Chapter 40 - Two Could Play That Game... (1/2)

Jackson, Halia and Jackson's three friends squeezed into Jackson's car together. The greasy-haired friend took the driver's seat since Jackson couldn't drive with his injured arm, while Halia and Jackson sat in the backseat, their shoulders touching. Meanwhile, the crooked teeth friend also sat in the backseat, but he was on a slight angle to avoid pressing up against Jackson's arm.

”I don't think you've been officially introduced to my three friends. They work for me and are my closest men. The one in the driver's seat is Rowan,” Jackson introduced.

Rowan glanced in the rearview mirror and waved his hand.

Jackson then pointed to the chubby man in the front passenger seat, ”That's Max.”

”And this is Kevin,” he said as he looked at the man beside him.

”We returned from France with the Boss. He took good care of us during some tough times, so we've sworn loyalty to him,” Kevin explained.

Halia smiled at the three men, but her mind was elsewhere.

”Can we talk in private?” she whispered into Jackson's ear.

Jackson nodded his head and said to Rowan, ”Drop Halia and I off at Halia's place. I'll call you to pick me up later.”

”Oooooo,” the three men teased like school kids in a playground.

”It's not what you think. We have something to discuss,” he said seriously.

The three men looked at each other and rolled their eyes as they held in their laughter.

”I'm sorry,” Jackson apologized awkwardly as he glanced at Halia.

”It's OK,” Halia blushed.

Soon, the car pulled up outside Halia's apartment block. It was a decent apartment with security and an elevator, but it was nowhere near as fancy as Jackson's place.

Jackson followed Halia up to her apartment in silence while a thousand scenarios played out in his mind. His plan was to give her a quick explanation, grab his coats and leave. The best outcome was for him to find an excuse to never see her again...or perhaps...there was a way to make her instinctively stay away from him herself. He did not want her to be drawn into his world; he should have kept his distance from the start. Not only was he dangerous for her, she was also a distraction for him. He couldn't afford to have any distractions.

As soon as they stepped foot into Halia's apartment, Halia gestured for him to sit on the sofa. ”Would you like some coffee or tea?” she asked.

”Neither, I'm not staying for long,” the man answered in a cold tone. ”So, what did you want to talk about?”

Halia was surprised by the tone of Jackson's voice; it suddenly felt like they were strangers again.

”I want to know what happened last night. How did you get the cuts on your arm if you never left the club? Why were you late? Why was Marcus Chin coincidentally found dead near the club?” Halia fired off all the questions she wanted answers to. She then paused and added, ”Why did you cancel your deal to save me at the warehouse? You're an arms dealer, not a charity worker!”