Chapter 95: Spiraled Mess
"ALL CLEAR."
Hearing Kesha's signal, I entered the hotel-not through the front door but scaling the building with a rope harnessed to my waist.
It wasn't just Kesha helping out. Rain, Luna, and Finnick were part of this operation, too. Rain, with his bulky build, and Luna, with her quick reflexes, were stationed in the function hall, blending in with the crowd to monitor the target's bodyguards.
Finnick acted as our lookout-a crucial role combining the skills of a hacker and a fighter. He provided real-time updates on the situation, helping me decide the next moves.
As for me, I'm the leader-the one who takes the greatest risks. I serve my purpose.
We're a team of five. I handpicked each member for high-stakes missions like this. Five isn't too many or too few; too large a group increases the chances of getting caught.
My one rule for every mission: Do the job without harming innocent people.
Honestly, I don't even know what I'm doing anymore. I thought this was a mafia organization, but I'm starting to feel more like a secret agent.
My father wasn't thrilled with my choices. He criticized my team, calling them rookies compared to his older, seasoned men. But my team has proven themselves. They're young, talented, and trained by me. "I'm here," I said, glancing at the window.
Our client today is Mr. Barlowe-or more accurately, the files inside his suitcase. I discovered that he used to work for my father.
He didn't know much about the mafia, but he held evidence exposing anomalies within the company Mason currently manages.
Of course, as a loving father who would do anything for his favored firstborn son, my dad is willing to eliminate any obstacles to Mason's success... using his illegitimate child.
I'm not exactly bitter, but it's hard not to think it's unfair. Still, Mason isn't to blame for how our deranged father thinks.
"I've opened it, S," Kesha said over the comms.
We use the first letter of our names as callsigns. I needed her help opening the window because this hotel's owner apparently has peculiar tastes-every window is secured with a passcode.
This is the first time I've ever seen something like this.
"Thanks," I replied, smirking as I slid the window open and unfastened the rope from my waist.
I moved so quickly that I nearly tumbled to the floor, barely keeping my balance.
"Fuck," I muttered, freezing when my eyes fell on Mr. Barlowe.
He was... pleasuring himself. His hands gripped tightly around his manhood, legs slightly raised. He looked ready to finish-but I interrupted.
I rolled my eyes. I swear I must attract these kinds of ridiculous situations. But this time, I wouldn't repeat my earlier blunder. If I shoot him, it'll be in his head, not... elsewhere.
Our eyes locked. His widened in shock, while mine narrowed in annoyance. He looked like he was in his fifties. Of course, anyone would be horrified to see someone break into their room at their most vulnerable moment. "W-Who are-" he stammered, reaching for the red button on his side table.
I shot it before he could press it.
The silencer on my gun ensured there was no noise. I held two guns-one in each hand. My right hand gripped the silencer-equipped pistol; my left, a tranquilizer.
"Not so fast, mister," I said, shooting him with the tranquilizer.
Less than a second later, he slumped over, unconscious.
"S, what did you do?!" Luna shouted through the comms.
It seemed she'd forgotten I was her leader and not someone she could casually question.
"Most of his bodyguards are heading up! There are too many of them!"
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I ignored her, swearing under my breath as I rummaged through the room for the files my dad demanded. They should be in his suitcase, but I couldn't find them.
"The security's getting tighter, S," Kesha said urgently. "I can't hack the system for much longer. You need to get out now."
"F, get up there and assist Ma'am S," she added.
"Copy that," Finnick replied.
"Found it!" I exclaimed, sweat dripping down my face.
Reading through the documents, I grimaced. If these ever reached the press, the company's reputation would be irreparably damaged. Even the Colemans were implicated-it was an illegal property possession case. Quickly, I moved toward the window to escape, but seeing the helicopters patrolling outside made me curse repeatedly.
This wasn't part of the plan. Why the hell did I shoot the button? I could've just shot his hand instead.
I had no choice but to leave through the door. Luckily, there didn't seem to be anyone on this floor-it was supposedly reserved for Mr. Barlowe.
But I was wrong.
There were guards, though now, they were sprawled unconscious on the floor.
"F, are you here yet?" I asked Finnick, pressing my earpiece as I cautiously walked toward the other side of the building.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
"Not yet," he replied, his voice strained amidst chaotic noise. "I didn't anticipate this. If you can, run. Plan B is impossible now."
Plan B was for Finnick to escort me out through the hotel, but that was off the table.
"Got it," I replied, cutting off my comms. "I'll escape through the front door."
As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.org is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "Are you out of your mind-" I didn't let Luna finish, cutting off her line too.
She'd pay for that insubordination later. Evangeline was the only one allowed to talk to me like that.
"Shit!" I exclaimed as a guard spotted me and fired his gun.
Before the bullet could hit me, someone yanked me out of harm's way, pulling me behind a wall.
It happened so quickly that when I turned to see who had saved me, he was already gone. But the faint scent lingering in the air told me enough.
It was a scent I knew all too well.
A scent I had longed for, missed deeply over the years.
"Ash?" I whispered, staring at the spot where he'd touched me.
I knew it was him. There was no mistaking it. But I couldn't dwell on it. I was in the middle of a mission.
And besides, it was impossible.
Just like our plan B.
Because why would someone who once tried to kill me... save me?
"S," Finnick called, snapping me to reality. "I know that I'm not in the right position to say this, but stay focused."
He wasn't the type to meddle in someone else's issues, but it seemed like he couldn't stand seeing me zone out any longer.
He was even holding onto both of my arms, knowing full well that it's one of the things I hate the most.
I didn't even realize he reached up to me already, and we were nearly shot as Mr. Boltawe's men were relentlessly chasing us.
At this point, we had no idea where we could even hide. I had planned this operation thoroughly, but now I couldn't figure out how it had spiraled into this mess.