’s face lit up with triumph. “Now you’re talking. First, I want eight hundred million dollars, split into four accounts I’ll direct you to. Second, I want twenty percent of the shares in MedixGen. And lastly, after the final shipment, I’m out. I’ll start producing my own products. Who knows? Maybe we can even become partners.”
Ryan, who usually stayed quiet and practically invisible during transactions, couldn’t hold back.
He bristled beside me, his hand hovering near the concealed holster at his–hip. “You’re out of your damn mind, Bruno. This is ridiculous, Bruno!” he snapped.
I held up a hand, silencing him. My eyes remained locked on Bruno’s, unblinking.
Bruno turned to him with a sneer, his eyes gleaming with condescension. “For running your mouth, the price just went up to one billion dollars for the next–and last–shipment.”
I bit down hard, the muscles in my jaw tightening as I fought the urge to put a bullet between his eyes. This wasn’t the kind of complication I wanted to deal with, but Bruno had just made himself a problem I couldn’t ignore.
With infuriating ease, Bruno stepped closer and patted my shoulder lightly, as if we were old friends. “I’ll be in touch, Axel. I trust you’ll make the right decision. And don’t do anything… intense.” His tone was laced with mockery as he turned and sauntered away, his swagger as irritating as the situation he’d just created.
As Bruno retreated, barking orders to his men, I turned back to Ryan. “Get the shipment secured. I want it out of here within the hour.”
He nodded, already moving to carry out my instructions.
I headed for my helicopter, seeing the towering cranes groaning as they maneuvered colossal containers onto an array of trucks waiting below.
The distant sound of the rotating blades grew louder as I approached. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, Logan’s name flashing on the screen.
“What?” I snapped, my patience
The distant sound of the rotating blades grew louder as I approached. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, Logan’s name flashing on the screen.
“What?” I snapped, my patience frayed.
