The man''s hand rested on her slender waist.


    At Susanna''s question, his grip unconsciously tightened just a little.


    He nced down, meeting her wide, pleading eyes. "You want me to help her?" "She''s helping both of us out this time, isn''t she?" Susanna pointed out.


    At first, it had really just been about Susanna. But once Hull''s intentions toward ck Gate became clear, everyone knew Yvonne was helping him, too. Besides, Yvonne had even called earlier, asking how she could help.


    Hull let out a soft chuckle. "So if you say help, I just help?"


    Susanna blinked. "??? Wait-did you even listen to what I said? Yvonne isn''t just caught up with me and ck Gate-she''s involved because of you, too."


    Whatever Yvonne did next, it would all be for Hull''s sake.


    Hull''s grin widened when Susanna fell silent. "So, should I help her or not?"


    "Of course you should!" she huffed, as if it was obvious. "After everything Yvonne''s done, stirring up trouble with ck Gate for me... Once she goes up against the Schultz family, we''re definitely taking her side."


    Hull shrugged. "Well, if you say so, then I guess I have to."


    "Now you''re talking."


    He gave her a side nce. "But you know, my help doesn''te cheap. How do you n to pay me back?"


    Susanna stared at him. "??? Excuse me? What do you mean, pay you back? We''re talking about helping Yvonne here!"


    He brushed his rough thumb along her soft chin. "You''re the one asking me for a favor right now," he said, his voice low and teasing.


    Susanna''s face went scarlet. She was never great at arguing, but this logic was just too much.


    When she stayed silent, Hull''s smile only grew. "Well? Cat got your tongue?"


    Susanna squirmed, trying to wriggle out of his arms. "If you don''t want to help, then don''t!" she grumbled.


    But his hand stayed firm on her waist—she wasn''t going anywhere.


    "Let me go," Susanna demanded.


    "So, no help then?" Hull raised an eyebrow.


    Susanna red at him. "Come on, Yvonne''s helping you now too."


    Hull smirked. "It''s mutual benefit, Susanna. That''s how this works."


    Susanna huffed again. She knew in their world, favors were always traded, never just given. Still, if


    Yvonne ever ended up facing off et


    with the Schultzes and Hull refused


    to help,


    Susanna would side with Yvonne no matter what... even if her own resources were pretty limited.


    “Please, Hull, just help Yvonne out?" she sniffled, looking up at him with big hopeful eyes.


    Hull grinned. "And what''s my reward?"


    Susanna threw her hands up. "We''ve talked about this before! You know I don''t have much to offer that you''d even care about."


    "Then why not just take whatever you want from ck Gate?" she huffed, barely thinking.


    Hull actually burst outughing this time, his grip tightening as he pulled her closer, until their breaths mingled.


    "How many days?" he asked suddenly.


    Susanna blinked. "Huh?"


    "How many days left until she leaves?"


    At that, Susanna''s cheeks med red. Was he seriously bringing that up now? She thought he was all cold and staic before, but when it


    came


    to this sort of thing, he was relentless.


    "Why are you blushing? It''s not your first time!" Hull teased gently, pinching her pouting cheek.


    "I-I''m done talking to you," Susanna muttered, turning away. The more he talked, the more shameless he got, Didn''t he realize how bold he sounded right now?  fo