That was my signal. Wasting no time and taking full advantage of the distraction, I bolted toward a narrow alley.
It looked like a dead end because of the tight walls on all sides.
But I wasn't planning to stay grounded. I sprinted straight in, pushed off one wall, kicked toward the opposite, and launched myself upward like a free runner.
The thugs chasing me were stunned. They did not expected me to pull something like that.
Couldn't blame them. I rarely used this skill, only trained it in secret… just in case I ever decided to really run from Robert.
Below, they scattered into the alley like rats.
Running across the roof, I leapt over the gap between buildings without slowing down.
When I was sure I lost them, I leapt onto a streetlight pole and slid down, smooth and fast, like a firefighter during emergencies.
By now, those three were probably dead. All I had to do was report what happened.
Carefully, I checked the street for any taxis before stepping out of the shadows.
When one finally appeared, I stepped forward and raised my hand to hail it.
But what stopped wasn't a taxi—it was a white van.
Alarm bells rang in my head. I turned to run, but before I could take a step, a group of gangsters appeared behind me, cutting off my escape.
I sprinted toward the wall, ready to launch myself upward.
"I have your younger sister."
That made me stop—mid-jump.
A man stepped out of the van.
He wore a black coat over a crisp white dress shirt. Not like the thugs behind me. He looked clean. Polished. Like a businessman or some high-ranking official.
"I don't believe you,"
Without a word, he lifted his phone and turned the screen toward me.
It was a photo.
Nathalie. She was unconscious, slumped in the backseat of what looked like an SUV.
"You dare..." I growled through clenched teeth. Dragging family into this was taboo in the gangster world.
"Ren, you should be careful how you talk to me," the man shook his head.
"How do you know my name?"
He chuckled. "Of course I know you. The local thugs said you're the best fighter in Robert's crew."
Then his smile turned colder.
"And they also told me you adore your sister. Can't blame you—she's really pretty. I've had to remind my boys more than once not to lay a finger on her."
"You fucker!"
Stepping forward, I locked eyes on the nearest thug holding a weapon.
If it came to it, I would take it from him and kill every last one of them.
"I have a name. It's Don—leader of the Serpent Tail Gang."
"I don't fucking care! Release her, goddamn it!"
My voice rose, slipping out of my control. Just the thought of her being held hostage by these bastards made me uneasy.
"Let's not be too emotional, Ren. I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to offer you a deal."
I didn't move, but I felt the heat in my chest rise.
"Betray Robert. Help us bring him down. In exchange, your sister goes free… and you walk away twenty grand richer. Cash. No strings."
My lip curled into a sneer. "You expect me to trust you?"
He shook his head. "No. But you don't have a choice. You'll never find her without me."
I hesitated.
"Of course, you could always run. I hear Robert hasn't exactly been good to you lately. How about this—ten grand, cash, and you disappear from the city."
My jaw tightened. "What about my sister?"
"Forget about her. She's not even blood-related to you. I'll make sure she gets into a good club… after I break her in myself."
This bastard never meant to work with me—just played me to lower my guard.
"You're all dead!" I charged.
The nearest thug lunged to stop me.
"Get the fuck out of my way!" I slammed my fist into his throat, grabbed his collar, and hurled him into the others.
Another came from the side with a pipe. I ducked under it, drove my elbow into his ribs, and finished him off with a knee to the jaw.
I was pissed off now, No holding back.
The machete came swinging at me in a wide arc. But I was already inside its range.
I dodged low, let the blade whistle past my shoulder, then caught the attacker's wrist with both hands. With a twist, I forced him to drop it.
The machete was mine.
And I used it without hesitation.
Blood sprayed.
It was no longer a scuffle. It was a bloodbath.
Bodies piled. Groans filled the air. Some tried to run, tripping over their own men just to get away from me.
And as I sent another one to the pavement with a vicious kick to the ribs, I caught a glimpse of movement at the street.
Don.
His smug expression was gone. He watched for one second too long—then turned and bolted for the van.
"GO, GO!" he screamed at his driver, diving inside.
"Shit!" I wanted to chase him—wanted to rip that van door open and drag him out myself. But there were still too many of them.
And worse, I was starting to run out of breath. It was only a matter of time before exhaustion caught up and got me killed.