South Border 2:02 am.
23 Miles. Vinniger Lane.
Antonio sat unconscious. Blood trickled down his forehead. Katherine lay unconscious beside him; then he heard it—Mila's cries. But he caught movement in the rearview mirror. Mbali walked slowly. Antonio leaned back, and he played dead. Her heels crunched softly on broken glass. She peeped through the windows. Inside, Antonio and Katherine looked helpless. Mbali forced the door open and aimed her gun at Antonio's head. "I'm not dumb, jackass." she said. Her finger tightened on the trigger… But quickly, he ripped the Glock from her grip. The gun was suddenly in his hand—aimed at her face. "Step back." he threatened. Mbali raised her hands and backed away. He stepped out of the car. "Who sent you, huh? Was it Max?" he asked.Mbali burst into laughter. "And what makes you think that I'd tell you anything?" she taunted. "I'm not playing fucking games. Tell me who sent you—or I'll put a bullet through your dome." he growled. "Don't threaten me with a good time, Playboy." Mbali blew him a kiss. Antonio struck her across the head. She stumbled back. "Is this your way of sending a message? Because I won in Kayland?" he asked. She spat at his feet. "Like I give a shit." Mbali replied. "Looks like you won't cooperate." he aimed at her head. "So, I'll put you out of your misery." He pulled the trigger— Click, but nothing. He pulled again. Click. Click. Then Antonio saw the gun had no magazine. Mbali laughed—victoriously. "You really think I work with guns?" she mocked. "Oh no, no, no. The Glock is just for show, baby." Antonio frowned. "Aww. How I love that look of disappointment on your face." she cooed. "Get ready… Because I am the show." Mbali flicked her foot; a vengeance dagger slid out of her heel.
Antonio settled into an orthodox stance, the useless Glock gripped like a weapon. Mbali stood loose and poised. Rapidly, she lunged forward; her slash barely missed his face. Antonio countered with a kick—but she intercepted; her blade kissed his ankle. Antonio stumbled back. The gun clattered onto the road. Mbali smiled. "Toni, Antonio… my little Romeo." she purred. Mbali leapt off the hood, but Antonio caught her arms mid-air and hurled her to the side. She rolled and came up fast. Mbali snatched a rock and threw it. Antonio dodged and drove a brutal gut punch into her midsection. Instantly, she trapped his arm and twisted around his body, then she stabbed the dagger in his thigh. Antonio groaned and kicked her, sending her flying into the side of the car. Inside, Katherine stirred faintly.
Antonio charged with a flying knee into the car—but she dodged with a cartwheel. Antonio rushed… Mbali knocked him with a three-sixty hook kick. His face smashed into the tar. Antonio kicked up, back to his feet. "Aww. You're so persistent." she moaned. "You're one to talk." Antonio spat blood. Their fists collided; hits were exchanged. Surprisingly, Mbali drove the blade into his abdomen. But Antonio pulled her close and smashed into her face. She clutched her nose while stumbling back. Antonio ripped the dagger from his stomach—quickly, he slashed her arms. She ducked and kicked his groin. Antonio dropped to his knees. Mbali followed with a vicious roundhouse, his face planted hard against the road. "They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." she laughed. Antonio tucked. "But your kids? They won't be coming out strong anymore." She laughed menacingly.
Antonio surged up; he tackled her to the ground and straddled her as the dagger skidded inches away. "Hey. At least take me out on a date first." she teased.Antonio answered with his fists. He hammered through her guard; one punch slammed into her ear. Mbali wrapped her glorious legs around his neck and gouged her finger into his eye. Antonio shouted. She tightened her legs. Then he picked her up with one hand, and power-slammed her on the road. Air burst from her lungs. He stomped down… but she rolled away and backflipped to her feet. They froze, bruised and out of breath. Antonio ripped his shirt off; his muscles tensed. "Woo… is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?" She fanned herself. "Papi, why don't we resolve this—maybe I'll even let you fuck me." Mbali blew a kiss. "In your dreams, bitch." he swore. Mbali traced her slim waist and slapped her ass. "This? This is to die for, Papi." she said.
