Gearbound: Cyberpunk 2077-Chapter 161

Jackie understood Leo's good intentions but shook his head in refusal.

"No, Leo, thanks, but I can't take that."

He knew about Leo's dealings with Padre and realized he wouldn't be much help there. How could he, in good conscience, just tag along and split profits he never earned?

"Security consultant?"

The product was Padre's; previously, when the 6th Street Gang tried something shady in Heywood, they ended up leaving behind a stack of bodies, enough to scare off any other troublemakers. There wasn't really a need for extra 'security.'

Jackie saw it for what it was: Leo's way of giving him money without hurting his pride, but Jackie wasn't some musclehead who couldn't see through that. Sure, some money was easy to take, but if it came from a friend in that way, it felt wrong. Taking money for doing nothing would make him a freeloader.

Eventually, Jackie let out a heavy sigh.

"Sorry, Leo. You and V—and Lucy—should walk away. You're right: this job's way too risky, and you've got a bright future. No reason to get tangled up in it."

"What about you, Jackie?"

"I'm still betting on this," he said. "Maybe it's the opportunity the Lord's handed me. If I don't grab it, I might never see another chance like it." He paused and added, "If we're friends, please don't talk me out of it."

He didn't know the exact value of a biochip only the rich could afford, but he knew high-end braindance movies sometimes raked in hundreds of millions, even billions. A chip like that had to be worth at least that much, right? Even if it topped out at a billion, and Dexter was paying him thirty percent, that would mean three hundred million—enough to give Misty and his mother a good life.

Jackie forced a smile. "Hey, don't worry about me. I survived all the bloodshed in the Valentinos, so this job—just snatching some chip—should be fine. Arasaka's just a bigger gang, right?"

Leo and V exchanged a look. In each other's eyes, they saw the same thought. Leo called Lucy, explained things briefly, and got her input as well.

He turned to Jackie again. "You're set on this? Not changing your mind?"

"Nope."

"In that case, V and I won't try to stop you."

Jackie couldn't hide a moment of disappointment. He tried to act casual, though it was painfully obvious how he really felt.

"All right, guess I'll go find Dexter, while he's still at the bar—maybe I can mooch some free drinks off him. You two heading home?"

He tried to sound relaxed, not wanting them to see his mixed feelings. Yet Jackie was terrible at masking his emotions, which only made his forced nonchalance feel oddly endearing.

"V," Leo said, "don't you think it's too early for us to leave?" freewēbnoveℓ.com

V nodded. "Yeah, way too early."

Jackie blinked. "You guys..."

"What are you standing around for?" Leo tugged Jackie with one hand and V with the other. "Dex is about to come back any second, right? So how are you gonna score free drinks if he leaves?

C'mon, c'mon, GOGOGO!"

Taking the lead, Leo inwardly sighed. Even if he, V, and Lucy bowed out, Jackie was determined to stay and chase this 'big gig.' Leo didn't blame him. As the line from The Great Gatsby goes: "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that not everyone has had the advantages you've had."

Jackie wasn't like him; he didn't have other ways to make money, so when a chance like this came, he refused to let it slip. If Leo forced him to walk away, he'd spend the rest of his life in regret. Since Jackie wanted to try, Leo and V would go with him.

........

..

.

They stepped out just in time to see Dexter heaving himself off a booth near the bar—a feat akin to an Olympic event for someone weighing over three hundred pounds. Noticing Leo's group, he grinned. "Mr. Leo, you've all...come to a decision?"

"We have," Leo replied. "We'll do the job. But before that, Dexter, you mind buying us a drink?"

Dexter spread his arms. "Why would I mind? Order anything you like."

Leo smiled. "Great. V, Jackie, no need to hold back."

Jackie found a seat at the bar. "Give me a Tequila Old Fashioned, with a splash of beer and chili flakes."

V remained standing beside Leo and signaled to the bartender. "A Johnny Silverhand for me."

Leo raised a brow. "What the hell's that?"

V answered, "A local special. Named after that rockerboy who took on Arasaka decades ago. But here at Afterlife, you mention 'Johnny Silverhand' and the bartender'll know the recipe he left behind."

Jackie, in a good mood, tapped the bar. "Hey, Leo, break tradition just this once?"

Leo shook his head. He turned to Claire behind the bar. "A cola for me, with ice."

Jackie groaned, throwing his hands up. "You serious? What are you, allergic to fun?"

Behind his shades, Dexter's eyes glimmered. "Mr. Leo doesn't drink, huh?"

"I'm not into booze or smokes."

"Heh, a real saint, are we?"

"Hardly. Everyone's got their own tastes."

...

After a round of drinks, they returned to the private suite and found seats again.

"All right," Dexter said. "Since you're on board, let's continue. The Flathead is key to getting the Relic, but that's not all. There's another crucial step."

He turned toward Leo. "Mr. Leo, I need you to meet with our client. She has all the intel on the Relic. And she specifically asked to see you—only you."

"A woman?" Leo frowned. "And what's her name?"

"Evelyn Parker. Ring a bell?"

"It does, actually."

Dexter put on a knowing smirk. "Just a little bit, huh?"

Leo picked up on the subtext. "Dex, what are you getting at?"

"Nothing, nothing. Just that when Parker mentioned you, she sounded pretty upset...like a woman who'd been dumped."

Dexter slipped off his shades. "Pardon my bluntness, Mr. Leo. You wouldn't happen to have some past...entanglement with this lady?"

Before Leo could answer, there was a sharp crack. V had clenched her glass too hard without realizing—and it snapped in her hand, shards spilling across the table. The room went still for a beat, everyone jolting at the sudden noise.

"You cut your hand," Leo said, seeing the blood. He grabbed some clean water and bandages. V turned away, hiding her injured hand. Leo reached out to her. "Don't be stubborn. Give me your hand."

Dexter, for all his size, looked uneasy. V had been so quiet until now—like Leo's shadow—and he'd paid her little mind. The mention of Evelyn Parker triggered a jarring reaction.

Could it be...? Dexter glanced from V to Leo. It wasn't uncommon for teammates to grow close after braving danger together. A case of the "suspension bridge effect," perhaps. If he'd known V and Leo were a couple, he never would've joked about Parker in front of her. Feeling awkward, Dexter cleared his throat.

"Wow, Ms. V, you've got quite the grip."

Jackie gave a nervous laugh. V stood there, face cold, while Leo tended to her wound. Jackie scratched his head and changed the topic.

"Hey, Dexter, I've got a question. When do we get down to talking about what everyone really wants to know?"