After completing his job with Ryder, Arslan generously shared some of the earnings with his friend before they parted ways. Ryder headed off to a fight at the underground arena, while Arslan made his way to deliver news to Elijah, who was still running his strip club, preferring to stay away from the arena until late at night.
Upon reaching the bustling strip club, Arslan was met with a swift gesture from the bouncer, who wordlessly ushered him inside, anticipating his arrival.
Once inside, Arslan's intention to speak with Elijah about the completed job was quickly overshadowed by the alluring performers gracefully moving around the club. Their captivating presence made it a challenge for Arslan to maintain his focus on the purpose of his visit.
"It's you again!" Mia exclaimed, catching Arslan's attention as he stood there, his gaze fixed on the dancers in a daze.
Arslan, recognizing Mia's voice, swiftly turned around, his hopes briefly flickering with anticipation of seeing her in more revealing attire. However, she was clad in the same type of uniform as earlier, now a striking shade of red and white.
"The boss is waiting for you in his office," Mia informed Arslan before gracefully gliding away, leaving him to ponder the imminent meeting.
Arslan watched as Mia disappeared into the bustling crowd of the strip club, her red uniform standing out among the sea of bodies. With a sense of intrigue and curiosity, he made his way towards the boss's office, guided by the dimly lit hallways that echoed with the faint music from the main room.
As he approached the door, Arslan couldn't shake the image of Mia's captivating presence from his mind. He wondered about the secrets she held, the stories she concealed behind her faint smile.
But Arslan's fleeting thoughts of Mia were swiftly replaced by the anticipation of meeting with Elijah. With a confident knock on the office door, he entered the office upon hearing Elijah's voice beckoning him inside.
Inside the room, Elijah sat back in his chair, the soft glow of the monitors illuminating his features as he adjusted himself upon Arslan's arrival. A cloud of cigar smoke lingered in the air, Elijah's eyes lit up with recognition.
"There he is, my crown jewel champion," Elijah greeted Arslan with a smile, acknowledging his presence in a way that conveyed a sense of pride. Arslan returned the smile as he took a seat.
Arslan sat before Elijah, his expression confident as he delivered the news of the completed job. Elijah's unwavering gaze held a knowing smile, indicating that he was already aware of the successful outcome.
"I know already," Elijah responded calmly, reaching for a piece of paper on his desk. Arslan's curiosity piqued, prompting him to inquire about Elijah's source of information.
"How?" Arslan questioned, his curiosity evident. Elijah's smile grew wider as he revealed the extent of his network.
"I got a call from one of my men in the NYPD. They told me that the idiot was hospitalized, he barley escaped death By the way," Elijah explained, showcasing his resourcefulness. As Arslan contemplated sharing the extra earnings from the job, Elijah preempted him.
"Don't worry about the extra cash. Consider it yours for a job well done," Elijah assured him, recognizing Arslan's unspoken intention. Arslan leaned back in his chair, taking the offered paper and scanning its contents.
"Is this my First Fight as a champion ?" Arslan inquired, recognizing the familiar name on the paper he got, it was the name of a fighter he had encountered before in the underground arena.
"Nope!" Elijah revealed with a grin. "This is your next job," he declared before he took another pull from his cigar.
"Another debt collecting ?" Arslan asked Elijah who shook his head.
"Nah, this is more personal than that," Elijah said as that smile disappeared from his face as he stared at Arslan, " I need you to go and bring his ass here at once."
Arslan stayed silent for a little, he wanted to know more, but was afraid to ask and get a reaction that he wasn't looking for.
"Can you do it ?" Elijah asked Arslan who sat before Elijah, his gaze focused on the job ahead as he absorbed the details on the paper. When Elijah inquired if he could handle it, Arslan's confidence radiated through a single nod, signaling his readiness to face the challenge. Elijah's satisfaction was evident as he rose from his seat.
"Good, I'll send the driver with you. Make sure to bring him here alive for me," Elijah instructed Arslan, emphasizing the importance of the target's condition upon arrival. Arslan nodded in acknowledgment, his determination unwavering.
