Chapter 359
In less than half an hour, the other side agreed to Asclepius’s terms, as long as the patient could be saved.
Charlotte sat at the table, her cheek propped on her pale hand, gazing at a
breakfast spread that looked almost too perfect. It made her think of mornings at home, back when Anthony was around. She glanced at her companions across the table. Everything felt different now. Nothing was the same.
She lost her appetite in an instant.
“Get in touch with them. I’m heading over,” Charlotte said, setting down her fork. She leaned back, eyes drifting to the window as a wave of longing washed over her. She missed Anthony more than she liked to admit.
Breakfast wrapped up quickly and the three of them piled into the car, headed for a manor on the edge of the city.
Adonis drove, his eyes fixed on the road. Jackson sat up front, a gun balanced in his hand. Things in Apex had been tense lately. Rumor had it someone had messed with X Organization’s turf, nearly trashed their underground casino, and even got the attention of the top boss.
X Organization was Apex’s biggest player. Founded more than ten years ago, their influence stretched everywhere. No one could touch them. Back when Charlotte’s N Organization tried to carve out territory, it was X Organization that crushed them. She had no choice but to move her people out and find a foothold on another continent. If it weren’t for X Organization, she’d be the one running this city.
That was a score she planned to settle someday.
About thirty minutes later, a grand Gothic manor appeared through the windshield, towering and dramatic.
Charlotte gave it a quick once-over, pulled a mask from her bag, and slipped it on. She checked her compact pistol, tucked it away, and looked at Jackson and Adonis. “Listen to my orders. Don’t do anything reckless.”
“Yes, Charlotte,” they answered together.
She hoped the client would cooperate. If not, Adonis was already toying with a tiny explosive in his palm, a cold smile tugging at his lips. He wouldn’t mind running a little experiment right here.
Their car stopped at the manor gates. A man in his fifties, dressed like a butler, stepped out to greet them.
Jackson and Adonis got out first, guns ready, eyes sharp as they shielded the car. “Asclepius?” the butler asked, voice careful and respectful.
“That’s us,” Adonis replied, chin lifted.
“This way, please. Mr. Patton is waiting for you,” the butler said, almost breathless with relief.
“You’ve got the wrong person. Asclepius is still in the car.” Adonis put away his weapon and rapped on the window. “Asclepius, coming?”
“Yes.” Charlotte’s words were steady and cool. She stepped out, long legs unfolding from the car, her eyes glanging over the butler as if sizing him up. “Lead the way.”
“Of course right this way.” The butler was clearly surprised. Even with the mask, it was obvious that the
legendary Asclepius was just a
young man.
He led them through a garden and into a stylish hall. As they walked, Charlotte
asked about the patient.
The patient was a
twenty-five-year-old man, beaten
half to death after causing a scene at X. Organization’s underground casino. Only after things got out of hand did they rush to find Asclepius.
“Asclepius, please, you have to save Patton,” the butler pleaded, his voice tight with worry.
Someone hurt by X Organization? When Charlotte heard this, a sly smile touched her lips and a glimmer of mischief sparked in her eyes.
“Don’t worry. He’s not going to die,” she said quietly.
If X Organization wanted him dead, she was going to make sure he survived.