Chapter 546


    Losing a leg was equal to death. Robbie was just 28, still young. Without a leg, what kind of life would


    he have?


    Darian pulled a contract out of a brown paper bag, gave it a shake, andid it in front of Robbie to


    sign.


    Robbie wouldn’t sign, so one of the henchmen snapped his fingers like twigs. The pain turned Robbie’s


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    face ghostly white and his eyes rolled back. In the end, the man pressed Robbie’s hand down to


    scribble a signature on the dotted line. It was pretty much an IOU, with the use that he’d lose a leg to


    clear his debt.


    Darian didn’t do bad business. If a guy couldn’t pay up, he’d make it look like an ident for the


    insurance boys. He would cripple a leg of him, and the payout would go straight into Darian’s pocket.


    Robbie watched as a hammer hovered over his kneecap. The impending agony was almost tangible.


    But then, a fierce knocking at the door shattered the moment. Everyone froze, and Robbie, facing a


    reprieve from the reaper, exhaled in relief.


    Darian shot a look to one of his crew, who went to answer the door.


    Hughes was standing there when the door swung open. He stepped inside. “Darian, long time no see.”


    Darian, recognizing Hughes, waved his hand nonchntly. The henchmen released Robbie. Robbie


    burst into tears. “Hughes, save me, man. I’ll do anything, anything you say!”


    Hughes and Robbie weren’t close. They were just acquaintances really. Robbie was just a street punk


    who frequented Hughes’ bar. Hughes preferred to stay out of the messy side of things. But today, he


    had made a promise to ady, to find Robbie for her. Darian eyed Hughes. “Mr. Hughes, what brings


    you here?”


    “I’ve got business,” Hughes said, nodding at Robbie. “I’m taking him with me. Name your price,


    Darian.”


    Darian sized Hughes up. It was odd that Hughes would want to pay for Robbie since they weren’t


    exactly close. But Darian was all about the cash. “200 grand, and he’s yours.”


    Robbie gasped. “200 grand? But Darian, you said it was 100!”


    Darian flicked his cigarette ash. “That was the old price, days ago.”


    Robbie, afraid Hughes might leave him to his fate, clutched desperately at Hughes’ pant leg. “Mr.


    Hughes, I swear, if you bail me out, I’ll be Azure’s loyal servant. Whatever you need!”


    Hughes told Darian, “The money will be wired to your ount, and I’m taking him with me.”


    No bloodshed and a full pocket? Darian was pleased. “Send Mr. Hughes out,” he said to his


    henchmen.


    Two thugs helped Robbie, who was still shaky from the ordeal and unable to walk, down to the ground


    floor and out the back door. As soon as they let go, Robbie copsed, wetting himself. But there was no


    shame in his eyes, only relief. Survival trumped dignity.


    Hughes lit a smoke. “I didn’t save you for nothing. Remember, you said you’d be Azure’s muscle. But


    just as you know, Azure isn’t


    short of that.”


    Robbie was quick to reassure. “Mr. Keh, wherever you need me, consider it done. My life’s yours!”


    To Hughes, 200 grand was just pocket change. He tossed Robbie into the car and nced at his


    watch. It was 7:45 now. He was 45 minuteste for his meet-up with the woman from the bar. He


    wondered if she’d still be there.


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