Chapter 18: The Nameless Pawn
The armored SUV stopped in the middle of a dark and muddy construction site. The drizzle intensified, turning the red earth into thick mud. Only a single project spotlight remained lit, illuminating five male figures kneeling with their hands bound.
Xavier stepped out of the car first. Frans immediately shielded him with an umbrella. Agatha followed from behind. Her leather boots planted firmly in the mud, and the black coat draped over her shoulders made her appear to blend into the darkness of the night.
Xavier stood towering over the thug leader. He was a large man with a dragon tattoo coiling around his neck and a face that was already battered.
"Italian Clan, huh?" Xavier flicked his lighter, lighting the tip of his cigarette casually. "You are very brave to step on my land."
The thug looked up, spitting blood onto Xavier's polished shoes.
"Your land? Don't be arrogant, Valois!" the thug shouted in rage. "Mr. Luigi wants this land! He will take back what is rightfully his! He killed your father, and he will kill you too!"
Xavier exhaled smoke into the thug's face. His expression was flat. Threats about himself had become his daily bread.
"Luigi..." muttered Xavier coldly. "So that old man is still alive."
"He is stronger than you think!" the thug screamed. "You think you are safe in Paris? Luigi is amassing great power!"
Without warning, Xavier's right leg flew out.
THUD!
The hard dress shoe struck the thug's jaw squarely.
"ARGH!"
The thug fell backward, groaning in pain. However, the man laughed maniacally when his eyes caught the figure of the woman behind Xavier. His gaze turned hungry and disgusting as he swept over Agatha's body wrapped in the tight black knit dress. In his eyes, Agatha was merely a beautiful woman brought by Xavier as a trophy.
"So beautiful," mumbled the thug with a crooked smile. "New mistress, Valois? Or a hired whore?"
Xavier stepped forward, blocking the thug's view. His hand moved toward the gun inside his jacket. "Watch your eyes or I will gouge them out."
"Woah... Relax, Valois," chuckled the thug. "You said you wanted to negotiate? I have an offer. Give that woman to me tonight. Let me taste her. Consider it interest payment for this land."
Silence.
The sound of the rain seemed to stop abruptly. The air froze.
"You... bargained for my wife?" Xavier's voice sounded very quiet, but terrifying.
"Oh, so she's your wife? Even bett..."
BANG!
The first bullet grazed the thug's ear, severing part of it.
"AAAAAAHHH!" The thug screamed hysterically.
"That was just an ear," hissed Xavier. He pressed the hot barrel of his gun against the thug's forehead. "I will cut off your tongue for daring to speak filth about what is mine!"
"Wait, dear."
Agatha's voice sounded calm, yet full of authority. She was no longer a spectator. She walked forward, passing Xavier, and stood right in front of the thug.
Xavier stepped back, giving the stage to his wife. He knew Agatha wanted to play.
Agatha stared at the thug. Her gaze was not that of a frightened billionaire's wife, but the gaze of an apex predator.
"Hi," greeted Agatha coldly. "You want to taste me?"
The thug looked up, holding back pain, still unaware of who he was facing. "Yes... if you prefer..."
THUD!
Agatha stomped on the thug's crotch with the heel of her boot with all her might. There was no hesitation, no mercy. Her movement was deadly.
"ARGHHHH!" The thug screamed shrilly, his body arching to endure the excruciating pain.
"Oops. Slippery," said Agatha casually, without a hint of regret.
She turned to Xavier. "Shoot his thigh. You know where it is, right?"
Xavier smirked proudly. "Of course, Dear."
Agatha looked back at the thug. "Listen, bastard. My husband will shoot your main blood vessel. Your blood will spurt out. You will die slowly while feeling cold. That will be fitting entertainment for your dirty mouth."
The thug trembled violently seeing the cruelty in Agatha's eyes. This woman was crazy. She was more dangerous than Xavier.
"Do it, Xav," ordered Agatha.
"NO!" screamed the thug in panic as Xavier's gun aimed at his thigh. "MERCY! I WILL TALK! LUIGI SENT ME! HE NEEDS MONEY!"
"For what? What plan is Luigi organizing?" asked Agatha sharply. Her instincts told her there was something big.
"I don't know! I swear to God I don't know!" answered the thug while crying. "We are just subordinates! We never met Mr. Luigi in person!"
Agatha grabbed the thug's collar, pulling him closer. Her face, which was calm before, now turned fierce. "Don't lie to me. He must have told you the target!"
"No! I swear! We were only ordered by Vargo to find as much money as possible in Paris! He said there is a big operation, but our level is not allowed to know!" The thug trembled in fear. "Only people in the elite circle know the details! We were just told to deposit money! That is all!"
Agatha stared into the thug's eyes intently. She looked for a lie, but all she found was fear and stupidity.
This man was honest. He really knew nothing. He was just a pawn being sacrificed.
Agatha snorted in annoyance. She released her grip roughly, making the thug fall back into the mud.
"He is useless, Xav," said Agatha coldly, her tone sounding disappointed. "He is just trash who knows nothing. The information is cut off at the upper level."
Xavier nodded in understanding. This was the classic style of the Italian Clan. A disconnected cell system. Subordinates did not know what the superiors were doing.
"Alright," said Xavier flatly. "Then you have no use living anymore."
"Wait! I can work for you! Don't kill me!"
"Sleep tight, bastard."
BANG!
One shot right to the head ended the thug's life.
Xavier put away his gun, then approached Agatha. He saw his wife's face looking frustrated.
"Clean up the rest, Frans. Send their bodies to Italy," ordered Xavier. "Tell Luigi, send someone smarter if he wants to fight me."
"Ready, Boss!"
Xavier led Agatha into the car. The rain fell harder, washing away the blood trails on the project ground.
Inside the quiet and warm cabin, Xavier held Agatha's hand which was clenched tight on her lap.
"They are very secretive," mumbled Agatha softly, staring at the rain outside the window. "Subordinates know nothing. Luigi is playing very neatly this time."
"Yes," answered Xavier calmly. "That is why I am also having trouble."
Agatha turned. "What do you mean?"
"I have tried to find out Luigi's movements and who his new target is," admitted Xavier honestly. "As an information broker, usually I can penetrate any data. But this time... the data on Luigi's operation is completely dark."
Xavier looked into Agatha's eyes.
"Just as dark as the data about you, Agatha. Whoever hid your past, and whatever Luigi is planning... it seems the level is far above the usual mafia game."
Agatha fell silent. She herself did not know who she was. She only knew she was trained to kill.
"We are walking in the dark, Xav," whispered Agatha.
Xavier lifted Agatha's hand, kissing the back of it gently.
"Then we burn that darkness together. No secret can hide forever from me, my Wife. We will find out slowly."
The black car sped through the rain. Tonight, they went home empty-handed without information, but with a determination that grew stronger to unravel the mystery threatening their lives.