Katherine's eyes opened slowly. The headlight bleached the road ahead. Two people circled each other. Finally, Mila's cries tore through her. "Mi—" Katherine gasped. Mila was there… red-faced, but strapped in safely. Relief hit her so hard she nearly blacked out again. She fumbled with the seatbelt until it released.
"It'd be such a waste. to kill a hot man like you." Mbali licked her lips. "Flattered. But you're insane." he said.Mbali launched forward—Antonio knocked her back. He rushed after her, but she flipped away and rebounded off the hood; she spun with a kick that hurt his neck. Antonio leapt in; he smashed both fists that sent Mbali to the ground. Antonio mounted her; his fists rained down on her. Mbali's guard weakened. He had no end to his punches. Abruptly… "Toni!" Katherine cried. He froze mid-strike. Antonio scrambled off Mbali and rushed to her. "Kathy… are you okay? Mila… where's Mila?" he asked. "We're fine." Katherine whispered. "Thank God. I thought I lost you." he wept. She cupped his face, then they kissed slowly. "Come on. We need to get out of…"BANG!
Katherine screamed as Antonio dropped; blood oozed from one knee. Mbali stood behind them— a smile on her face. "Move away from him, bitch. He's mine." she ordered.Antonio was stunned. "How? I knocked you out." he said. "You did. Hell of a punch. But you didn't mean to finish me. All because of this stupid bitch." She pointed the gun at Katherine. "But… There was no magazine." Antonio rasped. Mbali peeled her bra back just enough. "You forgot to check a lady's cupboard." Two magazines were taped beneath her breast. Antonio tried to rise… BANG!
The second shot tore into his other leg. He collapsed back. "No—please!" Katherine dropped over him. "Aww, Cute." Mbali cooed. "But if you don't move, I'll end your little girl next." she threatened. Grief hollowed in her eyes. "Aww… Mommy's gonna' cry?" Mbali mocked.
"Kathy. It's okay. Take Mila. Go back into town—" he struggled to say. "No." Katherine cried. "Please. For our daughter. Keep her safe." he begged. Mbali yawned and shot into the sky. "Jesus. Enough. Either fuck already or get to dying." she said. Mbali aimed at Katherine. "Listen here, 'Kathy,' how about you fuck off. You're starting to piss me off."
"Wait—" Antonio forced his body upright despite the pain. "You're here for me, right? Let them go. And I'll surrender." he proposed. "Surrender? Who told you that you ever had a choice to begin with?" she giggled. "You're still breathing because I allow it." Mila's cries got louder. She aimed at the car. "Little Ms Romeo over there might be worth the interrogation."
"Please—no. I'll do anything. Anything. Just leave my daughter alone. Please." Katherine pleaded. Mbali lowered the gun. "Fine. I'll make an exception. They can go. But Romeo over here stays." she said. "But—"BANG! The shot tore through Katherine's arm. She screamed and collapsed. "I said you can leave. No buts." Antonio dragged himself forward. "Let them… go." BANG! BANG! Both shots ripped through his feet. Katherine threw herself over him again. "I don't have time for this bullshit. Move. Or I'll end you right here!" Mbali yelled. Katherine backed away slowly. Blood pooled beneath Antonio's legs. "It's okay, Kathy. Go. Just… know that I fucked around when I shouldn't have, I dragged you into this mess, and I'm sorry, please Kathy, know that I'll always love you." he wheezed.
"I—I love you too." she wept. Katherine limped to the car; she wrenched Mila from the baby seat. Mila's cries softened as she held her close. "Leave, bitch." Mbali swore.
Katherine did not look back. She marched off. Behind her, Mbali stood over Antonio. "You like the view from down there?" she sat on his groin. Antonio's vision was fading. The muzzle of her gun hovered inches from his face. Then, she pulled a burner out her bra, she dialed. It rang… Antonio kept his eyes on her—he refused to close them. Mbali pressed the phone to her ear. "Max. I've got him."