Xavier sat in the corner of a shady restaurant downtown, waiting for Thomas Lane, the cleaner from that day to show up. Parker had meticulously done his research and discovered that Thomas, 22-year-old with a troubled past and a tendency for getting into sticky situations, was the son of Wendy Lane, who worked with the Astor Group around the same time Xavier's mother did.

When Thomas walked in, Xavier called out, “Thomas Lane, thanks for coming.”

Thomas's eyes widened in surprise. “How do you know my name?” he asked, his voice laced with caution.

Xavier smiled wryly. “Let's just say I've done my research. Please, sit down.”

Thomas hesitated for...