The taxi pulled up to the “Mum’s the Word” motel.
Levi stepped out into a haze of neon pink light, stepping over grime-streaked concrete and dodging layers of street-kid graffiti.
He found the door Meredith had specified and knocked.
The door clicked open.
Behind a heavy plastic privacy curtain, he stepped inside.
Meredith was waiting.
She was draped in lace lingerie, her legs—encased in sleek leather—crossed on the heart-shaped bed.
She wore spiked chokers on her neck and wrists, and a cigarette dangled from her lips.
She watched him with a predatory, expectant smile.
“Didn’t expect to be alone, did you?” she teased.
“I didn’t.
But we are here for business, aren’t we?” Levi didn’t waste a second.
He walked over, sat down, and pulled her close, his arm wrapping around her waist.
If she was going to play the part of a vixen, he’d be a fool to play the gentleman.
Besides, looking at her, he knew he was the one getting the better end of the deal.
“Mm…” Meredith let out a soft sound.
“Business can wait.
Other things can’t.
I’m very satisfied with you, Levi.
Truly.
Are you sure about not joining Militech?
I could be your internal referral.” She brushed a leather-clad leg against his.
Levi caught her ankle, pulling her leg onto his lap.
“Join Militech?
Pass.
I’m not interested in being a corporate cog.” The tension in the room shattered into chaos.
The bed frame groaned, and the motel room filled with the sounds of their shared intensity.
Two hours later, Meredith lay against Levi’s chest, breathless, her skin flushed with a radiance he’d never seen before.
“Levi,” she whispered, “what was this business you mentioned?
The one involving Arasaka?” Levi took the cigarette from her fingers and took a long drag.
“When I hit Night City, a Scavenger crew tried to harvest my organs.
I got lucky—not only did I kill them, but I also iced the secretary of a high-ranking Arasaka exec.
The secretary’s name was Terunosuke Kojii.
He was shopping for organs for Ichikawa Naoji, the Deputy Director of Security for Arasaka Night City.” “That old bastard!” Meredith’s eyes widened, though she quickly smoothed her expression into a mask of professional allure.
“So…
our business involves him?” “Exactly.
Militech and Arasaka are at each other’s throats.
You have a chance to take down the number two of Arasaka Security and crush their reputation in the process.
Don’t you think your superiors would appreciate that?” It was a perfect play.
He was leveraging the influence of a Militech Director-level operative to secure a victory that V couldn’t achieve alone.
It was a three-way win: V gained a foothold, Meredith gained prestige, and Levi removed a threat.
Meredith thought it over, a cold, calculated light flickering in her eyes.
“Levi, I’m in.
What’s the plan?” Levi outlined the strategy he’d discussed with V.
As he spoke, his hand traced her hip, and he felt her breathing hitch.
By the time he finished, she was looking at him with a mix of shock and genuine desire.
She couldn’t find a single flaw in the logic.
“You’re too smart to stay a solo, Levi,” she sighed.
“If you joined us, you’d have a seat on the Board of Directors within a decade.” Levi chuckled, offering no comment.
Being a corporate grunt in his past life was one thing—a steady paycheck, weekends off, annual leave—but being a corporate slave in this hellhole?
He’d rather be dead.
Hell, the “best” company in Night City was Kang Tao, and they literally owned your life for fifty years.
He snatched the cigarette back and gave her hip a playful, firm squeeze.
“Again?” she purred into his ear.
“If you insist.” By morning, Levi was alone.
A light touch on his face woke him, and he found a card resting on his chest: the Militech logo and Meredith’s private number.
He stood, stretched, and dialed his contact.
Jackie’s face popped into his optical display, beaming with that classic, infectious optimism.
“Whoa, Mano!
Did you go to Clouds last night?
And you didn’t bring your brother?” “What’s up, Jackie?” Levi bypassed the jab.
“Hah!
I’ve got a massive gig, brother.
You in?” “A big one, huh?” Levi smiled.
“Where to?” “The Coyote Cojo!” “No problem.
I’m on my way.” “Hurry up!
I’ve got someone I need to introduce you to—you’re gonna love her!” — Don’t forget to send Spirit Stones for more chapters.
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