bChapter /b301

?

I checked each private booth, finding them empty except for thest one, which contained two men speaking in hushed tones. They looked up, startled as I entered.

My knife found one’s heart while my garrote wire wrapped around the other’s throat. Secondster, both were still.

I heard the elevator doors open behind me and turned to see Selene step out. She froze, taking in the bodies of her security team scattered across the floor.

“What the- she began, reaching for her weapon.

I kicked a nearby table, sending it crashing into her legs. She stumbled but recovered quickly, drawing a sleek ck pistol. I was faster, pping the gun from her hand and driving my knee into her stomach.

“Queen of Diamonds,” I repeated. “Where is she? And where’s Milo?” Milo was Ss‘ twin brother.

“You know how organization operates,” she spat. “Our people don’t talk.”

I smiled coldly. “I’m very good at making people talk.”

She lunged at me, a hidden de shing in her hand. I sidestepped, grabbing her wrist and twisting until the knife ttered to the floor. She fought well–better than the average Shadow operative–but I knew every move before she made it. fn1399 Content originallyes from Find1Novel/fn1399

I blocked a kick aimed at my head, caught her ankle, and twisted. She spun with the motion, turning what should have been a fall into a graceful recovery. Impressive, but not enough.

“You’re outmatched,” I told her. “Don’t make this worse than it needs to be.”

Her answer was another attack. This time, I didn’t hold back. I caught her arm, spun her around, and delivered a brutal kick that sent her crashing through the ss railing of the VIP section.

Selene plummeted three stories,nding with a sickening thud on the fighting ring below. The crowd gasped, conversations halting mid- sentence as all eyes turned to the woman who had literally fallen from the sky.

I jumped after her,nding with catlike grace on the edge of the ring. The fighter who had been standing victorious in the center stared at me in shock, then at Selene whoy groaning on the canvas.

‘Ladies and gentlemen,” I announced to the stunned crowd, “tonight’s final match has been canceled.”

Security guards began pushing through the crowd. I spotted Miguel near the back, his face pale with shock.

Selene was struggling to stand, blood trickling from her mouth. One of her legs was clearly broken, bent at an unnatural angle,

“Is it going to be the easy way or the hard way?” I asked her, keeping my voice conversational. “Your choice–you either lead me to them, or I drag you there.”

She spat blood at my feet and remained silent.

“Hard way it is,” I sighed.

8:21 Tue, Sep 30

She attacked again, even with her broken leg.

b99 /b

The fight continued, but Selene was tiring. Her movements became sluggish, her breathingbored. Finally, she copsed to one knee, her injured leg unable to support her any longer.

“This is yourst chance,‘ I told her. “Where are they?”

Instead of answering, Selene reached for a hidden weapon in her boot. I didn’t give her the chance to use it. My foot connected with her chest, sending her flying off the ring. She hit the floor with a heavy thud and didn’t get up.

“Miguel!” I called out. “Get her and let’s go!”

Once outside, we sprinted to the waiting car. Miguel dumped Selene in the backseat and jumped behind the wheel. I slid into the passenger seat.

As we sped away, I pulled out another detonator from my pocket. I’d ced charges throughout this building too, during my brief tour earlier.

I pressed the button without hesitation.

The night sky lit up once more as the second fighting venue erupted in mes.