Something worse than what happened with Lynx is the realization that Frankie had heard EVERYTHING. He doesn’t know what to think, wondering if Frankie had told Taylor anything which would end up blowing up in his face and it would really be a mess. 

Taylor hasn’t said anything though, so it makes Cory wonder what has even been said. Frankie is perched in one of the booths, paperwork laid out in front of him, and he has a laptop as well. On some of the papers, he notices Lynx’s name on there and it makes him wonder what is going to end up happening.

“Frankie told me that it seems like the owner has taken a special interest in you.” Taylor murmurs, making Cory stiffen because he has no idea what is going to end up happening next, “I don’t know if it is a good idea for you to keep working at the Underground. It is dangerous.”

Frankie’s eyes meet Cory’s, and it is like he is looking straight into Cory’s soul. Something tells Cory that Frankie didn’t tell Taylor all of it thankfully, but it is still embarrassing for Frankie to hear what had happened to him.

It's crazy, Cory knew that.

Cory was aching for a lot more, to try to get to Judas before it ends up being an even bigger mess. Nothing is going right for him, and he knows that if he quits working there, it is no way that he is going to get Judas back. It’s not going to matter what he ends up doing. It would just be a disaster in the making.

“You really don’t have to go along with this plan.” Frankie says, typing away on his computer, “it might take a little more time, but we can figure out another way to get your brother back. You don’t have to get into the crossfires of what that bastard might end up doing to you since he has given you special attention. No one wants to be there because they would end up getting hurt.”

Taylor nods his head in agreement.

Cory knows that they are right, but he also knows that he made a promise and if goes back on his word, then there is no way that Judas would be protected. A lot more would end up coming from it and it terrifies Cory to think that if he does anything, Judas would be in danger and Cory would no longer be able to protect him. 

“I need to keep doing this.” Cory murmurs, rising to his feet as he hears the bell of the door going off, “if I back down, then there’s no way that Judas will be protected. I don’t want to worry about myself right now because I have no idea what is happening to my brother. I can handle this.”

Cory turns around, about to put on his best customer-service smile but he freezes when he sees who has walked through the door.

Dressed head-to-toe in black, a long trench coat on that fits him perfectly is Lynx. Lynx has his hands in his pockets, looking around curiously like this is something that he has never seen before. Maybe he has never pictured being at the attention of anyone like this. When Lynx’s eyes meet Cory’s, a weird light appears on Lynx’s face, and it makes Cory’s heart skip a beat.

“There you are.” Lynx murmurs, moving closer and Cory can’t help but notice how everyone’s attention is on him, like he knows that he is the beast that should be avoided, “I have been looking for you.”

Cory licks his bottom lip, fiddling with his apron a little bit because he knows how intimidating Lynx is, “what are you doing here? This is my other job; I don’t want you bothering me here.”

A predatory smile spreads across Lynx’s face, and he slips one of his hands out of his pocket, reaching out for Cory. Cory isn’t sure what is going to end up happening until Lynx ends up grabbing his ass, making Cory jump in the process. It is still a little sore from the spanking he had received and it’s like Lynx is trying to remind him of everything that had just happened between them. 

“How is your butt?” Lynx asks him, a smirk on his face now, “I was disappointed that you wouldn’t let me rub any numbing cream on it. It would have helped you a lot more.”

Cory exhales slowly, tempted to punch Lynx but he is worried about the repercussions of what might happen to him, “can you please stop touching my butt? We’re not at the Underground right now.”

Surprisingly, Lynx does let go of Cory’s butt but instead, he brushes a lock of Cory’s hair behind his ear. Cory doesn’t know how to handle the gentle touch, like he means something to Lynx when there is no way that it would even be possible. Why is Lynx treating Cory like they have some kind of relationship? It doesn’t make any sense right now and it is making Cory feel more nervous.

“I guess I will see you tonight then.” Lynx murmurs, lightly brushing his fingers against Cory’s cheek.

Before Cory can say anything else, Lynx is already turning away and walking out of the café. Cory is just left there, stunned because he didn’t expect anything else to happen like this. It’s like Lynx showed up specifically to see Cory and leave quite quickly afterwards. Cory isn’t sure what he is going to do but Frankie grabs Cory’s wrist and yanks him over to the table.

“You have to be extra careful with that man, Cory.” Frankie murmurs, showing Cory photos of what Lynx Romanov has done, “he is a part of the Mafia, a cold-blooded killer and being a part of his life is just going to end up getting you killed. I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Cory looks over the photos, seeing the aftermath of fires, death, and destruction. Cory really has no idea why Frankie is showing him this because it seems like something only the police should be able to see.

Cory has already figured out what kind of person Lynx Romanov is, a dangerous man who could easily do whatever he pleases. Lynx makes Cory a little weak in the knees, like he is planning to take everything over and he is holding nothing back either. Cory knows that he has to get through this, and it seems like Lynx is going to be the person that he is going to have to use to get there.

Hopefully, at least.