As Logan and Elsa left the meeting, the weight of Salvador's words still lingered. The cartel leader had been pleased with Elsa's success in Moscow, but Logan knew better than to let his guard down. Salvador never gave praise without a purpose.
Julian had been humiliated, but Logan knew the man wouldn't let it slide. Arrogant pricks like him always found a way to retaliate.
And then there was Amara.
She had barely spoken throughout the meeting, but Logan had felt her gaze on him more than once. Her reaction to seeing him with Elsa had been subtle, but he knew what he saw—disappointment, frustration, something buried deep.
This wasn't over.
---
As they reached Logan's car, Elsa leaned against the door, arms crossed. "That went well," she mused, eyeing him with amusement.
Logan smirked. "Julian looked like he got punched in the gut."
"He deserved it," Elsa said without hesitation. Then, her expression softened. "But Amara…"
Logan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. I noticed."
Elsa tilted her head slightly. "Do you think she's going to be a problem?"
Logan thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. "Not in the way Julian will be. Amara's calculating. If she does something, it won't be reckless—it'll be planned."
Elsa stepped closer, resting a hand on his chest. "Then we'll be ready."
Logan smirked. "We?"
She rolled her eyes. "Obviously. You're not doing this alone."
Logan let out a low chuckle before pulling her into a kiss. When they broke apart, he opened the car door for her. "Let's go. The others are waiting."
---
Logan pulled up to the new building they had secured as their base of operations. It wasn't flashy, but it was spacious, discreet, and perfect for their needs. A former warehouse converted into a modern living space, complete with an underground garage, training area, and secure storage for weapons and gear.
Inside, Matthew was already setting up a workstation for his tech projects, while William inspected the reinforced security systems. Jessica was lounging on the couch, scrolling through potential jobs on her tablet.
"Took you long enough," Matthew called out, not looking up from his work. "Had to deal with cartel drama?"
"Something like that," Logan muttered as he and Elsa walked in. Midnight, perched on a railing, let out a small cry and flew over to land on Logan's shoulder.
Jessica glanced up. "So, what's next?"
Logan took a deep breath. "Now? We get stronger. Because war is coming, and we need to be ready."
The room fell silent for a moment before William nodded. "Then let's get to work."
---
The hum of the Peugeot e-Boxer van filled the air as Matthew drove through the outskirts of Ciudad Juárez, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the steering wheel. The sun was setting, casting an orange hue over the landscape, as the city gradually gave way to more discreet and less lawful territories.
Seated in the passenger seat, Jessica leaned back, her arms crossed as she watched the road ahead. "You sure about this place?" she asked, glancing at him. "Some black markets are straight-up traps."
Matthew smirked. "Trust me, I did my research. This place is legit… well, as legit as an illegal synth-tech market can get."
Jessica raised an eyebrow. "And the name?"
Matthew exhaled, slowing the van as they approached an old industrial district. "It's called 'El Vínculo Oscuro.'"
Jessica chuckled. "The Dark Link? Dramatic."
Matthew shot her a sideways glance. "Yeah, well, criminals love their edgy names."
She smirked. "So do you."
He didn't argue.
---
They parked the van in a hidden lot near an abandoned warehouse, its exterior covered in graffiti and worn metal plating. The entrance was guarded by two heavily armed men, their glowing cybernetic eyes scanning everyone who passed. The market wasn't open to just anyone—it required connections, credibility, or cash.
Matthew and Jessica walked up to the guards, who eyed them with suspicion.
One of them, a tall man with a cybernetic arm, spoke first. "New faces. Who sent you?"
Matthew pulled a small encrypted device from his pocket and flashed a transaction log—a direct purchase from one of the suppliers inside. "Got a shopping list. I'm here to buy."
The guard studied the display before nodding and stepping aside. "No trouble. You break something, you pay triple."
Jessica smirked. "We'll behave… probably."
The doors opened, revealing a bustling underground market filled with tech dealers, arms smugglers, and cybernetic specialists. Stalls displayed illegal weapon mods, prototype augmentations, and rare materials unavailable in legal markets.
---
As they moved through the aisles, Matthew's eyes lit up at the selection. He stopped at a vendor selling high-density energy cells, scanning the specs with keen interest.
Jessica leaned in. "So, what's the plan? Get what you need and get out?"
Matthew hesitated before nodding toward a workshop stall where a mechanic was repairing an advanced prosthetic limb. "Actually… I was thinking. Before I sign up for that death sport, maybe I could try something else first."
Jessica arched a brow. "Like what?"
Matthew rubbed his chin. "Selling some of my less tactical tech here. If I can build a name in the black market, I might not need to risk my life fighting psychos for money. If people demand my creations, I can turn this into a real business."
