Chapter 364Kai returned to his room, settling onto the edge of the bed as he replayed the encounter with the manager in his head. An idea began to form, lighting up his thoughts with a flash of inspiration.What if he could use the girl as bait, he might draw out Scarface’s men or other gang members. They’d probably be less on guard around her, and it could be the perfect opportunity to gather intel without raising suspicion.Acting on the idea immediately, Kai sprang up and hurried out the door, making his way downstairs. As he entered the lobby, he approached the receptionist, a stern-looking woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense air about her.“I need to speak to the manager,” he said, trying to keep his tone calm but urgent.The receptionist held his gaze for a moment before sighing and jerking her thumb toward the far corner of the lobby. “He’s over there,” she said bluntly, her voice devoid of any warmth. “Try not to waste his time.”Kai nodded his thanks and followed her ges
Chapter 365The crowd in the lobby erupted, chanting, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” as more people gathered, drawn to the commotion. Kai glanced around, his eyes narrowing as he took in the audience.The fierce-looking man puffed out his chest, emboldened by the chants and by the assumption that he’d have no trouble taking down someone like Kai.Sizing Kai up, the man grinned, rolling his shoulders and cracking his knuckles. He looked like he was ready to turn Kai into a pile of bruises. Kai, however, remained calm, his gaze steady and calculating. With a snarl, the man swung a wild punch at Kai, aiming straight for his jaw. But Kai moved with surprising speed, sidestepping the blow effortlessly. Before the man could react, Kai lifted his leg and delivered a brutal kick to the groin.The man’s face contorted in pain, and he staggered backward, clutching himself as gasps rippled through the crowd. People exchanged glances, the initial confidence in the big man's success quickly dissipating.
Chapter 366Back in his room, Kai locked the door, his mind already drifting to the task ahead.He glanced at the petite girl as she sat down on the edge of the chair, her posture tense, hands clasped nervously in her lap. She looked as though she might break into pieces if the wrong words were said.And It didn’t take a genius like kai Nakamura to see she was probably new to this line of work. Well, that’s her business, not mine, he thought, dismissing the idea.He checked his watch—still just past 8 PM. Two more hours to kill before he’d be heading out into the murky depths of Red Waters, the part of town where danger was a fact of life. The information he needed would be there, and he’d be ready.He was pulled from his thoughts when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. The girl had stood up, her movements hesitant yet intentional. She leaned in closer, her fingertips brushing his arm with a tentative softness as she attempted to meet his eyes. Her gaze was almost pleading, her li
Chapter 367After a long pause, Kai finally spoke again, his voice more casual this time. “You mentioned your mom is sick,” he said, his eyes steady on hers. “What exactly is wrong with her?”Lina hesitated for a moment, her fingers once again twining nervously in her lap. Her gaze fell to the floor, and for a long time, she didn’t speak, the weight of her words seemingly too heavy to carry. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before meeting Kai’s eyes again.“My father died when I was young,” she began, her voice quiet, but steady enough to tell her story. “He was a soldier. He was never really home. When he was around, it was for brief moments, and then… he was gone.” Her eyes flickered briefly with sorrow, but she quickly pushed the emotion down, focusing on her mother instead.She paused, unsure of how to explain. “After he died, my mother had to take care of everything. She was already struggling with her health before that. But she never stopped. She worked, doing whatever
Chapter 368It was around 10 p.m. when Kai and Lina stepped out of the hotel room. The quiet hum of the hotel lobby seemed to grow louder as they walked through it, and the chatter of the few remaining patrons began to swell.All eyes turned toward them as they moved across the floor. Some guests who had witnessed the earlier commotion, the fight between Kai and the fierce looking man, exchanged glances and whispers.They assumed they had just finished with their assumptions based on the earlier tension. The couple’s appearance in the lobby, with the air of quiet finality around them, made it clear what they thought had occurred. Whispers of “finished already?” and “how was it?” echoed through the room.The manager, Mr. Wibblebottom, was quick to notice them. His burly frame loomed large as he scurried across the lobby, a wide grin on his face. He moved with a sense of eagerness, his eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and business-minded anticipation.“How was the sex? Did she
Chapter 369Kai squeezed Lina’s hand, his grip firm but not comforting. He could sense the nervous energy radiating from her, the mix of anxiety and uncertainty that came with venturing into a dangerous part of town. He knew it was his mission tonight, but her presence complicated things. She was a distraction, but one that might also be useful, depending on how things went.Lina, still not quite sure where things stood between them, stayed close to him. Her steps were hesitant at first, but as they moved further into the dead of night, her pace quickened, as if the cold night air could erase some of the tension from the lobby.“I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” Kai said, his voice low as they walked side by side, the city’s shadows swallowing their figures. He didn’t look at her, but the words were meant for her, a reassurance he didn’t often offer.Lina nodded, though she still wasn’t sure if she could trust his words entirely. She had heard enough about the dangers of t
Chapter 370Every now and then, a flash of movement would catch Kai’s eye, only to disappear just as quickly, as if the very walls were alive with a silent, unseen threat.Dilapidated bars and grimy establishments lined the streets, each one exuding a faint, eerie glow from flickering neon signs.They bore names like “The Devil’s Flask” and “Hell’s Haven,” each establishment promising a night of vice and danger to those willing to take the risk.The windows were mostly blacked out or covered with metal bars, and only slivers of dim light seeped through, revealing shadowy figures hunched over tables or lurking by the doors. Music spilled out from some of the buildings, a strange blend of heavy bass and discordant tunes that added to the unsettling atmosphere, pulsing like the heartbeat of The Abyss itself.Every corner seemed to have its own assortment of figures—a group of rough-looking men leaned against a wall, their eyes following Kai and Lina with cold amusement; a pair of women i
Chapter 371As the moon rose above the horizon, casting a fair glow on the landscape, Williams, Kane, Tom, and the rugged man marked by deep scars made their way to the border crossing into Emerald Falls.The air was thick with anticipation as they approached the checkpoint, where the towering gates stood framed by lush greenery. Shadows danced around them as the trees swayed gently in the night breeze, adding an almost eerie quality to the atmosphere.Williams adjusted the straps of his backpack, his eyes scanning for any sign of trouble, while Kane exchanged a few wary glances with Tom, who was busy observing the scarred man.The scarred man's intense gaze hinted at a tumultuous past, an unsung story hidden behind his weathered exterior.The group's nerves were palpable as they prepared to step into the city of Emerald Falls. Instead of flying, Williams suggested they take a black SUV, which they used.As the black SUV sped along the main highway leading into Emerald Falls, Williams