Eddie’s mind was a whirlwind as he paced the floor of his dimly lit study. The weight of Axton’s ultimatum pressed heavily on his shoulders, each tick of the clock seeming to echo his anxiety. His phone buzzed on the desk, and he grabbed it, hoping for some kind of breakthrough or solution.A message from Rudolf flashed on the screen: *“Eddie, we need to discuss our next steps. Meet me at the usual place.”*Eddie’s heart sank. Meeting with Rudolf meant delving deeper into the dangerous web he was entangled in. But there was no way around it—he needed answers, and he needed them fast. He quickly composed himself, determined not to let his frustration show, and made his way to the secluded meeting spot Rudolf had designated.---The dimly lit room of the old warehouse smelled of dust and mildew. Eddie arrived to find Rudolf already waiting, a scotch in hand and a stern look on his face. The sound of his footsteps echoed off the concrete walls as he approached.“Rudolf,” Eddie greeted, t

Eddie sank into his leather armchair, the weight of the evening’s events pressing heavily on him. The silence of his penthouse seemed almost oppressive as he replayed his conversation with Bianca in his mind. Her fear, her unwillingness to talk—it all pointed to deeper, darker issues connected to Axton and the cartel. He knew he had to find out more, not just for his own sake but for Bianca's as well.He glanced at his watch; it was late, but he couldn't afford to waste any time. Eddie picked up his phone and sent a quick text to Daniel: *Need an update ASAP. This is more urgent than I thought.* Then, he turned his attention to the files on his desk—documents related to the project with Axton and the cartel. He knew that any clue could be the key to unraveling the mystery.The next morning, Eddie was at his desk early, his coffee growing cold as he sifted through the documents. His phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Daniel: *I’ve gathered some information on Axton’s operatio

Eddie drove through the quiet streets, his mind racing with thoughts of the plan he and Bianca had just discussed. The weight of their conversation pressed on him heavily, but he knew there was no turning back now. As he pulled up to his apartment building, he resolved to take immediate action.The next morning, Eddie wasted no time. He made a series of phone calls to old contacts and allies, people who had once worked for or against Axton. Information was key, and he needed to know everything about Axton's current operations, his weaknesses, and his plans."Eddie," came a voice on the other end of one of the calls. It was Tony, an old associate who had once been deeply embedded in the cartel world. "Long time no speak. What brings you back into the fold?""I need information, Tony," Eddie said, his tone serious. "It's about Axton. I need to know everything you can tell me about his current operations."Tony hesitated. "That's a dangerous path you're treading, my friend. Axton's not o

"You're not going to like this," Eddie said into his phone, his voice low and cautious as he navigated through the evening traffic. He could practically hear the tension crackling through the line.“What now, Eddie?” came Jennifer’s weary voice from the other end. She was always the first to brace herself whenever Eddie said something like that. She’d learned to expect nothing less from their complicated lives.“I had a little chat with Frank.” Eddie’s tone was laced with something she couldn’t quite place—maybe satisfaction, or maybe something closer to anxiety.“What kind of chat?” Jennifer asked, her voice sharp. “Don’t tell me you went after him alone.”“I had to,” Eddie replied, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. “He left me no choice. The man was trying to ruin everything. But don’t worry, I’ve got leverage now.”&ld

Eddie drove through the dark streets of the city, his mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming days. The conversation with Frank had gone as well as he could have hoped, but the uncertainty still gnawed at him. He knew Frank wouldn’t make his decision lightly, and that meant Eddie had to be prepared for whatever came next.As he pulled into his driveway, the familiar sight of his modest home did little to ease the tension building in his chest. He had gotten himself tangled in something far bigger than he had anticipated. Aligning with Axton had its advantages, but it also meant playing a dangerous game. One wrong move, and he could lose everything.Eddie entered his house and poured himself a drink, the amber liquid burning slightly as it went down. He needed to think. Frank was a wild card, and there was no telling how he would react. If Frank agreed to join Axton, it would solidify Eddie’s position, but if he refused, Eddie would need a backup plan—and fast.His thoughts were inte