Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Nathaniel’s POV

The moment I asked about Andrew Max, suspicion lit the men’s eyes. They surrounded me, muttering low, hostile words in a language I didn’t fully understand. One of them finally disappeared through the hall, no doubt to fetch him.

They shoved me into a cramped room, two men standing guard as if daring me to move.

The door creaked.

Andrew Max entered.

I smirked. SK.

The psycho was involved in this? No wonder he's able to get away with his past murder.

I'm certain once he's caught again, the syndicate will just find a way to have him released.

The second our eyes met, recognition flashed across his face. He waved the men away until it was just the two of us.

I rose slowly, squaring my shoulders as he hopped onto the table, sitting like a king surveying a subject.

“Aren’t you the annoying cop who replaced James?” His mouth twisted into a sneer.

I gave a single nod, keeping my gaze steady.

His eyes narrowed at my fearlessness. “And you walked in here alone? Aren’t you afraid?” His voice dripped with menace.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to see you.” I kept my tone calm, though his laugh rasped through the room like sandpaper.

“I should kill you.” His gaze hardened, lips curving into a smug smile. “But it will all be over soon anyway.”

“I didn’t come here for you,” I admitted, taking a step closer. “But since fate’s generous today, I might as well bring you in. I’ll get what I want, and you’ll finally rot behind bars where you belong.”

That made him laugh harder, shoulders shaking. “I read about you.”

He flicked a lighter, flame dancing as he lit a cigarette. “Nathaniel. Rookie cop. Your first case—a messy little murder.”

“It’s flattering you’ve been keeping tabs.” My lips curved in a taunt. “Moving from stalking women to men now?”

He scoffed, smoke pouring from his nostrils. “Why are you really here?” His eyes sharpened, dissecting me.

I slipped a picture from my pocket and held it up. The way he stiffened told me more than his words ever could. But he forced a sigh, feigning relief.

“You know these men?” I asked.

He let out a short laugh, exhaling smoke in my face. “And you think I’ll just hand out information? You’re crazier than me.”

I tilted my head, smirking. “Of course not. A few kicks here and there will loosen your tongue just fine.”

I still wore the mask—the timid rookie, glasses low on my nose, looking harmless.

He studied me, then barked out laughter, nearly choking on the smoke. “You barely know how to throw a punch! Did you not hear me? I know your file inside out.”

“Maybe you’re the deaf one,” I replied flatly. “I said I’m not leaving without answers.”

He shrugged, flicking ash to the floor before sliding off the table. “Well, you’re not leaving at all. Thought there was something between you and her.” By her, he meant Ariel.

He strode toward the door.

“Hey,” I called.

He half-turned, smoke curling around his smirk.

“You haven’t given me what I came for.”

His eyes glittered cold. “I was never going to.”

He walked out.

Seconds later, more men stormed in.

“No hard blows,” the bald one at the front said, cracking his neck with a grin. “Max says he doesn’t know how to fight. Let’s make it quick.”

\~~~~~

Ten minutes later.

I stepped out adjusting my shirt. Behind me, groans filled the room—bodies sprawled, some unconscious, others crawling weakly.

I slipped through the ship’s narrow passages. I started to dial Ariel, but paused. No. First, I’d drag information out of SK, then call the department anonymously.

I ducked past compartments, blending into shadows.

Ahead, two men guarded a door.

Whatever they were guarding—it must be something important.

I strolled closer, wearing confusion.

“Hey, this area’s off-limits,” one barked.

I nodded politely. “Sorry,” I murmured, turning as if lost. Then I spun, fist cracking across his jaw before he blinked.

The second man lunged. I caught his elbow, yanked it down hard, and smashed him into the floor.

I grabbed the keys from one of the men pocket and opened the door.

“Ariel.”

My chest tightened. She sat bound, bruised but alive.

Her eyes widened. “Nat? What are you doing here—how did you even—?”

“No time.” I rushed forward, kneeling at her legs. “We need to get you out.”

I freed her ankles quickly, then reached for her wrists—but she lifted them herself, rope already cut through with a shard of glass.

A dry laugh escaped me. “Should’ve known. You can handle yourself.”

“SK’s here,” she hissed, urgency flashing in her eyes. “We can catch him now. This is our only chance, the bastard is living the city."

My jaw clenched. So that was why he’d looked so damn relieved earlier. Ariel had been his leverage.

“There are too many men on this ship,” I said, voice low. “You get in touch with Mrs. Jones. Call backup. I’ll go after SK.”

She frowned. “Wait—you weren’t sent here for me?”

“No one knows I’m here.” I pressed my phone into her hands. “Use it. Get word out.”

“SK smashed mine.” Her voice cracked slightly, but she tightened her grip around the phone.

She hesitated. “Nat… are you sure you’re okay?”

I forced a small smile. “I’ll be fine.”

Then I slipped out before she could see the steel harden in my expression. She couldn’t know the truth—not yet.

I carved my way through men, fists breaking bone, gunfire echoing.

“Where’s Max?” I demanded, wrenching back the last thug’s wrist until it cracked. His screams tore through the hall.

“The stock office! The stock!”

I snapped his neck and dropped him.

The stock office was heavily guarded—armed men everywhere. No cover. A frontal assault would be suicide.

I grabbed a loose wrench and hurled it down the opposite corridor. The men turned at the noise.

That’s when I pulled a small black sphere from my pocket and tossed it toward them.

“Bomb!” I shouted.

Their eyes went wide. In the moment of panic, I charged. I tore through them, disarming one, firing his weapon into the others.

Bodies hit the floor.

Sweat ran down my temples. My glasses were long gone.

Finally, I reached the stock office door. My hand brushed the handle—

“Nat.”

The faint, pained voice froze me.

I turned.

Ariel stood a few feet away, swaying, her shirt soaked crimson.

SK stood behind her, one arm around her, the barrel of a gun pressed to her temple.

My breath caught.

Ariel’s hands clutched her stomach—blood spilling between her fingers.