âLook, letâs just sit down and hash this out, okay? Itâs simple for you to get a free pass, but the lady here, sheâs gotta stay,â Domingo said casually, tracing his fingers across Regina Tannerâs face.
Nolanâs eyebrows were still knitted in frustration. They had never met before, and it seemed ludicrous that Domingo would pursue Regina to the ends of the earth just because she had once investigated him.
âSince everythingâs up for discussion, Domingo, why donât we sit down and talk it out? After all, we just came to check out the entertainment youâve got here,â Nolan suggested, trying to keep the atmosphere calm.
But Domingo suddenly raised his voice, âDonât try to pull a fast one on me. I said you can go, but the woman stays. Mr. Harris, Iâve been around the block enough times to know you arenât walking out of here with her today. You know, sheâs nothing special, just a pretty face. Sheâll just bring you trouble, and apart from that, I canât see whatâs so precious about her that you wonât let go.â
The goons couldnât help but focus their attention on Regina, who was trying her best to hide behind Nolan. Even through the dim lighting, her beauty was evident.
âJeez, boss, since when did you become such a connoisseur? Sheâs not just a looker; sheâs a knockout! No wonder Mr. Harris doesnât want to let go. She could give those movie stars a run for their money,â one of the henchmen joked.
Another, skinny as a monkey, laughed along, âYeah, if I had a dame like that, Iâd give anything for her.â
Reginaâs face flushed with anger. She had never imagined being appraised like merchandise by these thugs. But she knew she had to endure it, calming her breathing, not worth the anger for these types.
The two henchmen kept bantering, making light of Regina, oblivious to how the tension in Nolan was building.
âDomingo, is this how you negotiate?â Nolan chuckled, looking down before raising his eyes to meet those of the disrespectful goons. He gestured casually with his hand, âIf your boys donât learn to keep a clean mouth, I guess thereâs no point in us sitting down for a chat.â
Domingo was irked, feeling like he was losing grip over his own turf to Nolan.
While he was also annoyed by his menâs lack of decorum, joking around as if they hadnât seen a woman in ages, it was his pride that stung the most.
âMr. Harris, pampered since childhood, probably isnât accustomed to our kind of scene. But letâs get one thing straight, Mr. Harris. Youâre the one asking for a favor, not me. Iâll 08.24 handle my men â no need for you to step in. Sure, Iâm keen to see how much cash I can get from you, but you should know, money isnât everything to me, Domingo. What I want is for my boys here,â he said, his pride on full display.
They were all about face in this game, and with his henchmen under his command, Nolanâs words felt like a slap to Domingoâs ego âYeah, I forgot youâre all cut from the same cloth.â After dropping that line, Nolan disregarded Domingoâs expression and pulled Regina from behind him.
âIâm laying it out right now. Iâm walking out that door with this lady, safe and sound. Letâs see if youâve got what it takes to stop me.â
Regina looked at him, panic-stricken. They hadnât brought backup. How on earth was he planning to get her out?
She stuttered, trying to convince Nolan that he should leave alone. But then Nolan turned to her with a mischievous grin she had never seen on his face before.