Chapter 28
I waited, jaw clenched, resisting the urge to say more. The fury in my eyes was unmistakable.
“He went to rescue a new recruit,” Ria elaborated.
“Excuse me?” My expression turned even colder.
“Yo–you knew a few months ago that J wanted to start the new recruit program,” Sky finally spoke up.
I gave a curt nod, already disliking where this was going.
“But you disapproved,” Ria continued, “and J thought we should move forward with it anyway–because the doomsday of the Patronus was approaching.”
I closed my eyes. The reason I disapproved was simple: Who could create a squad capable of fighting and stalking in just two months?
“So this program started behind my back,” I said, my voice calm and collected, though the sense of betrayal burned within me. I opened my eyes, feeling the muscles in my face tighten.
“Yes,” lan admitted.
“So this new recruit was given an assignment?” I asked.
“No!” Sky quickly jumped in. “They were strictly supposed to follow the physical training program and stay in the bunker.*
“Then can someone hurry up and tell me where Kevin and Jina are?” I asked through gritted teeth, my patience wearing thin.
“The new recruit overheard talk about the underprogram,” Matt said. “The one where we were digging for information on the Shadow Knights.”
My blood ran cold. This was supposed to stay between K and J.
“He went after Killian Knight.”
I didn’t bother asking why. If I made it out of this alive, I’d get my answers. I didn’t want to die from sheer anger before that.
“When did this happen?” I asked, rubbing my temples.
ס
“Two days ago. Then we lost his location. Kevin panicked when he realized what had happened and went after him without thinking. That’s when J, along with Tong and Siya, left to follow Kevin.”
She took the Thai brute and Tinkerbell with her. None of them had a brain.
“And do you have Kevin’s location?”
“Yes. It’s Devil’s Lair,” Sky nodded. “A nightclub under one of the aliases used by the Shadow Knights‘ inner circle.”
“What do you think we’re doing here?” Matt said in a tone that practically screamed *duh*.
They’re Shadow Knights. This is a trap. My heart pounded in my chest. If we could track Kevin’s location, that meant they were luring us out.
“You have access to the CCTV cameras at Devil’s Lair?”
“Only one,” lan said. “The basement.”
He shifted his chair, revealing the monitor behind him. The CCTV feed showed a room decorated like a living space–sofa, glass table. Opposite the furniture, two boys were tied to chairs with ropes. One was Kevin. The other was an unfamiliar face. That must be the new recruit.
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Chapter 28
This access was given to us on purpose. It was all a trap. But what exactly was Jina planning?
“Send me the location. How long ago did Jina and the others leave?” I asked, standing up.
Matt rolled his eyes. “I can’t believe this. If you go alone, aren’t you in the same danger?”
“Twenty minutes ago,” Ria answered.
I nodded and pulled my hood over my head.
“You have more disadvantages in combat than J and Tong,” Ria pointed out.
“I don’t need to fight,” I replied, pulling my mask back on.
“You think you can just walk in there, and Killian Knight will let them go? We have no leverage,” Matt scoffed.
“Find a way to access the other CCTV feeds. When Jina enters, text me.”
Leverage? Killian is definitely there. I didn’t know if they’d make it out, or if exposing myself would work in my favor–or against it.
“Send me the location,” I repeated, putting my bag down. “And don’t lose sight of this.”
I turned away as Matt muttered a quiet, “Fuck.”
Devil’s Lair
The sign was decorated with lights that made it look like it was engulfed in red flames. It was almost funny–did Killian name these businesses himself?
I parked my bike, put it on the stand, and checked my phone.
*A text popped up:*
*We got in. Jina entered five minutes ago. You can still catch her and stop her from doing anything stupid. We don’t know how much the recruit has
talked.*
I pulled off my hoodie and mask, holding them in my hands as I walked to the entrance. I handed the bouncer my ID–or rather, my fake ID: “Elizabeth
Stewart‘.
The man studied me, then glanced at the photo and date of birth. It said I was 23.
He looked me up and down. I hadn’t exactly dressed for clubbing, but after a few moments, he handed the ID back and let me in.
Another hurdle: a metal detector. And I had a gun in my hoodie.
Should I have snuck in through the staff entrance? That would’ve taken too much time. Besides, too many eyes would recognize an unfamiliar face.
They were confiscating smartphones before entry–it would be stupid not to check for weapons too.
I rolled up my hoodie. When it was my turn, I tripped at the corner, letting the hoodie slip from my hands–or rather, I threw it. It flew over the metal detector.
The people behind me laughed.
The hoodie landed with a soft thud on the other side. I hid my face as if I were embarrassed, but really, I was hiding a smile of relief.
“Oh!” I flinched and got up, laughing nervously. “Sorry, sorry. I’m a bit clumsy.”
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Chapter 28
I made a show of dusting off my jeans and hands. I passed through the metal detector.
