While Diana was still weighing how to deal with Axel, Axel himself was already strategizing how to handle Gotham in the coming days.
He sat in his boss chair, feet propped on the desk, swaying slightly as he tapped his thigh with a finger.
"Victor," he said suddenly, turning to the man standing behind him, "do we have any skilled demolition experts in the gang? We should, right?"
"Of course," Victor replied without hesitation. "Demolition experts are indispensable for any gang that wants to run big operations. From blowing up the Mayor's mansion to raiding bank vaults, there isn't a place they wouldn't be needed. Beyond demolition, we have actuaries, mechanics, accountants, and lawyers. These are all critical for a legitimate operation. Even though we haven't done anything major in years, the foundation is solid. Carmine has always paid attention to these things."
Victor pulled out his phone, signaling readiness to call the relevant personnel. Axel rolled his eyes.
"Damn it. Even gangs have to be 'legitimate' these days. Never mind that—do you remember what I have planned for tomorrow, Buddy?"
"Of course. Tomorrow, the Sky Rail; the day after, City Hall; next, Arkham Asylum on Naihe Island; and finally, Wayne Tower," Victor said, excitement glinting in his eyes.
Victor's enthusiasm was no surprise. Among the Falcone Family, he loved chaos the most. Oswald was more business-minded, Fish a broker, Maroni a drug dealer—but Victor thrived on audacious undertakings.
Axel grinned at the fiery Victor, clapping his hands.
"Well said, Buddy. Changing Gotham's color in seven days—that's audacious. But that's what makes it fun. Contact the demolition experts immediately. Have them draft a blueprint for the Sky Rail before tonight. No, not just the Sky Rail—calculate all targets and make a list of required explosives. Then contact the arms dealer to secure all the bombs needed. And set aside some for me; I'll use them personally. With all my talents, the perfect role is a suicide bomber. Can't waste potential, haha!"
Victor quickly dialed, relaying instructions. After the call, he leaned in to Axel.
"Boss, there's an issue. Our usual arms dealer, Davis, has close ties to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the CIA. We got our supplies directly from him. But after last night, it seems the military is intentionally cutting off our supply. Davis was evasive on the phone. We should investigate his whereabouts."
"You handle that yourself, Victor," Axel interrupted, patting him on the shoulder. "We've only known each other two days, but I trust you. Don't bother me with small problems. If Davis isn't available, does that mean we can't get weapons? Ridiculous. There are countless people waiting to make money. I know another arms dealer anyway."
He pulled a business card from his pocket and dialed.
At that moment, Selina walked in, swaying her hips. She pushed Victor aside, slinging her arm around Axel's shoulder.
"Liv's remains are probably gone for good. Your thugs fished over twenty cement barrels for me, but all we got were rotten corpses," she said.
"Ha, interesting. Like opening blind boxes," Axel quipped, patting Selina's butt. "Talk later. I need to make a call."
The call connected, and Axel casually put it on speaker.
"Hello, this is Fezi Model Agency. Are you interested in the modeling industry? Please provide your gender, age, and body measurements. Male applicants must report downstairs measurements…"
"Shit!" Axel exclaimed, hanging up and glaring helplessly at Selina, who was practically collapsing with laughter, and Victor, stiff with suppressed amusement.
"A model agency? Isn't that a male escort service? I've heard of Fezi. Gotham's top establishment for male home services. Short on cash, my dear?" Selina teased.
"Cut it out. I made a mistake. This business card came from an idiot this morning," Axel muttered, deleting the call record. He stood, phone in pocket.
"Forget the phone. Let's find the person directly. On the way, we'll check out Gotham's Sky Rail. I'm blowing that thing up tomorrow; can't ride it for the first time when it's already destroyed, can I?"
He waved at Victor and Selina, and the three left the Minus Forty-Four Degrees Secret Club. Passing the Iceberg Lounge's main stage, thugs drank heavily. Last night's war had unleashed their bloodlust, and Axel's morning display of tearing apart the Gotham Police Chief had intensified it. Gunshots, fighting, and even intimate sounds filled the air.
Selina's mood, however, soured amidst the debauchery. Passing a dancer mounted on stage, she casually squeezed the woman's breast.
"Honey, you've gotten bigger these past few days, haven't you?"
"Of course! These two beauties cost me three thousand!" the woman replied, grabbing Axel's sleeve. "Boss Axel, want to join?"
"Join your mother! Who are you trying to disgust here?" Axel snapped, pinching the woman and kicking a busy thug.
Finally, Axel led Victor and Selina out of the Iceberg Lounge.
Gotham's gray sky stretched above them. Victor sighed.
"Axel, last night stirred things up. The gang's businesses won't fare well for a few days. Carmine took all liquid funds, so we're operating on credit."
Axel pursed his lips, indifferent.
"Don't worry. Oswald will handle it."
Looking ahead, Axel's eyes focused on Wayne Sky Rail. Thirty years ago, it had been a key Wayne Group project, now stretching across Gotham so that no corner of the city was more than a few hundred meters from a station. The three didn't drive—they walked directly to it.
Minutes later, they climbed five or six stories to the platform. Selina twitched her nose, sensing something off. Her gaze fell on a woman standing nearby.
The woman noticed Selina's stare, turned, and briefly smiled politely at Axel and his group.
Selina leaned close to Axel.
"Axel, that woman's strange. She's not a regular here—I'm sure of it. And if she's not a regular, an ordinary woman wouldn't be at the Iceberg Lounge at this hour."
She glanced at the woman again, uneasy.
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