Chapter 70

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves before stepping out of the car. The air was cool and filled with the scent of pine, a stark contrast to the tension brewing between them.

Hank knocked on the door, his knuckles rapping against the wood rhythmically. After a few moments, the door creaked open, revealing Marcus with a sly smile on his face. “Hank, what a surprise. Come on in,” he said, stepping aside to let his old friend inside.

Hank entered the cabin, taking in the familiar surroundings. It had only been days since he had last visited Marcus’s place, but everything seemed almost different. The scent of books and wood filled the air, creating an atmosphere of comfort that Hank found hard to ignore.

They made their way into the living room, where Hank took a seat on the worn-out couch and Marcus settled into an armchair across from him. The tension in the room grew as they made eye contact, neither one willing to back down.

“So, Marcus,” Hank sta