CHAPTER 858: CHAPTER 857

After a while, Horace rang up, "Hey Hunter, I got some intel. The guy who popped Sam was called Viper.

He’s a regular at the Gentleman’s Club, who usually shows up on Wednesday or Friday nights.

Sometimes he carries a bag with him, which was puffed up before he goes in, but deflated when he leaves. Looks like he’s making some shady deals."

"Can you dig up a list of the usual suspects at the club when Viper is in attendance?"

"Sure thing." After Horace gave his report, he added, "Look, Boss, Viper skipped his club visit last week and didn’t show up this past Wednesday. It’s Friday tonight. Maybe we hit the jackpot if we swing by?"

"Let’s do it."

"Alright, I’ll swing by to pick you up at 7."

After hanging up, Rosemary told Romeo she had to step out for the night and suggested he hang out with some buddies.

"I’ll just wait for you at the hotel."

He had just met with friends earlier that day and felt not in the mood for more socializing. He preferred to wait for her at the hotel, ready to lend a hand if needed.

As the clock neared seven, Romeo wanted to ask her about her plans, about how many of her crew would be with her, and whether they were up against a big group, but he feared prying too much would upset her.

Seeing that he tried to speak several times but stopped, while frequently checking the time, clearly reluctant to see her go, Rosemary couldn’t help but smile at his concern.

"Don’t worry, it’s just a little apprehension."

With her skills, she wasn’t the one who should be worried.

"When do you think you’ll be back? I’ll order some late-night snacks for us." Romeo reached out to touch her face. Even knowing her capabilities, he couldn’t help but worry about her every time she

stepped out on a job.

"If I’m not back by midnight, go ahead and get some sleep."

"Is the target that tough to catch?"

"Not tough, just there are a lot of unknowns, like it’s not clear if that guy will show up tonight, and whether he’ll meet with his cronies. If he’s planning to hit a spot, we might get a lead on their hideout,

maybe even the big fish behind it all. If that happens, I might not be back so soon."

Romeo’s eyes dimmed at the thought, as the danger she might face weighed on him.

Right then, a rapid knock on the door broke the tension.

"I’ll get it," Romeo volunteered, "Go get changed."

She always switched into casual wear for her outings, tying her long hair up into a bun.

As the door swung open, the person outside blurted out, "Boss."

Seemingly caught off guard by Romeo answering the door, Horace paused, with his eyes widening, as he saw Romeo in his white robe and figured he probably lived here.

Horace’s eyes bulged as he peered around, but he didn’t spot his boss.

What was going on here?

Had they just been?

"Come in," Romeo said, making a commanding presence despite his politeness; Horace hesitated and was clearly intimidated.

They had been introduced over video before, but seeing Romeo in person was something else.

Romeo had quite the aura.

Spotting no sign of his boss in the living room, Horace couldn’t help but say, "Mr. McMillian, I came to pick up my boss.."

"She’s changing," Romeo gestured for him to take a seat, "What’ll you have?"

"Nothing for me, thanks." Horace swallowed hard, not daring to have Romeo wait on him. He quickly added, "I grabbed something on the way over."

"You’re joining Rose on her job tonight?" Even so, Romeo poured him a cup of coffee.

Horace stood up quickly, taking the cup with both hands and profusely thanking him.

Oh man, this was coffee poured by Romeo himself, brought over by his own hands.

If it weren’t for his boss, he never would’ve believed he’d be treated like this.

"She was treading carefully, not wanting to spook anyone. So she only brought me along. But rest assured, Mr. McMillian, I’d lay down my life to protect her."

"Both of you come back in one piece, you hear it?"

"Absolutely!" Horace replied and soon realized he’d started to think of Romeo as his boss, as he answered him with such ease.

Just then, Rosemary emerged, all dressed and ready. Romeo poured her a cup of coffee and handed it over.

"It’s nippy out there. Have some coffee to warm up before you go."

Rosemary looked at Horace, who quickly mouthed ’I didn’t spill anything!’

After she finished her coffee, Romeo added, "If you need anything while you’re out, just holler for me."

"Will do." Rosemary, not wanting him to wait up, said, "If I’m not back by midnight, don’t wait up. Just hit the hay."

"Okay." Romeo tousled her hair gently. "Be safe."

With a nod to Horace, Rosemary indicated it was time to leave. Horace stood up immediately, "Mr.McMillian, we should head out."

As he caught Romeo’s worried and reluctant gaze, Horace reassured him, "Don’t worry, I’ve got her back."

With a nod, Romeo saw them to the door.

Down the long corridor, Rosemary’s cool and determined silhouette grew distant .

Horace kept glancing back, and as they waited for the elevator, he could see Romeo still standing at the door and watching them.

"Boss, you sure you don’t want to have a word with Mr. McMillian? He seems kinda torn up about you leaving."

Rosemary glanced back, only to see Romeo give a little wave before he dutifully went back inside.

"Let’s focus on the task at hand."

They took the elevator down and got into the car. Remembering Romeo’s anxiousness throughout the day, Rosemary pulled out her phone and shot him a message on WhatsApp.

[Don’t worry.] It was short and sweet, typical Rosemary, but she ended it with a comforting ’pat on the head’ emoji.

Romeo, who had been in a funk, instantly felt his spirits lift.

His Rose knew he was worried!

She was comforting him in return!

And she ’patted’ his head!

Romeo was overjoyed, firing back a kiss emoji—a memento from a kiss they shared long ago, which he’d turned into a sticker.

Rosemary’s lips curved into a smile.

Horace didn’t park at the Gentlemen Club parking lot; instead, he parked on the street and helped Rosemary open the car door.

"Boss, I left the car here. If things go south, we’ll take a route without surveillance. I’ve mapped out our escape plan."

Rosemary was impressed by his efficiency—a promising talent worth nurturing.

Horace flashed a golden card at Rosemary, with an eyebrow raised.

"A club membership card? How’d you get this?"

"I got it from an old-timer member."

Horace had pulled a lot of strings for Rosemary, and therefore got to know some folks who owed him favors. Scoring a card like this wasn’t a big deal.

"It’s just on loan, though. Gotta return it later." With that, Horace led Rosemary towards the club.

The club’s entrance was manned by four male and four female staff, lined up to welcome guests.

As Horace and Rosemary ascended the steps, the staff exchanged curious glances; they were evidently unfamiliar with these new faces.

"Gentlemen Club extends a warm welcome to you both," they greeted.