Loe ended the call, his heart still racing from the conversation with Mindy, knowing that time was running out. He strode back into the room, where Mark and Chris were casually chatting, but his expression was intense, signaling the gravity of the situation.
"Mark," Loe said sharply, locking eyes with his friend. "We need to move. Now."
Mark, already tuned into Loe's signals, instantly understood something was off. His posture straightened, and he stood up, nodding in agreement, though his mind was already racing with questions. "What's going on?" Mark asked, sensing the urgency.
Loe glanced briefly at Chris, knowing he had to keep things quiet for now. "I'll explain it later," Loe muttered quickly, already strategizing their next steps in his head.
Chris, sitting on the couch, looked up, a hint of confusion flashing across his face. "Whoa, whoa, hold on a second. I'm right here. Where are you two going?"
Loe exchanged a quick look with Mark. He knew Chris was their friend, someone they'd grown up with and trusted, but this vigilante business was a whole different level of danger. Keeping Chris out of it had always been their plan—until now.
"I'll explain everything later, Chris," Loe said, trying to move things along quickly. "But we really don't have time to explain right now. This is bigger than any of us thought."
Chris wasn't buying it. He stood up, his eyes narrowing with concern and determination. "If you're in trouble, I'm in. Let's go."
Mark immediately shook his head, stepping forward. "No, you can't go, Chris," he said firmly, his protective instincts kicking in. "This is serious. It's not just a regular problem—we're walking into something dangerous."
Chris crossed his arms defiantly, his face set. "What, I'm your friend and now I can't help? You both know me—I'm good at arnis. I'm not some helpless kid."
Mark's jaw tightened. He knew Chris was capable—he'd sparred with them multiple times, and he could hold his own. But this wasn't a friendly sparring session. "Still," Mark began, his voice heavy with caution. "This isn't something you're trained for, Chris."
Loe, meanwhile, was weighing the risks. He looked at Chris, recalling the times they'd fought together, the times they'd faced down trouble as a group. "Chris is strong, Mark. You know he sparred with us more than once, and he's never backed down from a fight."
Chris gave Loe a grateful look, recognizing that his friend wasn't dismissing him like Mark was.
Mark frowned but wasn't convinced. "But he's not a—"
"Vigilante?" Chris cut him off, raising his eyebrows. "Yeah, I'm not some masked hero like you two. I'm just a civilian, so what? I'm Hilton. The richest family in the world, remember? Do you really think I'm just some ordinary 18-year-old civilian? You both know me—I've trained in martial arts, and I'm more than capable."
Mark opened his mouth to argue, but Chris didn't stop. "And don't forget—when me and Michael fought those gangsters back then, I handled myself just fine. You were there. We took them down together."
Mark couldn't deny that. He vividly remembered that night—Chris had been fearless, diving into the fight without hesitation when a group of thugs tried to mug them after a basketball game. They'd all gotten bruised up, but Chris had held his ground, even disarming one of the gangsters with his arnis sticks. It wasn't just skill; Chris had guts.
Loe took a deep breath. "Mark, we need all the help we can get. Capone's hideout is no joke, and Chris… he's already proven himself."
Mark sighed, the weight of the decision heavy on him. He hated the idea of dragging Chris into this mess, but he couldn't deny that Chris had proven himself time and again. Finally, Mark relented.
"Fine," he said, his voice tight. "But you follow my lead. If I say get out, you get out. No heroics. Got it?"
Chris nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "Got it."
Loe gave Chris a nod of appreciation, then turned his attention to the mission ahead. "Alright, let's gear up and move out. Vivian's already in deep, and we can't afford to waste any more time."
Chris crossed his arms, a frown settling on his face. "You better tell me who Vivian is and why you're all so worked up about this. I don't know any of this!"
Loe sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I get it, I get it. We'll tell you everything along the way, okay?" He kept his tone calm, trying to reassure Chris without revealing too much too soon.
Mark chimed in, adding some urgency to the situation. "We'll fill you in as we move. Just focus on the task at hand. Right now, we need to be ready for anything."
Chris raised an eyebrow, still feeling out of the loop. "How am I supposed to focus when I don't even know what's going on? This sounds serious."
......
Meanwhile, in the lavish office adorned with opulent decor and the scent of expensive cigars, Alphonse Capone sat behind his grand mahogany desk, his expression a mix of confidence and contemplation. Across from him, Lenore Van Ryn, one of Alphonse's top executives, leaned slightly forward, her sharp eyes fixed on Gil Felcoms, a representative of one of New York's wealthiest families.
As they discussed potential partnerships and the intricacies of the underground economy, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Suddenly, a persistent buzzing filled the air, echoing from Alphonse's McCall device.
Alphonse exchanged a knowing glance with Lenore. She understood immediately that this call was important, one that required her to hold the line with Gil while Alphonse stepped away.
"Mr. Felcoms," Alphonse began, his voice smooth and authoritative, "if you'll excuse me, I have a call to answer. Miss Lenore here will entertain you for a bit."