Jessica studied him for a moment before giving a slow nod. "I like that idea. And honestly? I'd rather see you making money with your brain than getting shot in a death match."
Matthew smirked. "What, you don't think I could win?"
Jessica nudged him playfully. "I think your mouth would get you killed before the match even starts."
Matthew chuckled. "Fair point. That's why you're here—to keep me from pissing off the wrong people."
Jessica smirked. "Damn right."
With that, they got to work, gathering materials while Matthew laid the foundation for something bigger than just survival—his own empire in the underground tech world.
---
Matthew and Jessica continued browsing through El Vínculo Oscuro, moving between stalls stacked with cybernetic components, rare energy cores, and illicit weapon mods. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of burning metal and engine grease, with the occasional spark of welding torches illuminating the dimly lit corridors.
Jessica's sharp eyes scanned the vendors, noting the types of people who operated in the market. Some were discreet professionals, while others were ruthless opportunists.
Matthew stopped in front of a small vendor stall run by an older man with cybernetic arms. A display case held micro-reactors and power regulators, exactly what Matthew was looking for.
"Nice tech," Matthew said, nodding at the equipment. "I need a few high-capacity energy cells and a pulse stabilizer."
The vendor squinted at him. "Expensive taste, kid. You paying cash or trade?"
Matthew smirked. "I could pay, but I'd rather make a deal. I build and modify tech—better than most people here. Maybe we can work something out."
The vendor scoffed. "Everyone says they're the best. What can you do that I can't?"
Matthew pulled a small device from his pocket—a prototype he had been working on. He pressed a button, and the device generated a compact energy field, stabilizing the power fluctuations of nearby electronics.
The vendor's eyes widened. "A dynamic energy balancer… that small? That's not bad, kid."
Jessica crossed her arms. "Not bad? It's probably better than half the stuff you're selling."
The vendor grumbled but leaned forward with interest. "Fine. You give me the schematics, I'll give you a discount on the parts."
Matthew shook his head. "You get one unit for free. If you want the schematics, you'll have to buy exclusive rights from me."
The vendor studied him for a long moment before smirking. "You've got guts. Alright, I'll consider it. Let's get your parts sorted first."
Jessica nudged Matthew. "See? Told you this could work."
Matthew grinned. "Yeah, yeah. Maybe you're always right."
Jessica smirked. "Damn right I am."
As they finalized their purchases, Jessica suddenly tensed, her sharp instincts picking up on something—or someone—watching them. She turned her head slightly and spotted a figure in a hooded coat leaning against a nearby wall, his gaze locked onto them.
"We've got eyes on us," she whispered to Matthew.
Matthew followed her line of sight and frowned. "You know him?"
Jessica shook her head. "No. But I don't like the way he's looking at us."
The hooded figure took a step forward, hands casually in his coat pockets. "Relax. I'm not here to start anything."** His voice was calm, smooth. "I just heard someone in the market was showing off some impressive tech. Thought I'd take a look for myself."**
Matthew crossed his arms. "And who exactly are you?"
The man smirked. "Just someone interested in talent. The name's Soren. And let's just say… I know good business when I see it."
Jessica's eyes narrowed. "What kind of business?"
Soren tilted his head slightly. "The kind that pays well—if you're willing to take risks."
Matthew exchanged a glance with Jessica before turning back to Soren. "We're listening."
Soren smiled. "Good. Because I think we can make each other very rich."
---
Matthew studied Soren for a moment, weighing his words. The man had an air of confidence, the kind that came from experience in the underworld. But Matthew wasn't reckless—he knew a dangerous deal when he saw one.
He shook his head. "Appreciate the offer, but I'm not looking to take on any risky business right now."
Soren chuckled, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. "Smart kid. I respect that."
Jessica, still on edge, narrowed her eyes. "So that's it? No threats? No 'you'll regret this' bullshit?"
Soren smirked. "Not my style." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black card with his name and contact details on it, handing it to Matthew. "I'm not the kind of guy who holds grudges. If you ever need something special—custom tech, rare parts, hard-to-find materials—give me a call."
Matthew took the card, glancing at it before slipping it into his pocket. "I'll keep that in mind."
Soren gave a casual nod. "Pleasure meeting you both. Try not to get into too much trouble." With that, he turned and walked off, disappearing into the bustling market crowd.
Jessica exhaled, finally relaxing. "That guy gives me weird vibes."
Matthew chuckled. "Yeah, but at least he wasn't an asshole about it." He tapped the pocket where he kept Soren's card. "Might come in handy one day."
Jessica sighed. "Just don't go making deals with devils, alright?"
Matthew smirked. "No promises."
The two exchanged a look before heading off to finish gathering the last of the materials. Their business in El Vínculo Oscuro was far from over, but for now, Matthew had what he needed—and a new connection that could change everything in the future.
---