Chapter 178: Beneath Loyalty
Ryan sat stiffly, his gaze fixed on the floor as if it held all the answers he’d been searching for. His leg bounced under the table, but he didn’t dare move beyond that. Eryx sat across from him, arms folded, expression unreadable and unwavering.
"I just need a few minutes," Ryan had said earlier, voice calm but pleading. "It’s important."
Eryx didn’t flinch. "You’re not going anywhere."
That was ten minutes ago. And now they were still waiting though for who, Ryan wasn’t sure. All he knew was that Eryx had said, "Stay put. Someone’s coming." And that was that.
The silence stretched, only broken by the distant hum of the café’s machines and the occasional clink of plates and cups. Ryan could feel the weight of Eryx’s stare even when he wasn’t looking. Every second felt like a slow countdown to judgment.
"Sir," a voice interrupted, brisk and familiar.
Callum approached the table, standing upright like he was reporting in. But the moment his eyes met Ryan’s, something shifted. Both froze, their eyes widening in mutual recognition.
"You..." Ryan murmured, rising slightly from his seat. "What are you doing here?"
Callum’s throat tightened. "Ryan?"
Eryx leaned back in his chair, arms folded. He didn’t look surprised. If anything, he looked... disappointed.
"So," Eryx said coolly, "you do know each other."