Gil nodded, though a flicker of suspicion crossed his mind. "It's alright. I bet something's going on." He studied Alphonse closely, thoughts racing. You old geezer, what's your real motive?
Alphonse stepped away, moving to a more secluded area of the room to take the call, his demeanor shifting from the charming host to a focused leader.
"What?" Alphonse barked into the device, his patience thinning.
The voice on the other end was strained, filled with urgency. "Sir, we have a situation. A mutant and a soldier are making a scene in our operation as we speak. Litzo is currently engaged in a fight with the mutant."
Alphonse's brows knitted together at the mention of a mutant. He had encountered their kind before—powerful beings with abilities that could turn the tide of any confrontation. The thought of a mutant disrupting his operations was infuriating. He knew the risks they posed, but what alarmed him more was the involvement of Litzo Tatum, a formidable force and one of the leaders of the 69, the mysterious group under Alphonse's boss, Atlas Pendragon Holtwood.
"What do you mean Litzo is fighting?" Alphonse's voice deepened, a dangerous edge creeping in. "Is he holding his ground?"
"For now, but the situation is volatile. We may need reinforcements to deal with this mutant before things escalate further."
Alphonse gripped the device tightly, his mind racing with possibilities. He couldn't afford to lose control over his territory or allow any threats to undermine the power he had built.
"Get more men on it. I want this resolved—now." He ended the call, his expression hardening as he turned back to Lenore and Gil, both of whom were observing him closely.
"Everything alright, Alphonse?" Lenore asked, her voice laced with feigned concern, though she had a keen sense of what might be brewing.
"Just a minor disruption," he replied coolly, masking his agitation. "Nothing we can't handle."
Gil, catching the tension in the air, leaned in slightly. "If you need assistance, I have resources that can help."
Alphonse considered the offer, his mind still racing with thoughts of Litzo and the mutant. "I appreciate it, Mr. Felcoms. But for now, it's best to keep this between us."
Lenore, sensing the weight of the moment, gracefully interjected, "Let's focus on our discussion, shall we? I assure you, Mr. Felcoms, the night is still young, and we have much to discuss."
...
As they resumed their conversation, Alphonse's thoughts remained elsewhere, strategizing how to regain control of his operations and deal with the rising threat to his empire.
As they walked through the dimly lit alleyways of the city, the weight of the decision pressed heavily on Vivian's shoulders. She and her husband, Gustav, navigated the shadows, their footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestones. Vivian's expression was resolute, her mind set on a path that seemed perilous but necessary.
"No, I can't back down, Gustav," she said firmly, determination shining in her eyes. "I need to end this. He's my stepfather, and—" she hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. "I know the shit he's been doing in the past... I have to confront him."
Gustav glanced at her, his brow furrowed with concern. "Vivian, you don't understand the danger you're putting yourself in. Alphonse Capone is not someone you can just waltz up to and demand answers from. He's a monster, and he won't hesitate to use you against anyone."
Vivian stopped and faced him, her resolve unwavering. "I know, okay? I know!" Her voice was fierce, but there was a tremor beneath it—an acknowledgment of the fear that gnawed at her. "But if I don't do this, who will? He's hurt too many people, and I can't just stand by anymore."
Before Gustav could respond, Mindy Williams appeared around the corner, her expression serious and urgent. "Vivian! You can't go in there. Not now. Not without backup."
Vivian's heart raced at the sight of Mindy. "Mindy, you don't understand—"
"I understand more than you think," Mindy interrupted, her tone firm. "Loe and Mark are on their way. They need time to reach you, and going in alone is a death wish."
Gustav stepped closer, taking Vivian's hand. "See? Even Mindy knows this isn't a good idea."
Vivian shook her head, frustration boiling beneath the surface. "But this is about more than just me! This is about everyone he's hurt. If I can get to him before it's too late—"
"You won't be able to get through to him," Mindy urged, her voice softening but still insistent. "He's not the man you think he is anymore. He's ruthless and will do anything to protect his empire."
Vivian's eyes flickered with uncertainty, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. "I have to try," she whispered, looking between Gustav and Mindy.
"What if you get caught in the crossfire?" Gustav pressed, desperation creeping into his voice. "What if he uses you against us?"
Mindy stepped closer, her tone becoming more compassionate. "Vivian, please. You're stronger than this. Let Loe and Mark handle it. They're trained for these situations. You just need to stay safe."
Vivian felt the resolve waver slightly as she considered their words. The fear of the unknown clashed with her need to confront her past, to face the man who had shaped her life in ways she could hardly fathom.
"I can't just wait around while he continues his....-," she said, her voice quieter now, almost pleading. "I need to know the truth."
Mindy took a deep breath, sensing the gravity of the moment. "Alright, then let me help you. Let's buy some time until Loe and Mark get here. Just a little longer, and we'll figure this out together."
Gustav nodded, his expression softening as he looked at his wife. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, but I need you to trust me on this."
Vivian felt her heart swell with love and fear—love for her husband who was willing to protect her, and fear for the darkness that lay ahead. "Okay," she finally agreed, "let's buy some time."
To be continue