Let Me Go, Mr. Howard Chapter 280

Duke looked up at Teddy. This kind of teasing inquiry between friends was exactly what he loved.

After so many years as a mercenary, Duke had lost too many friends. Because of that, Teddy—who knew his past—touched something deeper in him.

"Of course, I got it. There's even a bonus for this job." He raised an eyebrow, a touch of pride in his expression.

"Congratulations." Teddy gave a soft laugh, but quickly sobered. "But I'm afraid you won't get a chance to spend it for a while."

Hearing that, Duke instantly understood Teddy's meaning. His face fell, his heart rate quickening. Though he'd expected this, a wave of desolation still rose in his chest.

"You're going to kill me?"

Teddy shook his head. "No, I won't kill you."

Duke blinked, the tension in his chest easing considerably. "You scared me."

"I'm turning you over to Mr. Russo. He'll deal with you." Teddy didn't comfort him, his tone remaining calm.

Just then, someone approached the glass door.

The patrol outside had noticed what looked like movement inside and sent someone to investigate.

The person who came was Seraphim—also from the Russo family.

He pulled open the glass door. Professional instinct immediately alerted him to the abnormality in Teddy's posture. His gaze lingered on the gun in the other man's hand before shifting to Duke. "Look at that—a rat slipped inside."

Duke frowned. "What's he saying?"

He didn't understand Seraphine.

Luca, who'd entered, only glanced at him before continuing to speak with Teddy.

"So? What are you planning to do with him?"

Teddy swept a glance at the bewildered Duke, who showed no intention of resisting. "Hand him to Mr. Russo. He probably knows a lot. Oh, and let Mr. Russo know—I can handle interrogating him."

They didn't have handcuffs, so they had to use a simple rope to tie Duke up.

"This guy's really a rat? Not even putting up a fight." Luca grabbed Duke's hair, looking him over. "Doesn't look injured either."

"Hey! Watch the hands!"

Having his hair suddenly yanked, even the good-natured Duke couldn't help cursing.

Luca raised an eyebrow. "Thought you didn't have a temper."

Teddy was disassembling his gun. Hearing this, he lifted his eyes to look at Luca, then at the irritated Duke.

He said nothing, only silently placed the gun components in the basket.

News of capturing someone at the villa quickly reached Seraphim.

On the plane, Marco was roused from sleep.

He sat up in bed bare-chested. The person who'd woken him was still talking.

"They caught someone in Vesperia. Should we notify Jacob?"

Marco frowned, closing his eyes briefly. "What time is it?"

"Three a.m.," came the response.

"Don't notify him. Let them sleep." Marco waved dismissively and got out of bed, being dressed by attendants. "Where's the person?"

"Still in Vesperia. Do you want them brought back overnight, or wait until tomorrow?"

Marco sat on the sofa and took a sip of ice water, finally clearing his head. "Overnight. Are there any planes available?"

"Not at the moment. We'll need to arrange dispatch."

"Arrange one." Marco leaned his head back and closed his eyes to rest a moment before continuing. "When they arrive, send them to the castle."

The speaker nodded and immediately made arrangements.

Marco had slept briefly but was now fully awake. Just as he was considering whether to wake Sebastian, he received a phone call—directly from Vesperia.

"Mr. Russo."

"Speak."

"Mr. Parker wants to participate in the interrogation."

Marco's eyebrow lifted. "Him? That's unusual. Why?"

"He didn't say, but I think he might know the intruder." The speaker deliberately lowered his voice, apparently to avoid being overheard.

Marco's eyes hardened, his expression losing its ease. After a long silence, he spoke again.

"Then let him handle the interrogation."

His tone was so casual that it left the person on the other end of the line momentarily stunned.

"What?"

The reflexive question slipped out.

"I said let him handle it," Marco repeated with a smile, his tone sounding utterly unconcerned—but his amber eyes carried a ruthless glint.

"But he—"

Clearly, this decision didn't sit well with his subordinate. The other man wanted to object again.

But Marco quickly shut that down.

"Do as I say."

Rejected repeatedly, Marco's amusement vanished, his voice turning ice-cold.

Just as he hung up, sounds came from the doorway. Marco looked up.

Sebastian stood in the doorway in a robe, his hair somewhat disheveled—clearly he'd just woken.

But his sharply defined face remained striking, somehow making even his messy hair look like a work of art.

"Did they wake you?"

Marco frowned, his tone displeased.

"No. Teddy sent me a message." Sebastian shook his head. Someone brought him a glass of ice water, but he refused it. "Get me warm water."

He walked over and sat beside Marco. The discomfort of sudden waking made his head throb. He rubbed his temples as the warm cup touched the back of his hand.

After a sip of warm water, Sebastian felt somewhat better.

"Your man wants to interrogate that guy."

Seeing Sebastian's poor color, Marco waved for someone to bring medicine while voicing his current biggest concern.

"I know."

Clearly, Teddy hadn't hidden this from anyone.

Sebastian's tone was calm, his voice clearing somewhat from the warm water.

"What's your take on this?"

Though Marco trusted Teddy, he wasn't one of his own people—how could there be real trust?

"He knows what he's doing." Sebastian clearly trusted Teddy more. Without further explanation, he left it at that single statement.

"Fine."

That put Marco's mind at ease.

"Looks like they're making moves. Just don't know what this particular move is for." Sebastian spoke quietly with his eyes closed.

"The guy never made it upstairs and wasn't carrying any communication devices. Whatever he came for, our plan hasn't been exposed."

"Let's hope so."

Sebastian spoke in a low voice. Halfway through his words, he drowsily drifted back to sleep.

He'd taken two flights in one day—the first lasting a full thirteen hours. He'd spent nearly an entire day in the air.

Though he'd flown private, it didn't reduce the exhaustion.

Scarlett didn't learn about this until the next morning.

She broke into a cold sweat almost instantly. Even though she hadn't been at that villa last night, she could imagine—if everything had gone smoothly for the intruder, she might not even be alive right now.

"Sure, you want to continue?"

Sebastian's voice suddenly sounded by her ear.

Scarlett jerked her head toward him. Her lips brushed past Sebastian's, surprise immediately fading as a flush rose to her cheeks.

Sebastian's eyes darkened. He leaned closer, his voice husky. "You can still back out now."

He'd never wanted Scarlett taking risks in the first place. If this incident scared her enough to back down, it would be worth the embellishment.

But Scarlett pressed her lips together, still stubborn. "No. I can help."

Sebastian frowned, gripping Scarlett's chin and kissing her. "Such a stubborn little thing."