CHAPTER 13
The tension in the basement was palpable as we gathered around the monitor. Blake’s position flickered on the GPS, a red dot moving steadily toward Mannheim. He was disguised as a regular civilian, riding a bike and blending in with the busy crowd. Daniel, standing next to me, spoke into his earpiece, his voice calm but firm.
“Blake, stay sharp. Watch your surroundings,” he said.
“Got it,” Blake replied, his voice crackling through the connection.
I focused on the screen, my fingers flying across the keyboard as I adjusted the feed. A part of me felt uneasy, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.
“Something feels off,” I muttered.
Daniel glanced at me. “Relax. He’s done
this before.”
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I nodded but couldn’t shake the nerves. twisting in my stomach. My eyes stayed glued to the monitor, tracking Blake‘ s steady progress.
Minutes passed in silence, and then Blake’s voice cut through the static. “I‘ ve got the package.”
“Good,” Daniel said.” Now, head back-”
“Wait,” Blake interrupted, his tone sharper now. “There’s a problem. A group of
guys… they’re watching me. Looks like a gang.”
Daniel stiffened. “How many?”
“Five, maybe six. They‘ re spread out. I think they’re waiting for me to move first.”
My heart leapt into my throat as the red dot on the GPS began to move faster.
“They re following me now,” Blake said. “I’m on the bike, trying to shake them.”
Daniel cursed under his breath. “Chlyrus,
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Calix, get ready. You‘ re going after him.”
Chlyrus and Calix, already on standby, nodded and grabbed their gear. I couldn’t sit still anymore.
“I’m going too,” I blurted out.
Daniel spun toward me. “No, you‘ re not. It’s too dangerous.”
“I’m not just sitting here,” I snapped. “If something happens to Blake-”
“Daphne, this isn’t a debate,” Daniel said, his voice rising.
“I’m going whether you like it or not,” I said, grabbing my jacket.
Sue, leaning against the wall, smirked. “Let her go. If she screws up, that’s on her. Just make sure she brings Blake back.”
Daniel stared at me for a long moment before exhaling sharply. “Fine. But don’t make me regret this.”
We piled into the car, Calix behind the
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wheel and Chlyrus in the passenger seat. I sat in the back, gripping the edge of my seat as the engine roared to life. The GPS on the dashboard showed Blake’s last known location, but the signal was fading.
“He’s nearby,” I said, leaning forward. “Just head to the outskirts. He might ver taken a side road.”
Calix nodded, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. The car sped through the narrow streets, weaving between traffic.
“Stay focused,” Chlyrus said, his eyes scanning the road ahead.
We reached the area within minutes, and I spotted movement in the distance. A group of men circled someone on the ground. My stomach sank.
“There!” I shouted.
Calix slammed on the brakes, and we jumped out of the car. The thugs turned toward us as we approached, their expressions shifting from confusion to
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aggression.
Blake was on the ground, clutching the package to his chest. Blood trickled from a cut above his eye, but his grip on the package was unyielding.
“Back off!” I yelled, rushing forward.
The nearest thug lunged at me, but I dodged, landing a punch to his side. Chlyrus and Calix were already fighting off the others, their movements swift and precise. Blake struggled to his feet, still. holding the package.
“Are you okay?” I asked, grabbing his arm.
“Fine,” he panted. “Just get me out of here.”
Before we could move, one of the men grabbed me by the arm, yanking me backward. His eyes locked onto mine, and his expression shifted to one of
recognition.
“Wait a second,” he said, his voice loud enough for the others to hear. “This girl-
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she’s wanted!”
Panic shot through me as he continued, hist grip tightening. “There’s a hundred million dollars on her head!”
The words hung in the air like a death
sentence. The other men froze, their gazes shifting to me.
“You‘ re joking,” one of them said, stepping closer.
“I’m not. Look at her!” the man holding
me said.
I struggled against his grip, but my mind. raced. A hundred million? Marco. This had his fingerprints all over it.
“Change of plans,” one of the thugs said, a cruel grin spreading across his face. “We’re taking her with us.”
Not if I can help it.
“Let her go!” Chlyrus roared, tackling the man holding me. I stumbled back, my heart pounding.
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“Get to the car!” Calix shouted, fending off two of the others.
Blake grabbed my arm, dragging met
toward the car as chaos erupted around us. My mind reeled as I tried to process what had just happened.
A hundred million. Marco had put a bounty on my head, and now the entire
underworld would be hunting me.
“Daphne, move!” Blake yelled, snapping me out of my thoughts.
But I couldn’t shake the look in their eyes.
They knew who I was. And now, the hunt
was on.
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