Daniel's assistant threw the last heavy bag of cash into the trunk, wiping sweat from his brow as he locked the boot. He stepped back, glancing nervously toward the house, knowing what was coming next. It wasn't every day you dealt with this kind of money, and he didn't want to be caught in the crossfire of whatever chaos was about to go down. He could only hope it would end smoothly—but who was he kidding? Nothing ever ended smoothly around Daniel.
The front door of the house swung open, and Daniel emerged like a shadow in the night. His steps were calm, calculated, as he descended the stairs. The silence around him was deafening, even the crickets seemed to sense his dark mood and had shut up for the night. He had the air of someone who had already decided how this was going to end. And it wasn't going to be pretty for anyone standing in his way.
Daniel didn't acknowledge his assistant or anyone else around him. He simply walked to the car, a sleek, expensive machine that screamed power, just like him. He pulled the door open and slipped inside with ease, the leather seat molding to him as if the car was made for him alone. He sat for a moment, taking in a deep breath, his eyes hard as steel. Then, he turned on the map the kidnappers had sent him. The route flashed on the screen, but Daniel didn't need to study it for long. He had already memorized the path as soon as it appeared.
"Let's fucking end this," he muttered under his breath before pressing down on the gas.
The engine roared to life, and the car sped off, devouring the dark streets ahead. He drove for an hour, the scenery flashing by in a blur, his mind completely focused on what lay ahead. The farther he drove, the tighter his grip became on the steering wheel. The calm exterior he showed everyone was barely holding back the rage simmering beneath. The sound of the kidnapper's voice replayed in his head over and over again. That smug bastard. He thought he could get away with this?
Finally, Daniel pulled into a corner, parking where his car would be hidden from view. He didn't need anyone spotting him before he was ready to make his move. His eyes scanned the area, calculating, methodical. He slipped out of the car, moving like a predator in the night. Every step was measured as he made his way toward an old, rusted container, crouching down behind it.
From his position, Daniel could see the large gate in the distance, the place where they were holding Lina. His jaw clenched as his eyes settled on the two guards standing at the entrance. The place looked like an abandoned factory, but it was crawling with thugs—none of them professionals though. He could tell by the way they stood, by the way they carried their weapons. Sloppy.
"Two fucking guards," Daniel whispered to himself, shaking his head. "You've made a big mistake."
He watched for a moment longer, waiting for the right time to strike. Patience was key in moments like these. The guards began to move, splitting off in opposite directions, clearly not expecting any trouble. And that was their biggest mistake. Daniel was trouble, the kind that didn't announce itself until it was too late.
He silently followed the guard on the left, moving like a shadow. His footsteps were so light that even the gravel beneath him didn't make a sound. The guard had no idea he was there, completely oblivious to the danger that was closing in.
Daniel waited until they were far enough away from the other guard. Then, in a quick, deadly motion, he lunged. His arm wrapped around the man's throat, pulling him back into a chokehold. The guard barely had time to gasp before Daniel's other hand clamped over his mouth, cutting off any chance of calling for help.
The guard thrashed for a moment, trying to fight back, but Daniel's grip was too strong. He tightened the hold around the man's neck, feeling the resistance weaken as the oxygen drained from his body. The guard's legs kicked out, his hands clawing at Daniel's arm, but it was useless. Daniel didn't let go until the body went limp in his grasp.
With a grunt, he dragged the unconscious body behind the container and began stripping off the man's clothes. It wasn't the first time he'd had to blend in with the enemy, and he knew how to do it quickly. He yanked the guard's uniform over his head and pulled it on, adjusting the belt around his waist. It didn't fit perfectly, but it was close enough.
He also took the guard's weapons, sliding the knives into his own belt and holstering the gun. Guns were messy, but he might need it later. For now, the knives would do just fine.
Dressed in the uniform, Daniel stepped back out into the open. He adjusted the cap to cover his face just enough and began walking toward the gate as if nothing had happened.
The other guard noticed him almost immediately, his voice gruff and suspicious. "What the fuck were you doing over there?"
Daniel didn't respond. He simply waved his hand in a casual, dismissive gesture, keeping his face turned away. The guard frowned but didn't press the issue. With a shrug, he turned his back, clearly too lazy to care about his partner's whereabouts.
Stupid fuck.
Daniel's hand instinctively went to the gun holstered at his side, his fingers itching to pull the trigger and end this fast. But he stopped himself. The sound of gunfire would bring too much attention, and he wasn't ready for that. He needed something quieter.
His fingers slid over the belt, searching for something that wouldn't make noise. And then, he felt it—the cold, sharp edge of the dagger tucked into the guard's uniform.
Perfect.
A dark, wicked smile curled on Daniel's lips as he pulled the dagger from its sheath. This was going to be too easy.
He moved closer, his footsteps soundless on the gravel. The other guard had no idea what was coming.