Chapter 201
The light grew closer, pausing just outside the abandoned factory.
Isaias, flashlight in hand, grumbled under his breath. “Hudson’s being way too cautious. What’s he waiting for?”
Another man shot him a sharp look, annoyance in his eyes. “We can’t afford mistakes. Quit whining and get it done.”
Isaias rolled his eyes. “Don’t we have an informant? Let him deliver the food for once–these rations are disgusting”
“He has other uses.”
The two finished their business and left, heading toward
the factory.
Aria, as silent as a shadow, tailed them from a safe distance and pulled out her binoculars.
“Hudson, Aria’s phone hasn’t moved at all. You think she hasn’t noticed us?” Isaias asked, uneasy.
“No way.” Hudson shook his head, frowning. “Solemnity Guild said she’s been trained. We can’t act rashly.”
All they knew was that Aria had once been an assassin for the Solemnity Guild.
What they didn’t know was her true identity–Echohawk.
That bit of information was deliberately kept from them; if Hudson had known, he’d never have dared covet Aria’s money.
“So how long are we waiting?” Isaias muttered.
Hudson had already checked–the authorities in Huthailia seemed unaware of their illegal entry.
But the longer they stayed, the more likely they were to get caught.
This had to end quickly.
“I’ve mapped out our escape route for tonight,” Hudson ordered. “Contact our guy and have him lure Aria here. There’s so many of us–taking down a single assassin should be a piece of cake. Once she’s here, the money’s as good as ours.”
The only real problem was escaping afterward, but with their inside man and a retreat plan in place, Hudson felt confident.
“Everyone get some rest. There’s a tough fight ahead once we start pulling out.”
“Yes, sir.”
The heavy doors closed. Aria stashed her binoculars and slipped away, guessing from the movement that their plan was about to begin.
Hudson thought he’d slipped into Huthailia without a trace, but he had no idea they’d been under surveillance the whole time.
She took a different route back and met up at the rendezvous.
Together with Owen and Fryderyk, they sketched out the escape routes.
After hearing their analysis, Aria rubbed her temples. “You guys get some rest. I’ll pull this all together.”
Owen stood up and said, “Eat something first, then get some sleep. I’ll make some pasta.”
Fryderyk, about to leave, paused and sat back down. “Make me a plate too.”
“Sure.” Owen headed for the kitchen but stopped, glancing back.
1/3
Chapter 201
The two inside were close together—Aria meticulously marking up maps while Fryderyk alternated between watching her and the plans
The light cast a warm, peaceful glow over them.
Owen narrowed his eyes and called, “Fryderyk, come give me a hand.”
Without thinking much of it, Fryderyk followed him out. Owen tossed him a tomato. “Dice it.”
Fryderyk washed the tomato and, unsure, asked, “How do you want it cut?”
“In cubes.”
Owen busied himself boiling pasta and beating eggs.
He glanced over–and stopped in surprise. On the cutting board, the tomato was carved into the “cube” character instead of actual cubes.
Owen was speechless, one brow raised. “What are you doing?”
“You said ‘cut in cubes“,” Fryderyk replied, clueless but dutiful.
Owen nearly laughed. “You’ve never cooked before, have you?”
“Never.” Fryderyk admitted honestly.
“Just wait outside,” Owen said, amused.
Fryderyk washed his hands and stood aside, but didn’t leave. Watching Owen work with practiced ease, he couldn’t help but comment, “Didn’t think you
could cook.”
“If you can’t cook, you can’t get a date. You should learn,” Owen said dryly.
Fryderyk couldn’t quite tell if he was being mocked or given real advice. “So, do you have someone in mind?”
Owen shot him a sidelong look. “We’re not close enough for that kind of question.”
“Fair enough,” Fryderyk replied, dropping the subject.
Once Aria finished marking the three routes, she brought the plans next door.
The men brought out the pasta.
Aria went to wash her hands, then sat down, ready to dig in.
“Careful, it’s hot,” Owen and Fryderyk said in unison.
Aria glanced at them, deadpan. “Do I look stupid?”
She blew on her soup and took a sip. The men fell silent, focusing on their meal.
After his first bite, Fryderyk’s eyes widened. “Wow, didn’t expect you to cook this well. This is really good.”
“Thanks,” Owen replied.
Just then, Aria’s phone buzzed. It was Mason.
She put down her fork and answered. “Ms. Saxon, they really contacted me,” Mason’s voice trembled, barely masking his panic.
Both Owen and Fryderyk looked over.
Chapter 201
“They want you to lure me there, right?” Aria asked.
“Yeah, they didn’t give me an address, just threatened my family if I didn’t cooperate. Ms. Savori, please you’ve got to help me. I never stote any money,
I only ever took a picture of you at Seacrest Law and bailed out one of their guys.”
He’d always drawn a line, refusing their worst requests.
Aria was nonchalant. “What’s the rush? Just do what they say.”
“But I’ll be breaking the law!” Mason fretted.
“I’ll testify for you.”
“But what if–what if you die?” Mason stammered.
Aria snorted. “You’re awfully timid for an informant.”
Mason sniffed, feeling aggrieved. “It’s not like I’m a real informant, my info was only half–true anyway.”
“Relax–they won’t touch your family,” Aria said calmly.
She handed the phone to Fryderyk, who gave Mason a few more instructions until he finally calmed down.
When the call ended, Aria just kept eating pasta, face calm as ever.
Fryderyk returned her phone. “What’s your plan?”
“I’ll go. You two stay outside for backup.”
“No way,” Fryderyk shot back, “it’s too risky. We should ambush them when they send someone to meet you.”
“If you strike too early, they’ll scatter. I know what I’m doing,” Aria said. “Trust me.”
Fryderyk turned to Owen, hoping he’d back him up.
Owen obliged. “Aria can handle herself. If she’s going, she’s got it under control. Don’t worry, Mr. Fletcher.”
Fryderyk hesitated, then relented. “Owen, you go with her.”
Aria arched a brow. “And what, exactly, is his cover?”
Fryderyk replied, deadpan, “You’re her secret lover.”
AD
Comment
