Chapter 27
Chapter 27
“You bastard,” I spat, grabbing him again.
He grinned, eyes wild. “Hold on tight.”
Ahead of us, a pole loomed.
“Watch out!” I screamed.
But SK released the wheel and the car smashed head-on into the pole.
After the crash, SK crawled out of the vehicle.
My head throbbed, blood dripping from the side of my face.
He yanked open the door and dragged me out, pulling me by the hair.
I fell to the ground, glaring up at him. I tried to fight back, but he was quick as he snatched my gun.
He smirked, holding it up, then cocked it. “I’m sure you’re not foolish enough to try anything stupid.” Blood trickled across his face too, but his grin remained twisted.
He shoved me forward. “You destroyed the car, now you’ll walk the rest of the way.”
I closed my eyes, exhaling deeply.
“Your phone.” SK stretched out his hand.
I hesitated. He cocked the gun again, and reluctantly I pulled the phone from my pocket, handing it over.
He snatched it, studied it for a second, then smashed it against the ground.
“Why the hell would you do that?!”
“We don’t want any disturbances during our date, right sweetheart?” He smirked.
“You’re insane.” I glared at him.
He tilted his head, grin crooked. “Oh yeah. Crazy for you.”
I sneered and kept walking.
NATHANIEL POV
I stood in front of the building, checked the address on the paper one last time, then shoved it back into my pocket before heading up the stairs.
Opening the door, I stepped inside. A man sat across the room, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. He looked rugged, eyes cold.
“Good day, sir.” I greeted politely, giving a slight bow.
He didn’t respond, only studied me from head to toe.
I walked closer, pulled out a picture. “I heard you make tattoos here.”
He stayed silent, exhaling smoke slowly, eyes fixed on me. Finally, he leaned forward, resting his hands on the table.
“Young man, what do you want?”
“I’m looking for these men.” I slid the picture closer. “They got their tattoos here.”
He shoved the picture back at me and leaned back. “I don’t know them. Leave.” His voice was rough, guttural.
I chuckled, glancing around the room. “I’m sure they came here. I just need to know who they are.”
His eyes narrowed. “I said I don’t know them. Leave.” His tone dangerous.
I slid the picture back into my pocket, chuckling again.
Another man stepped through the side door, an axe in hand.
I bowed politely and turned to leave, then paused, glancing back.
“Are you sure they weren’t here?” I drawled, my gaze landing on the tattoo peeking from under his sleeve. My lips curved into a smirk.
The other man suddenly hurled the axe at me, I dodged.
He lunged, throwing wild punches but missed each.
I caught his arm, twisted it back until it cracked. He screamed loudly. I swept his legs, flipped him, and snapped his neck in an instant. His body dropped on the floor dead.
The first man jumped up, knife flashing. He swung at me; I dodged. Another swing— I knocked his arm, the blade clattering to the ground.
Snarling, he pulled a gun from under the table and fired.
I ducked behind a doorframe, then a table, anything that could shield me.
The gun clicked empty.
“Shit,” he groaned, fumbling for more bullets.
I smirked, darted for the knife, and in one swift move I was behind him. The blade pierced his hand, the gun fell.
I slashed at his legs, blood spraying. His screams filled the room.
“Damn you,” he groaned, writhing on the floor. “Who the hell are you?”
I crouched beside him, wiping blood off my face. “Ready to talk about those men?”
I stabbed into his arm, right over the tattoo that matched the ones from the photo.
He howled. “Alright! Please! I’ll tell you.”
I pulled the knife free, and he groaned again.
“It’s a group, a gang. My job is just tattoos and forging passports. Those men, I only saw them once.”
“How can you be part of a gang and know nothing about them?”
He swallowed hard. “I don’t know the boss, but there’s a messenger. He deals with recruits. He’ll tell you what you want to know.”
“Name.”
“Andrew Max.”
“Where do I find him?”
“Down at the port. I made a passport for him yesterday.”
I stood, weighing the knife in my hand. He shrank back, terrified.
I slit his throat and he collapsed.
Wiping my hands, I tossed the knife to the floor and stepped out of the building.
My bike waited at the corner. I mounted, slipped on my dark shades, kicked the engine to life, and roared off toward the port.
\~~~~~
The docks were loud, workers shouted, cargo nets swung overhead.
My eyes landed on a massive passenger ship. Rugged, strong-looking men patrolled its deck.
I slipped aboard, hiding behind barrels and crates, then sneaked into a room.
It had multiple compartments, each crawling with dangerous men.
If Andrew Max was anywhere, it would be here.
\~~~~
ARIEL POV
A sharp pain lanced through my neck. SK had snapped it just enough to knock me unconscious.
When I woke, my wrists were bound tightly behind me, secured to something solid.
I looked around, I was alone.
Muffled noises came from outside, but I couldn’t tell where I was. My ankles were tied too.
I struggled, but the ropes held firm.
Grinding my teeth, I scanned the room. A shard of broken glass lay on the floor, but too far away.
I groaned, inching my body closer until I could hook it with my foot. Slowly, carefully, I dragged it toward me.
Just as I caught it, the doorknob turned. My pulse raced.
I quickly hid the shard behind me, gripping it tight.
The door creaked open. SK stepped inside with a bag in hand.
“What are you doing?” I demanded.
He tossed a loaf of bread at me. “Eat. It’s going to be a long journey.”
My brows furrowed. “Where are we going?”
He turned, smiling as he stepped closer. “Its a better place, don’t worry. Soon you’ll be mine. Mine only. You’ll answer to me, and me alone.”
“You’re delusional, Andrew.” I spat, twisting my wrists against the ropes.
He clicked his tongue. “I’ll have what I want. No woman will cheat on me. Or use me. Even if I have to sever your limbs to make you obey, I will.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I glared, working the shard furiously against the rope behind me.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
“Hey,
Andrew, someone’s here looking for you.”
SK nodded, shot me one last grin, and left.
The moment the door shut, I exhaled a shaky breath, and cut the rope faster than before.