A few minutes later, Liv held Axel's hand and fastened the cufflink shaped tracker onto his sleeve.
After straightening his cuff, she gave his hand a gentle pat, concern flashing briefly across her face.
"Since you insisted, I picked the best looking tracker I could find. The signal covers all of America, and Europe too. But are you sure you want to walk around with this thing on you?"
As she spoke, Liv poked the tracker lightly with her pinky.
Axel responded by smacking her on the butt.
"Of course I'm sure. This thing is supposed to save me and my driver a lot of bullshit. Is the car ready? If there's no problem, I'm leaving now."
"It's ready. A Chevrolet Tahoe. Plenty of space for tactical gear," Liv said, eyeing his bag. "But you don't look like you brought much. That backpack won't hold much firepower. Next time, call me ahead of time, or come to the club. I can connect you directly to the city's arms suppliers."
"Enough already," Axel cut in. "We'll talk about next time, next time. Bartel, move your ass."
He snatched the car keys from Liv's hand and casually tossed them to Bartel.
Axel walked out of the private room and into the main corridor.
The moment Oswald's men saw Bartel trailing behind him, the atmosphere lit up.
"Bartel, you lucky bastard, new boss already?"
"That's Wraith. He was on TV last night!"
"Yeah, and still no wanted poster. That's the crazy part."
"He hit Kane Hotel this morning too. I saw him driving like a lunatic. Worst driving I've ever seen."
"Welcome to Gotham, Boss Wraith!"
"Drinks tonight, Boss?"
"My brother died by your hand yesterday, Wraith. Once I settle things with my sister in law, I'm coming for you."
"Boss Wraith, catch!"
A thug hurled half a bottle of liquor toward Axel. Axel raised one hand, caught it cleanly, and pressed the bottle straight to his lips.
"Tequila," he said. "My favorite."
He downed half the bottle and smashed it against the floor.
The crowd erupted.
"Boss, our boss Oswald got his ribs broken by you. He's still recovering or he'd be drinking with you right now."
"Boss Wraith, you can really hold your liquor. Come by more often."
"So, Boss Wraith, how was screwing the councilman's daughter? Smooth?"
"Haha, shame you didn't record it."
Axel clapped his hands loudly, cutting through the noise.
"Alright, listen up. Once I'm done with my business, I'll come back and drink with you idiots until we're all dead drunk."
His eyes hardened.
"But right now, get the hell out of my way. Nobody blocks my path."
Bang.
Axel fired a shot into the ceiling. The chandelier shattered, glass raining down as silence swallowed the room.
The crowd parted immediately.
With his bag on his back and a gun in hand, Axel strode out, Bartel close behind.
Just before reaching the exit, Bartel suddenly froze, then hurried to Axel's side.
"Boss, let me carry your bag."
He took the backpack without waiting for permission.
Axel grinned.
"Look at you, finally using your damn head. Keep that up."
"Yes, Boss."
Bartel led Axel outside to the car Liv had arranged.
Two young gang members stood guard nearby, each holding a spiked baseball bat.
One of them, a young woman, stared at Axel with open expectation. She had heard stories about his generosity and was already calculating her reward.
Axel noticed her look. He unzipped the backpack Bartel was holding, pulled out several grenades, and tossed them over.
"No cash on me," he said casually. "Take these. Consider them your tip. Go have fun."
"Boss really is generous," she said excitedly, stuffing the grenades against her chest. "Next time you and Big Sis need help, I'm in."
Once she left, Bartel opened the car door for Axel and then slid into the driver's seat.
Axel showed him the tracker on the phone Liv provided.
Bartel nodded.
"Yeah, that's near the Gotham History Museum. The Dimitrov Family runs a bunch of laundromats there. We'll be there in about twenty minutes."
"Twenty minutes," Axel muttered. "Gotham's a big damn city. Drive. Wake me when we're close."
He leaned back and closed his eyes as the car rolled forward toward Dimitrov territory.
At the same time, in Little Italy, deep in Gotham's East End, Caesar Manor sat quietly under the morning sky.
Falcone lounged on an outdoor sofa, dressed in pajamas, a cigar burning between his fingers. He gestured toward Victor Zsasz.
"Victor, what's the news?"
"Boss, Sophia arrived in Gotham at three this morning. She wants to see you. Also, Jonathan from Arkham Asylum is requesting a meeting."
Falcone nodded slowly.
"Sophia is impatient. She hides it behind that relaxed attitude, but ambition always leaks through. Anyone with eyes can see what she wants. She still has a long way to go."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"As for Jonathan, let him come first. Sophia can wait in my study."
Falcone paused, then added calmly.
"While I rest, deliver 'Home' to the Dimitrov Family. Knowing Axel, he's probably already on his way."
Victor's smile turned sharp.
"Understood. I'll take care of Yuri myself."
He turned and left the garden.
Soon after, Victor sent instructions to Jonathan and Sophia separately, then assembled more than three hundred gunmen and moved toward Dimitrov territory.
Back in the garden, Jonathan stood behind Falcone, adjusting his gold rimmed glasses.
For a split second, disdain flickered in his eyes.
Falcone suddenly turned around.
Jonathan immediately bowed.
"Mr. Falcone, you know why I'm here. Let's be direct."
Falcone gestured to a seat.
"Sit. Tell me what Ra's al Ghul needs. I respect him, even if we don't meet often. If it's within my power, I'll help."
He tapped ash from his cigar into the tray.
Jonathan sat down and placed a silver case on his lap.
Falcone's eyes flicked briefly to it.
Jonathan opened the case and handed over two documents.
"Ra's al Ghul has a shipment arriving in Gotham. The container number and date are there. He wants you to guarantee its safety."
Falcone read quietly.
Jonathan continued.
"He also wants to discuss the Wraith of Gotham. He hopes you'll make time to meet him."
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