“Beep.”
I froze.
The guards immediately stepped forward, but then I remembered-
I lifted my left foot, tugging up my jeans just enough to reveal my sparkling anklet.
They relaxed.
“Move in, miss.”
I picked up my hoodie, carefully dusting it off as I walked inside.
I finally exhaled.
Music blasted into my ears as I entered. “No smoking” signs were everywhere. Red and white lights flashed, nearly blinding me. Drinks flowed freely, and bartenders put on drink shows. Sparks flew. The dance floor was packed.
I rubbed my temples.
I never thought my first time in a nightclub would be like this. Maybe I should avoid them in the future. My head throbbed.
I found a corner and scanned the open dance floor, the bars, the seating areas. Then I moved into the crowd, disappearing for several minutes.
Pulling my hood and mask back on, I looked up, cataloging the cameras and blind spots. I maneuvered through the dance floor, spotting a familiar figure.
Tan skin. Buff build. Almond eyes scanning the area.
That Thai brute had zero acting skills.
I rolled my eyes and slipped past the crowd as he disappeared into a hallway.
That had to lead to the basement.
I followed, entering a darker corridor. Only one CCTV camera was positioned in the far corner.
Tong was standing in the middle of the hall, holding a tray of empty mocktail glasses.
1
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “What are you waiting for?” I asked, feigning curiosity.
He was startled the moment he saw my eyes.
“M-”
“You know who I am?” I mocked.
“Listen, you shouldn’t be here. Jina said-”
“Where is Jina? And that Tinkerbell?” I cut him off.
He hesitated.
“This is a trap, Tong. You, your sister, Jina–all of you will die. He’s waiting for you.”
He swallowed hard. “We had no choice.”
Chapter 28
“Just tell me where she is. Then wait outside.”
“What about Kevin and Eddie?”
“Nothing will happen to them. Trust me.”
He sighed. “She’s already heading to the basement.”
I nodded. “Be a good boy and go outside.”
“But-”
“But nothing.” My tone left no room for argument.
He immediately stepped back.
“Go!”
I moved quickly in the direction Tong had shown me. I spotted a guard ahead and ducked behind the corner. When he passed, I silently slipped forward. Another person walked by, and I pressed myself against the wall before finally catching sight of two familiar figures–a tall, dark–skinned African American woman and a petite Thai woman.
Jina and Siya.
They were dressed in bar staff uniforms, heading toward a left turn in the hallway. A guard was approaching them from the other side.
Moving swiftly, I reached them and grabbed their shoulders, pulli
effortlessly.
them out of sight. In the next instant, Jina’s fist came flying at my face. I blocked it
Her eyes focused, and realization dawned. She was pale, sweating–scared out of her wits.
“How many times have I told you–not the face?” I muttered.
At the same time, both of them hissed, “You!”
I let go of Jina’s hand, and they both sighed in relief.
“How did you get here? Why are you here? You shouldn’t be here!” ina whisper–yelled. “You don’t know Killian Knight is here. He’s already looking for M.” She fired her words one after the other.
“I already know all of that. I sent Tong out of here. Take Siya and go.”
Siya, who had been keeping watch, snapped her head toward me at my last words.
“What are you planning–going in alone?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“You’re mad!” Jina hissed. “Have you not been listening to me?” I could see she was terrified, but I didn’t point it out. “He’s looking for M. This is a trap- to get you. Not to mention, you are M. We don’t even know how he’ll react.”
“There’s one thing clear–when I go in there, he will let them go,” I said. “So, you did what you did. Now, I will do what i should do. Get out of here and wait for Kevin and that newbie outside. I’ll get them out safely.”
I patted Jina’s shoulder and pushed them forward. They both stared at me in shock.
“It’s an order,” I said firmly.
“Mila…” Jina looked nervous, scared–guilty.
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Chapter 28
I shook
my
head. “Not now. You will do as I say, or you will regret the day you chose to create KJM with me.”
My words must have been harsher than intended, but they snapped her out of her shock. She grabbed Siya’s hand and hurried in the opposite direction.
I sighed in relief. Now, I could move freely.
Stepping out of my hiding spot, I looked up at the CCTV camera, then checked the gun still hidden in my pocket.
Well, here goes nothing.
Turning the corner, I entered a long hallway with plenty of space. At the far end stood a door, guarded by six men.
Familiar faces.
They were the same six men from the restaurant twelve hours ago. The same ones who had been there while I had lunch with Killian.
Had it really only been twelve hours?
As I stepped forward, one of them moved toward me.
“This is a restricted area,” he said.
“May I know your identity, ma’am?” Another one asked–polite, despite knowing I was their target.
I smirked under my mask. “I thought I was invited. Wasn’t your boss looking for me?”
All six pairs of eyes fixed on me.
“I am M.”
