“Kill!”
“Kill!”
By the time Darnell returned to the breakfast stall, the battle between the Apex and the Axe was nearing its end. With nearly twenty enemies lured away by Darnell, Nick and the others found their pressure significantly reduced. Coupled with the arrival of a dozen more Apex reinforcements, the tide of the battle quickly turned, and the Axe members were decisively routed.
As the Axe members retreated in disarray, carrying their wounded comrades and scrambling into their vehicles, Nick and his crew erupted into cheers.
Darnell used an axe to pry open the cabinet where Desmond was hidden, instructing the Apex members to carry him away for medical treatment.
“Mr. Halford, thank you,” Nick said, his face beaming as he and his men gathered around. “If you hadn’t lured away those guys, we would’ve been in serious trouble today.”
Though they mocked their fleeing enemies, they all knew the truth-the Axe were more skilled and better organized. Their victory was solely due to Darnell diverting a significant portion of the enemy forces. Without him, they would have been the ones lying on the ground, crying in pain.
Darnell responded indifferently, “It’s nothing. Your father took the fall for me, after all. In this world, it’s all about helping each other out.”
Nick waved his hand dismissively. “My dad said he’s happy to take the blame for you.”
Darnell was slightly surprised by Luca’s willingness to shoulder the responsibility. He then added, “By the way, tell your dad not to start fights so early in the morning. Can’t even enjoy breakfast in peace.”
“Got it!” Nick replied enthusiastically, then curiously asked, “Mr. Halford, what happened to those guys who were chasing you?”
He was puzzled. Dozens of men had gone after Darnell, yet only Darnell had returned.
“I sent them to the police station. They’re probably having tea there right now,” Darnell said, declining the cigarette Nick offered. “You guys should clear out too. The police will be here soon.”
He glanced at his watch. The police would be on duty by now.
“Sent them to the police station?” Nick and the other Apex members were stunned. Twenty skilled fighters, all taken down and handed over to the police? It was hard to believe, but they knew Darnell wasn’t one to lie.
“Mr. Halford, you’re amazing! You’re the best!” they praised, thumbs raised in admiration.
Darnell ignored their flattery and quickly pushed through the crowd toward the breakfast stall. “Areli! Areli!”
Nick and the others followed, thinking something serious had happened.
Darnell banged on the stall’s door. “Boss, open up!”
There was no response, only muffled sounds, as if Areli’s mouth was being covered.
“Bang!”
Darnell didn’t waste any more time. He kicked the glass door with full force.
The lock shattered, but the metal gate behind it held firm.
Before Darnell could strike again, Nick and his men rushed forward, pulling the glass door open and forcing their way through the metal gate.
“Ahhh!”
The people inside the stall screamed in panic. The chubby boss, trembling, held a kitchen knife and shouted, “What do you want?”
Nick stepped forward and delivered two sharp slaps, sending the boss sprawling to the ground. “Nobody move!” he barked, then turned to Darnell with a fawning smile. “Mr. Halford, after you.”
Darnell ignored the boss’s groans and pushed through the crowd. He found Areli at the back, her hands tied and her mouth gagged.
“Let her go!” Darnell ordered, glaring at the three women and one man who were restraining her.
The four immediately released Areli, their faces pale with fear. They hadn’t expected Darnell to return alive.
Nick stepped forward again, slapping each of them across the face. “You dare lay a hand on Mr. Halford’s woman? What were you thinking?”
He quickly pieced together what had happened and roared, “You didn’t let her open the door for Mr. Halford, did you?”
Furious, Nick delivered another round of slaps, leaving the four with swollen cheeks and bleeding lips. Despite the pain, they didn’t dare protest or fight back, instead offering repeated apologies.
“Sorry! We’re so sorry!”
Nick snapped, “Don’t apologize to me! Apologize to this lady!”
The four hurried over to Areli, bowing and scraping as they begged for forgiveness. The owner of the stall and the others joined in, offering their own apologies.
Nick waved them off. “Now get out!”
Once everyone had been driven out, Nick and his men tactfully exited as well, leaving Darnell and Areli alone.
“Miss Fanshaw, are you okay?” Darnell asked, ignoring the others. He had seen the worst of human nature six years ago, during his time in the wilderness. To survive, people had betrayed their closest friends and loved ones. He had witnessed a man gently coaxing his girlfriend to sleep, only to strangle her moments later-all to ensure she wouldn’t slow him down.
Darnell didn’t waste energy being angry at the stall owner and the others. He quickly untied Areli’s bonds and gently rubbed her swollen wrists. “Let me take you to a doctor.”
Areli flexed her hands and straightened her clothes. “No need. I’m going back to the office.”
As Areli moved to leave, Darnell suddenly reached out, planting his hand on the wall beside her face and leaning in close, his presence overwhelming.
Areli’s expression darkened. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Darnell didn’t answer. Instead, he continued to lean in, cornering Areli as his face drew closer to hers. Areli instinctively turned her head away, but Darnell’s proximity was inescapable.
“Darnell, what are you doing?” Areli demanded, her voice tinged with both anger and unease.
Still, Darnell remained silent, his face now inches from hers. Areli could feel the warmth of his breath and catch the faint scent of soy milk on his lips.
Areli stopped trying to retreat and glared at him. “Are you trying to assault me? I’m your superior. I’m Judith’s best friend. Do you really want to cross that line?”
The heat radiating from Darnell’s body made Areli’s voice waver.
“Don’t move,” Darnell said, his tone commanding as he gently grasped her chin. “I’m going to make you taste the soy milk.”
With that, he kissed her, his lips capturing hers with a boldness that left Areli stunned.
“Mm!”
The kiss sent a wave of shock through Areli. Though they had been intimate before, it had been under the influence of drugs. This was the first time they had shared such a moment while fully conscious.
She wanted to resist, but her body refused to cooperate. A mix of embarrassment, anger, and surprise overwhelmed her.
The faint taste of soy milk on Darnell’s lips seemed to ignite something within her. Areli’s body trembled slightly, her cheeks flushing as her hands instinctively reached for Darnell before she quickly pulled them back. In a moment of defiance, she bit down on his lip.
“Ouch!” Darnell pulled back, releasing her, but instead of being angry, he licked his lips and smiled. “Well? Did you taste the soy milk?”