Before leaving, Arslan paused at the door, a crucial question surfacing in his mind. "What about the payment?" he inquired, mindful of the transaction that awaited him. Elijah, momentarily puzzled, quickly reassured him.
"Oh, don't worry, kid. I'll take care of you. The car will be waiting for you at the back door," Elijah reassured Arslan, his words echoing with a sense of trust that had been forged over time. With a nod of understanding, Arslan exited the office, his focus now set on fulfilling the next job at hand.
Arslan, on his way out, intercepted Mia, who appeared preoccupied with her own tasks. "Hey, Can you do me favor," Arslan said to the beauty who seemed extremely busy.
"I don't have time to play with you" She said and was about to leave. Despite her initial dismissive response, Arslan's urgency compelled him to halt her departure by firmly grasping her arm.
"I'm serious," Arslan stated, his demeanor earnest and resolute. Recognizing the gravity of his request, Mia paused and met his gaze, a silent exchange passing between them before she acquiesced with a single nod.
Arslan retrieved the envelope from his pocket and entrusted it to Mia, instructing her to hold onto it until his return. Mia's familiarity with such items stirred a sense of hesitation within her, fearing the responsibility that came with safeguarding it. However, Arslan's unwavering trust in her abilities eased her doubts as he placed the envelope securely in her hands.
"Don't worry, I trust you to keep it safe," Arslan reassured Mia before swiftly departing, leaving her with the weight of his trust and the precious package in her care.
Mia stared at him as he walked away while holding that envelope before she quickly started covering it by her chest with both of her hands as she started running quickly toward her office.
================
As Arslan settled into the plush interior of the SUV, the vehicle smoothly gliding away from the vibrant lights of the club, his gaze fixated on a small, desolate house in the dimly lit neighborhood they approached. The eerie sight of the abandoned dwelling, shrouded in darkness with its boarded-up windows, sent a shiver down his spine, hinting at the mysteries that awaited within.
"Are you sure this is the location?" Arslan's voice broke the silence, his eyes flickering to the driver seated beside him, seeking confirmation.
Without hesitation, the driver nodded, his voice steady as he affirmed, "Yes, he hangs out here with his crew all the time." A sense of foreboding hung in the air as the driver reached under the seat, retrieving a mysterious object wrapped in cloth, which he then handed to Arslan. "Here, this is for you," he stated, his tone laced with an undercurrent of seriousness.
Arslan's fingers traced the outline of the package, a weighty familiarity settling in as he recognized the form of a gun concealed within. His eyes widened in surprise, uncertainty flashing across his features. "I don't think I'm going to need this here," Arslan hesitated, attempting to return the firearm to the driver. However, the driver remained resolute, refusing to take it back.
"Not my problem. I was told to give it to you," the driver's voice held a hint of finality as he unlocked the car doors, signaling the beginning of their mission.
Taking a deep breath, Arslan exited the vehicle, securing the gun at his back as a sense of unease lingered in the air. With each step toward the ominous house, the distant sounds and muffled voices grew louder, painting a picture of revelry and secrecy concealed behind the worn facade of the vacant dwelling.
Arslan, guided by stealth and determination, approached a boarded window, his trained eye scanning the exterior for a gap to peer through. With caution, he found a small opening and cautiously peeked inside, revealing a scene of revelry within the dimly lit room. Four men, caught up in the moment, danced and bantered with a group of women, their laughter echoing in the confined space.
However, Jon, the elusive target, remained elusive amidst the merriment. Arslan's brow furrowed in concentration as he scanned the room, his sharp eyes missing no detail in the search for his mark.
"Could he be in another room?" Arslan mused softly to himself, his mind already formulating a plan. Without hesitation, he moved to other windows, each peek offering a glimpse into different scenes of the ongoing gathering until, at last, his keen gaze settled on Jon.
There, in a moment of unsuspecting vulnerability, Jon sat in solitude in the restroom, engrossed in his phone as he attended to his private affairs. Arslan's focus sharpened as he registered the target's location, his resolve solidifying as he prepared to make his move.