Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Charles was buried in paperwork when his phone buzzed. He hit answer, sounding irritated. "Yeah? Who's this?"

Whatever the caller said made him freeze. "Richard wants to work with us now? Wasn't he acting all high and mighty before? And now he wants to borrow my Number One and Number Two? Dream on. My dogs aren't for loan. Do you have any idea what they mean to me? I've turned down offers in the billions. Those two

He stopped mid-sentence, listening as the person continued. Charles frowned. "Hold up, what's the name again? Clara? A woman? Clara?"

He couldn't help but laugh. What a twist-family not recognizing their own.

"Have Richard call me directly. I don't just want a short-term deal for this sea route. I want long-term cooperation. And from now on, any Chester family projects in Country Z―he needs to clear the way for us."

Honestly, just locking in the shipping deal would've been enough. The green light for future projects? That was a last-minute demand-if Richard agreed, all the better. If not, handing over Clara would at least get the sea route open.

Since Richard took charge of the maritime shipping lines in Country Z, he'd swept through the industry like a storm, clearing out anyone in his way. The Chester family wanted into the Country Z market, and the only way was through Richard. Charles's big brother Mitch had sent him for exactly this reason.

He'd barely set foot in Country Z, and by pure luck-saving some woman-he was suddenly this close to sealing the deal.

Funny how you can search everywhere, and the answer just lands in your lap.

Richard hadn't thought of Charles's dogs for nothing. Back when he was overseas, he'd already heard all about Charles. Negotiations for the shipping lines had stalled, so the Chester family sent Charles to break the deadlock.

He knew Charles's reputation. Years ago, when a foreign prince was kidnapped, it was Charles's two dogs who tracked him down and brought him back. Rumor had it those dogs were bred in a lab, raised on special formulas, smart enough to seem almost otherworldly.noveldrama

Now Charles was in Country Z, looking for Clara-of course he'd want his dogs involved.

What Richard didn't expect was how tough Charles would play.

The Warren family had strong ties at the top, but that made them easy targets for scrutiny. Gray area business? Out of the question.

If the Chester family moved into Country Znobody knew what industry they'd disrupt. Giving them a green light could shake up entire markets, and if things got messy, Richard would be the one blamed.

Still, he called Charles and got straight to the point. "Can you find her?"

Charles patted his Number One, grinning. If she's alive, they'll find her. Hell, even if she's not-if she's dead and in pieces, Number One and Number Two will track down every last bit and piece her back together."

Before he'd finished flexing, his phone rang again. This time it was Dylan.

Was today National Call Charles Day or something? Two of Country Z's biggest

names in his contacts-he almost felt flattered.

"Man, did you all coordinate this or what?"

He was still on with Richard, so he got to the point. "Are we on or not?"

Richard rubbed his temples. "Halfway. Don't get greedy."

"Deal. I'll get her to you in three days."

He hung up with Richard and called Dylan back right away.

Dylan didn't even know Charles was in the Capital. He cut straight to the chase: "Where are the dogs?"

Charles leaned on one hand, puzzled. "Hey Dylan, how'd you even get my number? We've only met once, right?"

To Charles, Dylan was up there with

big brother Mitch-untouchable. Charles himself was just a servantzin the Chester family, even if he treated Mitch like real family. Outsiders never took him seriously. He'd cause trouble and run wild, but nobody ever held the Chester family

responsible. He could be Mitch's sword, no questions asked.

He wasn't used to being noticed. So why did these two suddenly need him?

"Ship them over. I need help finding someone."