CHAPTER 262: THE COST OF SILENCE

Aron remained at the venue, stationed alongside the mercenaries, the same group he had hired during the search for Hercules. They recognized him immediately and were relieved to hear that this job wouldn’t be nearly as dangerous as the last. Just like before, they knew they’d be paid handsomely for their loyalty.

The mercenaries had efficiently surrounded the Black Hounds’ members and staff, confiscating every single one of their electronic communication devices. Phones, laptops, anything that could send a signal, were collected and locked away. No one was to make contact with the outside world.

While holding the area, they swept through the venue and gathered any trace of illegal activity they could find. At the same time, they wiped everything else clean, any unrelated records, footage, or digital files, so that if the Black Hounds came sniffing around later, they would have no clue what had gone down that day.

A few of the Black Hound members, realizing the gravity of the situation, panicked. They made a break for it, trying to force their way out in a last-ditch attempt at escape.

But the mercenaries? They didn’t need guns, knives, or batons. Just their fists. Even if the Black Hounds were skilled fighters, their bodies were already battered, bruised, and bloodied. They stood no chance against the well-trained mercs.

Around this time, Aron received a call. It was the police chief from the district they were in. He confirmed that he was on his way and that he was fully briefed on the entire situation. Aron hung up just as the venue manager approached him, rubbing the back of his neck and shaking his head.

"We made a huge mistake," the manager admitted with a grim expression. "One of our guys acted like a damn fool, and we assumed the younger one would be just as clueless. Thought it would be easy pickings for a quick payday."

He sighed heavily before continuing.

"Who would’ve thought he knew how to fight like that? And on top of that, he had someone as competent as you by his side."

The manager’s words were clearly directed at Aron. Sure, Chad had his own private security team, but none of them were anything like Aron. Aron went beyond the expectations of his job, above and beyond his pay grade, to protect the one he was assigned to. Maybe Max didn’t even realize how rare that was. Maybe he thought all bodyguards would act this way, simply because they were part of the Stern family.

But Aron wasn’t just doing his job. He believed in what he was doing.

Soon, the police chief arrived. With him came the transfer of files, evidence, and all the information the mercenaries had gathered. The entire group of Black Hounds was placed in handcuffs and loaded into the backs of several large police vehicles, one after another.

Aron stood there, arms crossed, watching each and every one of them get taken away. He scanned their faces, making sure not a single person was left behind. One loose thread could unravel the entire operation. So far, the only person who had escaped wasn’t even part of the Black Hounds. But if someone else got out and leaked what had happened here...

Then a massive target would be painted on the Blood Hounds’ back.

"These are the Black Hounds you’re dealing with," the police chief said, lighting a cigarette and exhaling a long trail of smoke. "This is just a branch operation, so I can keep things quiet and take them in without making a fuss. You’re paying well enough for that."

He narrowed his eyes, voice lowering.

"But if it goes any higher than this... I won’t be able to help you. Not unless you can bring down the group’s leaders. You get what I’m saying?"

Aron nodded silently. He wasn’t a gang expert, but he understood how the world worked.

Across countless countries, governments and law enforcement agencies knew about powerful criminal organizations. But just knowing didn’t mean they could stop them. It was like going to war. Sure, there were times when the government or the police had to act, like if the gangs made a public move or caused too much chaos, but unless they were confident they could take out the entire leadership at once, they left the syndicates untouched.

Retaliation would be swift and deadly.

There were simply too many well-organized groups, too many syndicates tied into webs of power and money, for governments to pick fights with all of them.

’The amount of money I’ve spent... Max might not be happy when he finds out,’ Aron thought, staring off into the night. ’It’ll erase whatever gain he made from that bet I placed for him. But it’s worth it, to put a pin in this mess, even if it’s only for now.’

Meanwhile, the Pit members had returned to Mancur City, and they didn’t come back empty-handed.

They had brought a prisoner along with them.

Back at their hideout, one of the men had gone out and come back carrying snacks, drinks, and even sweet treats. It was a celebration, another mission completed, another victory under their belt.

And Chad?

He had rope tied around his arms, barely able to move, and was shoved onto a worn-out sofa to watch it all unfold.

Across from him, Wolf sat in a reclining chair, admiring the pristine condition of his new jacket. Despite the earlier scuffle, not a single scratch or rip marred the fabric. He looked proud.

"Are you just going to keep me here?" Chad asked, frustration bubbling in his voice. "I thought you were taking me to your boss!"

"Did you listen to anything I said?" Wolf raised a brow. "I told you it might be a while before you meet the boss. That’s why you’re staying here with us for now."

Wolf leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing as he studied the man in front of him. He was trying to figure out how best to approach the questions spinning in his mind. It was obvious to him, and to Max, that this guy was important.

But who was he, exactly? Why was he mixed up in all this? From what Aron had told him, Chad wasn’t even Max’s friend. Which meant they didn’t need to treat him gently.

They could be as rough as they liked. As long as he didn’t die, they were free to play this their way.

"Look," Chad tried again, his voice urgent. "If you let me go, you won’t regret it. I can pay you, I can pay you more money than you could ever dream of! Just let me go, and I swear, on my family name, on the Stern Family’s name!"

Wolf blinked at him.

"Well... that was easier than I thought," he said, smirking.