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“I could be lying to you.”

“It wouldn’t be in your best interest if you did.”

Did that mean he had a chance to escape this mess? Did they see him as a tool like the Russos had? Were they considering the use of an outsider to do some dirty jobs?

“Will they come looking for you if you don’t report in?”

“Doubt they’d care,” Reaper answered. “They’ll just hire the next guy.”

“Why are they attacking us? What’s their endgame?”

For fuck’s sake. The pain was so bad he could hardly think. “I’m hanging here like a piñata. I could answer questions easier if I had my feet on the floor.”

The man questioning him released a sharp bark. “Do you think I care about your comfort? You’ve been killing my people.”

There it was…the confirmation. “You’re tied to the Chens.”

The man bowed his head and introduced himself. “Sheng Chen. You seem to be good at what you do, Mr. Daniels. It took some effort to figure out who the Russos hired as a hitman.”

“I’ll take the compliment.”

“I don’t care if you do or don’t. I want to know the Russos’ goal.”

“You’d have to ask them.”

“I’m asking you.”

“And I’m asking you to let me down. It’s difficult to think when I’m in such pain.”

“I have no sympathy for you after what you’ve done to our organization.”

That was a valid opinion. “I have nothing personal against your organization. I’m just a hired gun.”

“Why did they hire you?” Sheng demanded.

“I need some motivation to answer your questions.”

“Having your breath still entering and exiting your lungs should be motivation enough.”

He reluctantly admitted to himself that was a plus. “But for how long will that continue to occur?”

“That’s up to you. Be an asset or don’t.” Chen shrugged.

“I don’t have access to their inner circle or their reasonings. Even if I did, I’d be in the same predicament.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. How will you know unless you answer my questions?”

Of course Reaper was going to answer them, but he needed to appear as if he wasn’t going to give up any information easily. A bit of resistance would make his story more believable.

“I don’t have all day, Mr. Daniels. And I’m sure you don’t want to hang around longer than you have to, either.”

The man had fucking jokes! However, Reaper didn’t find any of this funny.

“I don’t.”

“Then, tell me, why are the Russos making trouble?”

Making trouble was an interesting way to put it.