20k Rolin

Chapter 22: The Job Offer (0x22TJO)

Jamie sits in the quiet corner of a dimly lit bar, nursing his second glass of whiskey. His mind keeps wandering back to his last conversation with Emma—the argument, the tension that hung between them like a fog neither of them could cut through. He clenches his jaw, pushing the memory aside for now. There’s no space for that here, not when he’s about to dive deeper into the underworld.

The bar door swings open, and in walks Lyle, his casual demeanor clashing with the gravity Jamie feels tightening around him. Lyle saunters over, his signature smirk plastered on his face as if the world outside is nothing more than a game to be played.

"Jamie, my man," Lyle says, sliding into the booth across from him. "Got a job that’ll make us both a nice payday. Interested?"

Jamie glances at him, his thoughts still on Emma, on how distant their relationship has become. But Lyle’s here now, and he can’t afford to let his personal life bleed into this world. He nods, knowing full well that anything