The night was silent as smoke, a cold chill rising over the sea, hinting at an unsettling atmosphere.
Sookie rarely traveled by boat; she clutched her coat tightly, pulling her hat snugly over her head. She gazed solemnly at the water, praying that everything ahead would be uneventful.
Tessa sensed her tension, reaching out to comfort Sookie with a touch on her back.
“Thanks… I’m okay, just not used to being out at sea,” Sookie acknowledged Tessa’s kindness, managing a faint smile and a glint of gratitude in her eyes.
The boat headed towards Mexico, everything seemingly proceeding smoothly. Tessa received a call from Enzo, who informed them of a safe landing spot in Matamoros and inquired about their well-being.
“The landing point is in Matamoros, near a farmer I’ve arranged for you to stay with,” Enzo said.
“A farm? Are you kidding me?” Tessa rolled her eyes in disdain.
“In moments of emergency, it’s a safer option.”
“Fine,” Tessa, a bit impatient, had no choice. She had never been to the dirty, grimy places like farms.
As the boat entered the Gulf of Mexico, its speed increased, the only motion on the sea. Gradually, the sky tinged red, shrouded by thick fog over the sea, the sound of the engine growing louder. Though they were close to the shore, it seemed unusual; it sounded like more than one boat was approaching.
“Wait, something’s not right,” Tessa gazed into the distant fog, spotting faint flickering lights. Her eyes widened in terror. “Everyone, get down! Quickly!”
Gunshots suddenly rang out from the direction of the lights onto the boat where Sookie and the others were. The abrupt gunfire made Sookie cower in fear, holding her head tightly.
“What’s happening?!” She trembled, her voice hoarse as she asked Tessa, who was also crouched on the ground.
“It’s Barton and his gang! Damn it, they’ve caught up!” The other boat, looming closer through the fog, had a burly, menacing man standing on it, aiming an AR-15 directly at Sookie and the others on the boat.
Barton’s boat collided with Tessa’s, and they jumped onto Tessa’s boat, approaching the two girls who were lying on the ground.
“Hey, princesses! I’ve come to get you!” Sookie saw the man’s black boots. Her eyes followed them up to his leering smile, revealing his slyness. Barton grabbed Sookie’s hair, pulling her head up, whistling.
“Such a pretty girl, haven’t seen one like you before,” he said. Inappropriate as it was, desire ignited in his eyes, his other hand involuntarily groping her.
Sookie’s hair stung from the pull, her chest pained, but she held back her tears. Despite her fear, she refused to bow to this villain.
“Tessa, who is he?” Sookie asked, watching Barton’s every move.
“He’s got nothing to do with you!” Tessa snapped back. Barton’s men pulled her up and bound her hands with rope.
“Hah, princess, you’re still as fiery as ever,” Barton laughed, taking another rope and tying Sookie’s hands to a nearby post. “But… I like you, my little wildcat.” He then left Sookie, approaching Tessa, licking her cheek.
“The son of a bitch!” Tessa, disgusted and furious, spat at Barton. He laughed at her reaction.
The boat soon reached the shore, the fog shrouding the dimly lit surroundings.
Barton and his men pushed them off the boat, and they stumbled into a villa on the beach. As Barton opened the door, Enzo fired a shot from inside the villa’s hall.
“Shit! They’re here!” Barton swiftly evaded the shot, pulling Sookie against a pillar, causing her to whimper in pain.
Enzo had repeatedly tried to call Tessa, sensing trouble. He immediately had Tery track Sookie’s phone location. Instead of Matamoros, it led them to a coastal area. Enzo, Tery, and Landon quickly arrived, discovering Barton’s villa and realizing the situation-Sookie and Tessa had been abducted.
“Release them, let’s talk,” Enzo spoke icily to Barton from behind the pillar.
“Talk? Talk with your life on the line?” Barton retorted angrily. “When you took over my territory, killed my brothers, did you intend to talk then?”
“Is holding a gun on me your idea of negotiation?” Barton raised his eyebrows, then turned, pressing Sookie against himself, confronting Enzo.
Enzo, seeing the frightened and tearful Sookie, softened for a moment.
“Fine, I’m putting down the gun now. You release them,” he said.
Barton didn’t miss Enzo’s expression, and he was convinced that this girl was important to him. He suddenly felt more confident. He gestured for his men to take Enzo’s gun, then raised his hands, looking smug.
“Haha… I never thought the leader of the Shadowy Saints would surrender one day,” Barton said, pushing Sookie forward, intending to capture them all. But as he let go, Enzo swiftly disarmed his men, then retrieved his own gun and shot Barton three times before taking Sookie.
As Barton’s left arm was hit, he, in anger, fired two shots at Sookie’s back.
“Ugh!” The cloth in Sookie’s mouth turned red, her pupils dilated, and she collapsed into Enzo’s arms.
“Sookie!” Enzo shouted loudly, holding the girl in his arms, his eyes filled with anxiety and urgency. But soon, his eyes were clouded with anger.
“Kill them all!” he said coldly, hidden behind, Tery and Landon immediately understood his meaning, raising their guns and starting to shoot at the enemy.
Landon’s shot perfectly hit the forehead of the man holding Tessa, and he quickly pulled out a small knife, cutting Tessa’s ropes and handing her a gun.
The mafia princess immediately joined the fight, the battle erupting quickly.
The four of them were agile, each shot precise, completely overwhelming Barton’s men, who were now crying out for help.
Enzo looked at the fallen Barton with a murderous look, but Tessa stopped him.
“The priority is to save Sookie as soon as possible; she looks weak.” Tessa, filled with concern, spoke as she observed Sookie’s pale face.
“Darling, are you okay? Hang in there. I’ll take you to the hospital right now.” Enzo finally snapped out of it, looking at the unconscious girl in his arms. He picked up Sookie and dashed out of the living room towards the direction of the helicopter.